Only Human

cop."
    "Almost," Nettie agreed cheerfully. "Has it been difficult for you, balancing your professional duties with your feelings for Rule?"
    Lily took a moment to think about her answer, rinsing the pot thoroughly. Nettie should have been a cop. She was alarmingly good at getting people to talk. "He and I haven't known each other long, and for most of that time our relationship was professional. It turned personal very suddenly."
    "Did it? Still, I can understand if you were uncomfortable today. Our customs are different from what you're used to."
    That was certainly true. Lily grinned. "I think I would have been a lot more uncomfortable if Belinda hadn't been accompanied by the gorgeous Dede." The two women had, quite obviously, been a couple.
    Nettie smiled. "I'm glad you're tolerant. Not everyone is."
    "Really?" She rinsed the lid, handed it to Nettie, and opened the drain. "I had the impression this was an accepted and long-standing relationship."
    Nettie shrugged. "Long-standing, yes. And lupi don't consider much about sex truly sinful. But relationships such as Belinda and Dede have are discouraged."
    "Why?"
    "Customs usually evolve for a reason," she said vaguely, turning to put away the last of the silverware. "Dede and Belinda are good together, though, so most accept them. It's not like having a true mate, of course—but then, few are that lucky."
    "True mate." Lily thought of the little girls she'd met. "Is that like true love?"
    "Something like that. You seemed to enjoy yourself at the school. I thought you might like to join the group learning woodcraft for a while this afternoon. Nick is leading them. He's our woodsman."
    "Sure." Lily dried her hands. She knew when she was being herded out of the way. For now, she didn't mind. It wouldn't stop her from seeking answers. "Do you mind if I ask you something personal?"
    "Will it stop you if I do?"
    Probably not. "I wondered how you felt about—well, the way your husband turns furry sometimes. Does it bother you?"
    "Not in the way you mean. I'm a little envious. It would be wonderful to experience the world as vividly as they do." She shrugged. "But it's a guy thing, isn't it?"
    A guy thing. Lily grinned and dried her hands, but her grin
    soon faded. "Nettie... what happens if a Lu Nuntius doesn't do what he's told by his Lupois?"
    "I've never heard of such a thing occurring." Nettie smoothed lotion over her hands and held out the bottle. "Want some?"
    Sometimes you let a subject get away with evading the question. Sometimes you didn't. "What would happen if one did?"
    Nettie sighed. "At best, he would be banished. Not allowed at Clanhome. He would cease to exist to other Nokolai."
    Lily didn't have to ask what the worst would be. She could guess.
    The lupi had such final concepts of discipline.

Chapter 12
    ONE LAST SLIVER of sun clung to the rounded shoulder of Bole's Peak like an incandescent fingernail clipping. The moon hung low on the opposite side of the sky, looking more shadow than substance, her solidity drained by the presence of her fiery sister. Rule hurried toward his aunt and uncle's house, buzzing inside as if his skin were but a coat slipped on over a teeming hive of choices, chances, fears, and dreams.
    When the moon rose tomorrow, it would be full. But the buzzing came from more than the proximity of the full moon. He was returning to Lily.
    Night came earlier in the mountains than down in the city, but it was still later than he'd planned to return. There had been so much to arrange, and discussion had taken longer than he'd expected. So had the congratulations. But his plans had gone well, he thought. Extremely well.
    It remained to be seen how well his other plans had worked, and whether Lily would be angry. No, he thought ruefully as he reached the front door, the real question was how angry she would be. Lily was not going to like learning she'd been deceived.
    The second he crossed the threshold, she looked up. She'd
    An been playing chess with his uncle. Nettie wasn't there, of course. She'd remained at his father's to make sure he hadn't set back his healing too much.
    His uncle gave him a searching look, and Rule nodded slightly.
    Lily stood. "All right. I've had enough of cryptic glances. What's going on?"
    He smiled. The sight of her lifted his heart, even if her expression left something to be desired. And his news was good. “The Council has agreed that you are to be allowed to ask your questions. You are to be answered as