Chapter 2

Promiscuity is just as common among hara as it was among humans, if not more so. The big difference was, hara don't tend to look on it as a sin. Aruna demands being what they are and hara inclined to feed them, using aruna for magic, healing, and power generation, promiscuity just naturally figures in.

What does not figure in, at least not universally, is the notion of being not simply promiscuous but being multiply committed -- as I was. Among some tribes, it is common for hara, especially powerful ones, to have more than one consort and even to father pearls by multiple consorts. This was not what I had with Fafara and Tishrana, however. Tishrana and I did not simply "share" Fafara; all three of us shared ourselves equally. We were chesnari.

My parents apparently did not fully grasp this. I'd suspected as much, but now, Xela glaring at me and Shridan suddenly handing Devath to me, so that I had to set Ilish down on the ground, the proverbial shit had hit the fan.

"Well, why don't we all go inside," I entreated awkwardly, adjusting Devath's blanket and turning towards the house. "It seems to have grown a bit chilly out here."

Tishrana scooped up Ilish and came up beside me. "They're not happy," he said, using our silent bond. "No kidding," I replied. "Just bear with me, I'll calm them down."

My parents didn't follow immediately, but stood on the lawn having what was quite obviously a heated, if silent, discussion. Fafara lingered behind politely, waiting to escort them, while Adelna looked between me and my parents confusedly. I'm sure my son was wondering what was going on.

I was first inside and took advantage of the opportunity to call out for Kardaram, our cook, who appeared down the hall, popping out of the kitchen. I told him to make dinner ready in an hour, sooner if he could. Next I turned to the door, which Fafara was opening for my parents. I smiled at them, hoping to appease them, but Xela looked at me and shot with me a terse mind message: "Your father and I would like to talk with you -- now."

I scowled. "Can't this wait?" I asked. "At least until after dinner?"

I felt Devath growing uneasy, picking up on my mood, and stroked his hair soothingly. My effort was wasted, however, as immediately my hostling had my hackles up. "No, it can't, " he replied. "Take us somewhere where we can talk. In private."

Tish had already settled down on the couch with Adelna and Ilish, while Fafa had moved to the side bar to prepare some light drinks. I tapped him on the shoulder. "They've asked to speak with me in private," I told him silently. "That doesn't sound good," he replied, not turning his head as he poured the first glass of wine. "I know, but I'll try to be quick," I said.

My parents were still over at the entrance, arms crossed, waiting for me. "Well," I said out loud, "I'm going to take Xela and Shridan out back for a short chat." I stepped across the room over to Tishrana. "Could you please take Devath for me?" Tish held out his arms but Devath squawked and make it clear he didn't want to leave his hostling. I shrugged. "All right, he comes with me then. Enjoy yourselves, we'll be back shortly." Gesturing for my parents to follow, I made off down the hall.

Once in my office, all of us seated, my parents didn't confront with me quite the questions I'd expected, although we did get around to them rather quickly.

"How long since this one hatched?" Shridan asked me.

"Only two days," I said. "He's big though, isn't he?"

"Yes," Xela agreed, "he's fairly big. So how was the birth? Hard again?"

"Oh no, much better." Devath seemed to be struggling against his blanket so I loosened it, giving him more room for movement. "Tish and Fafa have healed me so I shouldn't ever have any more problems."

"You're going to have even more harlings?" Xela asked. "Why you? Why not them?"

Their hostile attitudes were creeping back, it seemed. "Frankly, your hostling and I don't even understand why you had this one," Shridan commented.

"What do you mean, why I had this one?" Devath pulled on the button of my shirt and I murmured at him to stop it. "Why does one have any harling? You know I love harlings."

"But with Tishrana?" Xela questioned. "Why not with Fafa?"

"Did Fafa make you do this?" Shridan continued. "Some sort of gesture that you accept his former lover?"

"I hate to see you being used like this," Xela said sadly.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing and stood up in protest. "What are you talking about? You know Fafa and Tish and I are chesna!" Both my parents appeared taken aback. "What, you didn't know?"

"You never said that!" Xela protested. Shridan shook his head.

"I didn't have to say it, did I? Come now, you know we all share the same bedroom." Shridan rolled his eyes. "What else would that mean, father?"

He shrugged. "Xela and I weren't sure. We thought you had an arrangement of some type. But chesna... How can that even be?"

"Easily," I sighed. "I thought you two understood. I really did. Or at least I thought you could accept it and be happy for me. After all, I've got a big family, four harlings, a wonderful house, and two chesnari. What could possibly be wrong with that?"