So she lived in the city. It was more than I wanted to know right away, but now that I did…my lease was coming up. I'd planned to renew, but maybe being more central wouldn't be so bad. Especially now that I'd need to find new work.

And Sunny.

"Khell," Astraeya prodded, tone gentling. "She didn't want to leave. You know I can tell you that honestly."

I wasn't blind. I knew as much too. But it didn't change certain facts.

"Orcs and humans have mated before, you're not that exciting of news," she continued.

"I'm not giving up," I said. Aren't you? "But there are complications."

Even for orcs, it would be complicated if a mating bond snapped in place while one of the mates was fresh out of a relationship with someone else. Mating was celebratory, but it wasn't a magical influence over personal feelings.

"My offer for her information will stand," Astraeya said slowly.

"It's against MSA—"

"I know our policies, Khell. But this isn't something you did wrong. It's just nature. I'll deal with it on my end, don't worry about me."

I sighed at that and nodded. Sunny wasn't ready to be hunted down, reluctance to give up a sexual frenzy or not. But I would have a way of finding her now, if it became urgent.

How long could an orc go out of contact with their mate? I would find out, it seemed.

"Are you sure?" Astraeya pressed.

"If she…if she returns…if she asks for me," I started.

"I'll call you," Astraeya answered immediately. "No one else."

I relaxed a fraction more. Repeat customers were rare in the grand scheme of our work, although they made for steady money. I winced when I thought of my own two regular clients. MSA would break the news to them gently, and I couldn't regret quitting. I would never satisfy anyone but Sunny again. I would never be satisfied with anyone else.

If Sunny wanted me at MSA again, she would find me. If she didn't…

"How much time will you give her?"

"What's enough?" I asked, glancing up from the edge of the desk for the first time in minutes, like a shamed school boy. Astraeya pursed her lips, and I filled in some of what was missing. "Enough for a woman who just ended a long relationship."

Astraeya groaned and sagged backwards into her desk chair, eyes rolling up toward the ceiling. "Woof, Khell. That's not… There's no one right answer to that."

I let out a low grumble and nodded.

"Not too long," Astraeya said, tipping her chin back down to glare at me. "Less time than you think is noble. Seriously, the orcish chivalry customs make my head spin. Considerate behavior to your mate includes everything from how red you mark their ass before guests come to the home, to giving them excessive space and time to accept the mating."