Jonathan grunted. His lips that had been hard, slowly softened.
"That baby was just begging for a left hook," he growled. "And something tells me he'll get it, too."
"Morka Kar is a great scientist. I came in his retinue from Zarathza, to help fight the flames."
"I still don't like him!" Jonathan drew a deep breath and asked, "He—he isn't your husband? Mate, I mean. Or—your fiance?"
Adatha Za laughed.
"You use quaint expressions. But I follow your thoughts. No, he is not my husband, nor my engaged. But he does want me. You see, on Zarathza I am tapu. Sworn to science research, forbidden to wed a Zarathzan."
Jonathan reflected on that for a moment. He glanced sidewise at her and grinned, "What about an—Earthman?"
Adatha Za pinched his arm and laughed, "Strictly, there's nothing against it. Zarathza never even heard of Earth until recently!"
III