Chapter Six

A Death Served Cold

 

 

 

Tally woke to the distinct feeling of something being wrong. Still in serpent form, huddled in his blanket nest, he tried to wake up enough to sort through it. Vague hurt still from the rejection the night before, but he understood Haru’s concerns, so it wasn’t that.

No. He wasn’t going to give in to unspecified anxieties and the whispered rumors of precognition still being in his bloodline. All nonsense. It was so easy to be anxious about a number of things, then point to it later to say See? I knew something wasn’t right.

While it would’ve been nice to stay snaked and snuggled nice and warm in his room, Tally was now officially lord of the manor. Responsibilities didn’t allow for wallowing in bed. A group of lijun teens were coming to help clean up the grounds after the party, since Tally had promised to pay them for their time. He still had to supervise and help with some of the heavier lifting as the responsible adult. With a reptile sneeze he regained his human form, threw on some old clothes and braided his hair back. No reason to shower yet if he was just going to go out and get dirty.

The young people had just started to pull up as Tally was gathering supplies out on the front porch. He smiled and raised a hand in greeting. The Eberhardt girls, all three of them, piled out of Mindy’s rusty Jeep. Justin Tripp, who had probably only showed up because of his crush on Mindy, arrived with his friends Carrie Sommers and Tyler Hastings, Barry’s oldest. Three more cars followed theirs. Peregrines, crows, boars, raccoons, kestrels—it warmed Tally’s heart to see the kids willing to work together without regard to their lijun types or any of their parents’ politics.

“Morning, everyone!” Tally called out as they approached. “Coffee and pastries in the kitchen if you want to grab some and I’ll meet you out back. We’ll start by the lake where all the cake and champagne was.”

There were some groans and some good-natured grumbling about tipsy adults, but the kids trooped inside for the promised breakfast items. The bit of hurt from the previous evening evaporated as Tally breathed in the crisp morning air and allowed himself a moment’s peace to gaze out over the mist-wreathed trees. It was a beautiful place. He was going to be married soon. He was a lucky, lucky man.

His good mood deflated a bit when he herded the youngsters out back.

“Man,” Carrie breathed. “If we made a mess like this at a party, we’d be grounded for a month.”

“Grownups do get a little carried away sometimes.” Tally handed out garbage bags. “All right. Pick up any trash first. Anything that’s glass or china, please take to the kitchen. Nature will take care of cake crumbs, of course, but any large dropped pieces, please include in the trash. Justin, Tyler, once we get the tables cleared, help me get them folded and out front for pickup. If everyone else could do the same with the chairs, please.”

Cleanup went quickly with so many hands, the kids talking and teasing each other as they worked. Tally would’ve asked them to keep it down, but Hal and Che were sleeping in the closest bedrooms. On the outside chance the noise managed to wake their lazy butts up, Tally wasn’t going to be heartbroken.

Once the main party venue had been picked up, Tally sent his helpers off to assigned areas to pick up any remaining trash while he rolled the rented punch fountain out front and took the lakeshore for himself. Not too bad, generally. A dropped napkin here. A piece of streamer there. He was humming to himself, enjoying the quiet, when he stopped at an odd sight past a stand of willows.

Ed Cohen’s work truck was still parked, not too far from where the fireworks company had parked their trucks. Sure, Ed could’ve had too much to drink and decided to sleep it off there, but he was a widower with little ones. That wouldn’t be like him at all. Come to think of it, Tally hadn’t seen anything of Ed since the beginning of the party when he’d come to offer congratulations. That was also odd. He was a typical opossum lijun, a little awkward but sociable.

Something’s not right. Disconcerted, Tally jogged closer to the silver-gray panel truck and checked the cab. Empty. He hurried past the Cohen’s Pest Control logo on the side with its red expired termite. The back doors were open, a foot with a dress shoe visible just under the right-hand door.

“Ed? You all…” Tally’s inquiry died away when he caught sight of Ed sprawled on the floor in the back. His suit jacket was rucked up under him. His eyes stared empty and sightless at the ceiling. “Oh Gods…Ed.”

Footsteps crunched through the leaves and a young male voice called from behind him, “Urusar Bastille? The rental company’s here for the table and stuff. Should we—”

The horrified gasp had Tally whirling around. Tyler Hastings stood not three feet away with his mouth hanging open and all the blood draining from his face. “Tyler, I need you to get the others to the house.”

“Holy shit,” Tyler whispered. His terrified gaze bounced between Tally and Ed’s body. “Holy shit!”

“Tyler, wait!” Tally called out but the kid had already raced off, huffing and whimpering. He’d have to see to that later. Getting the police to the scene was the priority. He fumbled his phone from his jeans pocket and dialed with shaking fingers. “Damn it, what happened here? Hello? Yes. This is Tally Bastille. I need to report a death on my property.”

Within ten minutes he heard the sirens, though it felt much longer standing in the peaceful grove with Ed’s body. He was ushered back when the coroner and the first deputies arrived, trying to answer all the questions shouted at him. Did you touch anything? Did you move anything? Is this how you found him? How long ago was that? Of course he hadn’t touched anything. He wasn’t an idiot.

“Best get up to the house, Mr. Bastille.” Sheriff Amick had arrived, his movements surprisingly careful for a man of his bulk as he took a cursory look at the scene. “Let us do our job here. I’ll be up to talk to everyone.”

Tally nodded and jogged up to the house, gathering his cleaning crew as he ran.

“Tyler’s gone, Urusar Bastille,” Carrie said, backing up as Tally approached. “He said you killed someone and he wasn’t going to be next.”

“For Gods’ sakes, Carrie. Of course I didn’t kill anyone. Into the house, please. I’m sure the police will want to know if you saw anything unusual this morning.”

“But someone’s dead?”

Tally stopped and turned to face the teenagers gathered in an anxious knot around him. “Yes. Ed Cohen died in the back of his truck. I don’t know any more yet. Remember who’s in the room when you talk to the police. This may be a human problem. It may be a lijun problem. No speculating, all right?”

Once he had nods from each of them, he dashed ahead to the house, leapt up the stairs and opened the doors to the bedrooms where Che, Hal and Lahi were staying. “Up. Up. Come on. I need someone to run to the cottage for Mom and Dad. The police are here. Stop hissing at me, Hal. Ed Cohen’s dead. Move.”

He waited until his siblings had thundered down the steps before he stepped over to Haru’s suite and tapped on the door. “Haru?” he called softly. “I need you to come out. Something terrible’s happened.”

Several loud thuds, then there was some creative swearing—while it might not be English, but Tally knew swearing when he heard it, didn’t matter the language—more thuds followed, and finally Haru appeared at the door, breathless, tangled hair flying about his bare shoulders and torso. Completely unkempt and exactly like Haru. His Haru. Open. Not concerned with what was proper.

“Sorry, it’s urgent.”

“What’s wrong?” Haru stiffened, his eyes downcast. Did his cheeks darken?

“It’d be better if we—” Tally motioned to the room. “Please.”

“Yes, okay.” Haru stepped back, allowing him in.

Chaos. The room was in chaos. Tally couldn’t believe all the clothes strewn about. The furisode, its underthings. The obi completely unraveled. Haru’s cheeks darkened further, and he began to pick up, apologizing.

“Sorry, I, sorry. I ottered out.”

“Haru, please, you don’t have to—there are more important things to worry about.”

An audible swallow escaped Haru, and when Tally looked closer, a visible tremor shook his chest as his breathing rabbited.

“I don’t care about the room. It’s fine. I’ll help you pick up later.” Tally took the clothes out of Haru’s arms and tossed them on the chair. He pulled his otter close, petting his back. That’s what they did when trying to comfort, didn’t they? “I’m sorry. Really.”

“You are not mad?”

“Never.” Ooh, they were so close, and Haru wasn’t pushing him away. The way Haru’s hands dug into his back made Tally feel like the luckiest lijun there was. How to tell him there was a clan death?

Haru smelled of fireworks and lake. Someone had definitely ottered out last night. Tally understood. He’d needed his serpent after last night’s dismissal. Was Haru as frustrated as he was?

“Listen, I have some bad news. I found one of our clan members by the lake during clean up. The police are here.”

“Oh, oh no. Did they—were they?” The catch in Haru’s throat made Tally’s heart ache. “Did they drown?”

“I don’t know what happened yet. Why don’t you grab some clothes and meet me in my suite?”

Tally had just changed into a pair of clean jeans and a sweater when Haru peeked in, his instincts good enough that he didn’t knock. He had brushed his hair and tied it back in some semblance of respectability, and was wearing the green corduroys with a cream button-down and an oversized black cardigan.

The outfit gave him a vulnerable, soft appearance and Tally just wanted to wrap him in blankets and hide him away from the ugliness downstairs. He took Haru’s hand gently. “They’re going to ask where everyone was last night. I just want to warn you ahead of time that the police will most likely be polite but they may not be friendly. I don’t know much yet. Only that the victim is Ed, one of the opossum lijun who came for the party.”

“Does he have a wife? Children?”

Tally’s breath hitched on the answer. “Three little opossums. Their mother died two years ago. I have to find out who has them.”

He took Haru by the hand and led him downstairs. Voices drifted out from the front room, Mom and Dad. When he turned the corner, he was surprised to find everyone there, all the local siblings along with the sheriff, human, and his senior deputy, cat lijun.

“Morning, Sheriff Amick, Melissa.” Tally stopped just over the threshold, neither moving toward a chair not releasing Haru’s hand. “Any idea what happened to Ed?”

“Mr. Bastille,” the sheriff peered over top his glasses at Tally. “Nice of you and your, ah, boyfriend—”

“Fiancé.”

Sheriff Amick neither acknowledged or apologized. “To join us. Need to ask you some questions if you don’t mind. Deputy Kincaid, please clear the room.”

“Now wait just a minute, Robert,” Mom said as she set her coffee down with a definite clunk.

“No, Kara, I’m sorry. This is serious business. I need to talk to these two without interference, please.”

“It’s all right, Mom.” Gods. Ed hadn’t just died. This was a suspicious death. “We’re happy to answer whatever questions might help.”

The sheriff waited until Tally’s and Haru’s families had filed out before he pointed with his pen to the sofa opposite him. “Have a seat, gentlemen.”

Tally took Haru’s hand in both of his as they sat, maybe to reassure Haru, maybe for the warmth Tally felt seeping out of his own body. “Can you tell me what happened?”

“Understand there was quite the party here last night,” Sheriff Amick began, not looking up from his notetaking.

So far, nothing outlandish. “Yes. It was our engagement party.”

The sheriff glanced up over his glasses again. “You had pest issues at this party, Mr. Bastille?”

Okay, that went off the rails quickly. “Ah, no.”

“Any idea why Ed Cohen was here with his truck, then?”

With his…? “Well, yes. I suppose. Ed was invited, of course. I think his work truck is his only vehicle right now.”

“Hmm.” The sheriff sat back to stare at him directly. “You in the habit of inviting the help to fancy parties out here?”

“Not sure I like that implication, Sheriff. I’ve known Ed since we were in grade school together.”

“As you say. Witnesses state you left the party early, Mr. Bastille. Can you tell me where you were between nine and midnight?”

“In my room.” But Haru wasn’t in his. Oh Gods.

“Can anyone corroborate that?”

“I can,” Haru replied, rather frostily, and slid his arm in Tally’s. His normally bright eyes had cooled and narrowed. “It was our engagement party.”

The sheriff’s nose crinkled in obvious distaste. “So you…” He consulted his notes. “Mr. Tanaka, you were with Mr. Bastille the entire night?”

“Where else would I be?”

“Just answer the question, Mr. Tanaka,” Melissa snapped out.

“I was with my loving fiancé, all night. Rather happily.” Haru nuzzled Tally’s neck, squinting over at the sheriff and Melissa.

Oooh. Otters and cats. Not the best of friends.

Sheriff Amick spoke without even glancing up. “Did either of you see a bright white flash over by the lake?

Tally shook his head. “I know there were fireworks, but I wasn’t looking outside.”

Haru stiffened, ever so subtly that only Tally would’ve noticed. “A flash? I could not say. We were occupied.”

The lie protected both of them, in a way, but there wasn’t any secret about where the suspicion fell here. Haru had lied for Tally, not prevaricated, but outright lied, not once but twice. He never wanted his love to do that for him but this once… His throat closed up a bit and he had to blink back tears.

“How well did you know Ed, Mr. Bastille?” Sheriff Amick had returned to scribbling.

“Fairly well.” Tally shook his head. “We don’t see as much of him since Jackie died.”

“Anyone you can think of who might wish him harm? Someone he was having an argument with?”

The air turned to ice in Tally’s lungs. “You think he was murdered.”

“Too early and not enough information to speculate. In my professional opinion, it doesn’t look like a natural death, but that’s all I’m willing to say right now. The question?”

“Oh.” Tally blinked, trying to get enough breath to speak. “No. I mean, not that I know of. Ed did his job, did it well, took care of his kids. I don’t think he had time for much else.”

Sheriff Amick gave his notepad one last tap with his pen before he heaved himself from his chair. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Bastille. Mr. Tanaka. If you think of anything, a noise you heard, something that didn’t seem right, give us a call.” He waved his hand at them in an almost dismissive gesture. “And congratulations on the…whatever this is.”

While he strode out, Melissa stood, spearing Tally with narrowed eyes. “Cyanotic, Tally. I’m willing to wait for the coroner results, but you know how that looks, don’t you?”

“I know. My family’s all accounted for?”

“They are. Multiple witnesses put them at the party. You’re the only one who wasn’t in plain sight.” Melissa fidgeted with her hat. “How am I supposed to handle this? A lijun death and I’m supposed to work with the Urusar.”

“But your Urusar is a person of interest,” Tally said as a cold ball settled in his stomach. “I didn’t do this, Melissa, but I know you have to go by actual evidence. Keep me informed as much as you can. For the rest, you’ll have to make reports to the senior-most council members. Clement’s neutral enough that no one will worry about bias and Tyra’s more likely to be fair than some others.”

“All right.” Melissa’s lips pressed into a thin, unhappy line. “So long as you understand that I’m going to do what the job dictates. There’s a reason uktena are scary.”

Tally managed a curt nod before she stalked after her superior, and he finally released the breath he’d not quite been able to let go of the whole time. Gods. Oh Gods. This is so so bad.

“What did she mean?” Haru whispered.

“How much do you know about the uktena, really? Not the wild stories, the myths, but the actual biology?”

“None. Just the myths. Like the flash.”

Tally puffed his cheeks out with a long breath. “Yes. The flash. There is a bright crest on our foreheads, it does…it can flash a blinding white under the right circumstances. One other thing you’ve probably heard is true. Uktena are poisonous. We don’t have a fang delivery system like other venomous snakes, though. It’s a, um, gaseous delivery system.”

“Your breath is not that bad.”

Somehow Haru managed a completely straight face after that remark. That was talent. “Ha. Well. We have specialized venom sacs right behind the jaws. A certain contracting of muscle, and thank goodness it’s hard to do so it doesn’t happen by accident, sends out poisonous vapors. The attacker, or victim I suppose, depending on the person, essentially dies of suffocation. Cyanosis, like Melissa said.”

“I see. She suspects one of our family? You, specifically.”

“Me, specifically. That’s what I was getting, yes.”

Haru closed his eyes, just for a moment, but when he opened them again—Tally saw the determination in them. “We will protect what is ours. This clan. This family. You.”

“Thank you.” Tally wrapped Haru in his arms and kissed the top of his head. “My fierce, brave otter. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

 

* * * *

 

“Of course I defended him!” Haru huffed out. “I practically sat in his lap to defend him.”

Otōusan and Okaasan both frowned, but it was Mother who spoke. “We do wish you had handled that differently. Did you have to imply you had relations before the wedding?”

“It was the best I could do.” Under pressure. Sammy had understood Haru’s need for discretion when he’d talked with her.

“Not good enough. You are Satislit. What if this gets back to Urusar Akaike?”

“I think he will understand there were more important things than my nonexistent virtue!”

“Haru, don’t yell at your mother.” His father’s voice was hard, unyielding. Sounded very much like ‘I will tell the Urusar if you don’t behave’ kind of tone. It had cowed Haru many a time. So many times. Some bruises did not heal so easily.

“Gomen’nasai, Otōusan, Okaasan.”

“Better. Remember your position here.”

How can I forget?

“We don’t want the Bastilles to think you’re getting cold feet.”

“What?” Oh, the hitch in their voice, it gave them away, but his parents couldn’t be serious. Hiding their face was Haru’s only option.

Mother sighed. The sound heavy, serious.

“It’s one thing to defend him—the humans didn’t seem so keen on the Bastilles—but are you saying you still want me to marry him?”

A long, drawn-out sigh, followed by Father’s chair creaking, made Haru turn to face their parents. Otōusan was frowning, like usual, his hands clasped behind his back. He had that look on his face. The one where he thought Haru was being particularly dense. But they had hoped, honestly believed, there must be a spark of doubt within their parents since they wanted to talk. Talking meant concern. Haru wanted to think it had been concern for them, and that their parents had convinced Urusar Akaike to call off the contract.

“Tally is suspected of murder! Murder!” Haru’s hands fisted at their sides. “It’s one thing to defend him against a human, it’s another to expect me to go through with the wedding. There has got to be some kind of get out of jail card.”

“Haru—”

“Check the contract!” Haru pulled away from Father and started pacing. They needed to get away. How could their parents expect them to stay? “No marriage due to murder! It’s got to be in there.”

“We don’t know anything. The police have not said the opossum lijun was murdered,” Okaasan replied. Her words froze a piece of his heart. “Besides you were with him. You know he’s innocent. We know he’s innocent. It’s the humans we have to convince.”

Ouch. Oh fucking ouch. The chasm in their chest burned. But their parents really didn’t know. Their mother’s words hurt worse because Haru couldn’t walk back on their claim without exposing themself or Tally. That would make matters more complicated, and Haru did not want questions as to where they’d spent the night last night, or what they’d been doing. Those would be uncomfortable to answer. The less others knew, the better. As long as everyone thought they had been together, the clan, Tally and Haru were safe.

“Have you considered what Tally and his family are?”

“Yes, when we signed the contract. Just because you’re scared doesn’t mean they are as ruthless as you think.”

“Uktena are not otters. We are two different kind of lijun.”

Otōusan shook his head. “We’re still parts of the same. Besides, I am surprised to hear such talk out of you.”

“You are not the one marrying him!”

“I told you before the Imsi Tamgradat not to screw this up.” Otōusan grabbed Haru’s arm. “He is a good match, Haru. We will never get a better one for you. The Kwebabaids, the land, the money, this is not a contract the clan can walk away from.”

“Please, don’t hold back, Otōusan.” Way to tell me how worthless I am. That my only worth is that of a Satislit.

“This is your duty.”

“I know! But—”

“Tally is kind. He has provided your every silly request. This house. The comfort you have been given. All because of his strength and position. The fact he believes you are Em’halafi, destined, means you will be treated fairly. This match gives you just as much as it does the clan.”

“But—” Not love.

“You’ve already lain with him.”

“I never said that,” Haru snapped. Not with Tally, they hadn’t.

Father scowled. “Then why did you say you did?”

“Because.” The conversation was going in circles. “It was easy.”

“Then you should have found a better lie. It isn’t proper for a Satislit to make such implications.”

“Otōusan. Aren’t you a little bit concerned what kind of alliance the clan has made?”

“This argument is pointless,” Otōusan replied. Father motioned to Mother and she stood, moving toward the suite doors. “The wedding is in two days. We need to pick up Urusar Akaike. Don’t run your mouth when he gets here. Hopefully this match is salvageable if Urusar Bastille doubts you. You must be on your best behavior, Haru. You know what will happen if you fail your duties.”

“I never said I wouldn’t do them.”

“Then start acting the part!”

“I have been!”

Otōusan snorted. “Barely. If he sends you back, you only have yourself to blame. Of course, you can’t come back.”

Haru flinched. They knew. They did know the stakes. How much their parents would loathe the shame of Haru failing—again. How angry they’d been with their ‘childish rebellions’. Except this wasn’t another Imsi they had tried to sabotage. This wager was much bigger than anything Haru had ever had to deal with before. A marriage. Haru’s life. Hearing the cold-blooded way their parents sided with the Urusar, Haru thought they were better suited to be nure-onna like Misaki, not otters.

Banishment. All of them hung it over Haru like an executioner’s blade. One wrong step and they’d be cut off. Ice, thick and poisonous, stilled their heart.

Mother cracked open the door. “We thought you were finally accepting your position here.”

“I was—am.”

“Good. Your sisters made decent matches. I don’t understand why you’ve been so stubborn.”

Father nodded. “I won’t ask again, Haru. The clan needs this match. Do not dishonor the clan who raised you. Your training wasn’t cheap.”

“I won’t, Otōusan.” Haru swallowed back the scream building inside them.

“As long as you understand.”

“I do.” Perfectly.

“Now stay out of trouble while we pick Urusar Akaike-san up. You can do that, can’t you?”

“Yes.”

Otōusan and Okaasan swept out of the room, leaving it cooler rather than heated from the fight. The walls towered over Haru, looming over them, caging Haru in. Breathing hurt. The subarctic burn encased their heart and lungs, convincing them they’d shatter any moment. Wouldn’t that be just perfect?

Death by heart failure.

Haru curled up on the wingback, desperately trying to hold themself together—literally and emotionally. Ottering out right now would only upset their parents. Their anger would only fuel Urusar Akaike’s if any of them thought Haru was trying to shirk their duties.

Hope was a cruel thing to have.

There was a knock at the door, tentative. When it opened, Tally poked his head through. Haru almost threw a pillow at him, unable to face their Xatiba. Their jailer. It was a shame he was so good-looking, because Haru could at least appreciate his physicality. Though, the naiveté of someone so astute in his business dealings astounded Haru. How could someone from such a forward-thinking society actually believe in Em’halafi?

“Um, hi? Is it okay for me to come in?” Tally asked, still holding the door handle. “I heard…yelling.”

“My apologies, Urusar Bastille.” Haru automatically slid out of their chair and went into a senrei. How long had they kept Tally waiting? “My”—heartless—“parents had some concerns about the investigation. They could not quite keep up with all the questioning.”

Tally’s eyebrows had climbed his forehead. “I’m sorry about that. It must have worried them quite a bit.” If Tally realized Haru was bullshitting, he was apparently opting for polite fiction instead of calling him on it. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, Ur—my Argaze. Thank you for your concern. It brings me pleasure.”

Behave. Behave. Don’t show how scared you are. Stop shaking. Haru had to be the Satislit their clan wanted. Had to. They couldn’t afford to have Tally suspect how conflicted they felt. They had to keep the lies of last night going. Haru peeked up from their position on the floor, trying to gauge what the snake was thinking. Each beat of their heart hurt, cracks breaking deep, etching a web into their heart.

“Argaze?”

Haru’s heart rabitted. “Have I done something to displease you? Would you rather me not call you Argaze yet? We are not yet married. It was forward of me. My apologies.” Their voice cracked a bit at the end. Opting for submission was probably better, so Haru turned their gaze on Tally’s feet and shut up.

Tally’s voice was soft, a shade husky when he spoke. “It’s… I don’t mind. Certainly a step up from Urusar. Haru, I wish… When it’s just us, there’s no need to be so formal. I know why, in front of your parents. In public. I do understand. But when it’s just us, could you call me Tally?”

“As you please—Tally.”

There might have been a sigh, just the slightest one. “I’d like it to be as you please.”

“I am sorry? I do not understand.”

The feet came closer, then Tally surprised Haru by taking a knee in front of them, one hand out. What had they done wrong to make his Xabita get on the floor with them? Haru struggled to understand what was wanted of them, but they had obviously missed something.

“Urusar Bastille?”

This time Haru heard the sigh. “Tally. Just Tally.”

“Yes.”

“How do I— Right.” That wasn’t a happy sound. Right. The word came out more like a swear. “Your gratitude pleases me. Now—” The hand came back. “How about making ourselves more comfortable?”

Haru let Tally pull him up and lead them to the sofa by the fireplace. There was wood in the stove, but it wasn’t lit. Early days of October yet. Fall had just started. The Harvest Moon was two days away. Haru found this time of year to be some of their favorite weather, only second to winter. Snow slides were the best. The den would be a good spot for one—lots of fun for Haru and their pups.

“Mind if I light a fire?”

Oh, right, for Tally the room had to be freezing. “Yes, right away, if you let me—”

“I’m asking you, Haru. Is it okay if I light a fire in your room?”

Was this a trick question? Urusars did not ask permission. This kind of behavior from their Xabita outright confused Haru, and caused them to worry for the Bastille clan. Any American lijun, if they had to be honest.

One of those sighs came again. Haru was quickly associating it with frustration. It wasn’t like the ones their parents gave, but it made Haru nervous just the same. They picked at the tassels on the woven blanket. They needed to give an answer that made Tally think Haru wanted it, whatever it was, and make sure the Urusar was being properly taken care of. Difficult bastard.

“Fires are nice.”

Tally smiled, big and broad, like Haru had done something special.

After poking and prodding the fire until a warm orange glow filled the room, Tally stood close for a few minutes, not saying anything, and held his hands to the flames. The silence was actually nice. Tally wasn’t trying to fill it with anything, make Haru say something which could potentially be disastrous, and they could just be.

When Tally finally turned, his gaze settled on Haru’s, and the smile was back. Laugh lines were just starting around his mouth. The glow warmed their Xabita’s hard lines and softened the expression on his face. He pointed to the sofa.

“May I join you?”

It was easier to nod than to reply. Haru had a feeling it would only upset Tally.

“Thank you.”

The smile got bigger.

Tally settled close, but not too close. His hand could touch the back of Haru’s neck if he wanted to, which apparently he did. His large palm rested right underneath Haru’s hairline, just the solid feel of his hand against Haru’s skin, the touch more erotic than what Haru expected. Being so exposed, in such a vulnerable position, made it hard to concentrate.

“This is nice,” Tally murmured. “The fire.”

Haru nodded again, unable to find the proper words to reply with. Silence was better. They couldn’t stick their foot in their mouth if they didn’t talk.

“Sitting here, with you.”

This was something they needed to agree with. “Yes.”

Tally’s thumb pressed into Haru’s neck, drawing circles, doing the same with his fingertips.

“Haru, I, uh… I want us to be happy. Me to be happy. You to be happy. I hope I am providing you with the support you need. I know I took you away from your home, your teaching position, for this marriage.”

Haru waited, because they had a feeling that Tally was trying to say something important.

“It’s unfair you had to give so much up for me. I mean, I know we’re Em’halafi so we’ll make it work, but I am sorry my position meant so much upheaval for you.” Tally’s thumb circled harder, his grip tighter. “Everything happened so fast, it had to be stressful, overwhelming. And Ed’s death, that couldn’t have made things easier. I know it’s all different here. Not what you’re used to.”

What could they say? Anything Haru could think of would be accusatory. Then why did you buy me? That wouldn’t go over well.

“So, what I’m trying to say is, if there is anything, anything at all I can do to make life here easier for you, then please say so. Just tell me.”

It sounded sincere?

“If there are certain channels we can get here from Japan. We can get those.” Tally’s fingers thumped against Haru’s neck. “Or books. Or talking. If talking helps. Or, or like the bath. Anything that would help your otter, we can change.”

“My otter?”

“Yes, like how we have stoves in the suites because of our serpents. If your otter needs anything, I will make sure we get it. I just want you happy.”

The look Tally gave Haru was so expectant, their mind went blank. The fact Tally was trying to fix things was generous, but Haru resented it, erroneous as it were. Money couldn’t fix their problems. Tally couldn’t buy Haru.

But he already did, didn’t he?

“What can I do, Haru?”

“Rocks, for my den.” Where did that come from?

“Your den?” Tally glanced over to the far door. “As in the bathroom?”

“No, I found a spot by the lake. It would be nice for me and the pups, but I need to build it out. Some rocks, wood, so I can make it properly.”

“I’d be more than happy to get you some rocks. If you show me—”

“Could I not? I mean, not yet? It is nice, to have a space just for me, for right now. A place where I could just be? I do not mean to push you away.” Though I kind of do. “I just need a place to otter and not worry.”

The pinch around Tally’s eyes lessened and his expression softened. “Of course, I understand. Everyone needs their own special spot. I have my own for the summers, when my serpent needs to sun.”

“Thank you.” Haru found they meant it, too.

“No need for thanks. It’s what mates do.”

Haru glanced over at Tally. Something in his tone felt vulnerable.

“I want what any Em’halafi have together. A life. A happy one. Shared together. I want to love and be loved.”

The words, familiar, oddly familiar, struck Haru as hopeful. Wistful. Words saying what Haru desperately wanted for themself. When Tally pulled Haru close, settling one hand on their waist, they didn’t have the energy to push Tally away. The humongous busybody who decided they should be wrapped in the blanket as well. They let their head fall against their Xabita’s shoulder and focused on the red embers in the stove, glowing brightly against the chill in the air.

“Yes, do not we all?” Haru whispered as they settled in.

 

* * * *

 

“Cyanosis,” Gun repeated, expression hard and flat. “I’d say it was an accident with the fumigation stuff that Ed carts around, but he was there for the party. In a suit. I mean, I talked to him. Shit.”

With Gunther back in town for the wedding, they’d gone out, just the five of them. No significant others. Marnie joked that it was the closest Tally would get to having a bachelor party. It was a comfort thing, going out to ‘their’ restaurant, Happy Grazing, the elk-owned vegetarian brewpub they’d all agreed on when they were college-age. The predators had grumbled over eating bunny food, but even Marnie and Gunther found things to like.

“All a little weird,” Pete said as he reached across for a big scoop of hummus. “I mean, if it was something medical, they’d say, right? And if it wasn’t…”

“Who would m-murder Ed?” Lily whispered.

“Did the police question all of you, too?” Tally frowned and set his beer back down.

Marnie shot him a look. “They questioned everyone at the party, Tal. Everyone. Did we see anything, did we hear anything, was Ed having problems with anyone.”

“And?”

“None of us have a clue.” Pete shrugged.

“They asked me if he was having any problems with the Bastilles,” Gun added with an angry snort.

Lily’s eyes flew wide. “They d-didn’t!”

“Sure as hell did.” Gun pushed his falafel around his plate. “Didn’t make any sense at the time. Now that you’ve told us what Melissa said, though? Now it makes sense.”

“They can’t think Tally did it. Or anyone in his family.” Pete patted Tally’s arm. “It had to have been some freak accident, Tal. There’ll be tox reports and stuff.”

“You sound like a police procedural show.” Tally managed a little smile, a sip of beer, though his stomach was sour and wobbly. “Anyway, the kids are with Mrs. Kaufmann for now. Poor baby opossums. But she’s not as young as she was when she was our first-grade teacher, and three little kids are a handful. We’ll have to figure out something permanent for them soon since they don’t have grandparents or uncles and aunts.”

“Sorry,” Gun muttered. “We’re supposed to be celebrating. Didn’t mean to take us down dark roads there.”

Marnie raised her glass. “To the Argaze!”

“To the Satislit!” Pete echoed. “To Tally going off the market, much to the sorrow of humans and lijun everywhere!”

Tally had to laugh at that, finally a lighter moment. “Thank you. I think.”

After a good bit of snickering, Gun finally said, “I have to be honest, Tal. He’s not what I pictured for you.”

“Oh?”

Marnie poked his arm. “Kind of an odd duck, isn’t he? And not what we expected after the dessert raid story.”

“I guess we w-were expecting another S-Sam.” Lily cocked her head at an inquisitive angle.

“He’s—” Tally hesitated. He didn’t want to justify Haru, to feel obliged to explain him to people. But these were his friends. They were only concerned. “Haru’s family…they’re very traditional in a lot of ways. Not like you see in some lijun families here where it’s all about natural this and natural that. But very Japanese traditional. Proper behavior. Correct presentation. Honor attached to family. The Imsi Tamgradat was a little rocky—”

Gun nearly choked on a laugh. “Death wine.”

Pete tried for a straight face, but the snicker still won. “Eels.”

“Shh. Let Tally talk.” Marnie rolled her eyes. “Boys.”

Those moments had been mortifying then, but the horror and embarrassment had faded. “Yes. Right. That’s exactly the point, though. Haru is trying extra hard to be the perfect Satislit in all things. I think…I hope he’ll feel more able to be himself once the wedding’s over and the family goes home.”

“He’s amazingly well put together,” Marnie said. “Just so poised and composed. I think if I was marrying someone in another country, I’d be a wreck.”

“Very traditional, as I said. Trained formally from a young age in all the things necessary for a Japanese Satislit.” Tally took a bigger gulp of beer. In all those things that make me want to get him alone and unwrap him.

“I c-can’t even imagine.” Lily shook her head. “The only thing we got trained in was h-how to operate h-heavy equipment.”

Gun raised a single black eyebrow. “Pete would make a terrible Satislit in Japan.”

“Flower arranging by backhoe.” Marnie clinked glasses with him. “Yeah. Don’t see that happening.”