Oh, dear. Essek's brow furrows, and though attempts to meet Percy's eyes, his husband is already glancing away. His answer is short and quiet, and it betrays a great deal of the turmoil within. He will blame himself, Essek realizes, should he not fall pregnant during this heat.

He not only returns the kiss Percival presses to his lips, but deepens it, slow and sweet with a simmering heat, before they part again.

"This troubles you," he murmurs, soft and sympathetic, still lingering close. "Percival, I have no doubt that we will accomplish our goal in the time we have. I am only attempting to flirt with you." Clearly not very well. He smiles as his hands slide down to frame his alpha's face between graceful fingers. "It is also possible that my guess is not accurate." As he'd pointed out, they have no real evidence one way or the other. If he were in a clearer state of mind, perhaps he might be able to determine a way, over time, to test that theory, but--

"I certainly intend to give it my best attempt regardless of whether you happen to be man or beast."