“I didn’t understand all of your words, but we can go somewhere else.” Kal directed me back the way we came.
The crowd, if anything, had grown. I shifted closer to him and took a deep, shuddering breath. Everything would be fine. I had to stay in the present and not let the amount of people unnerve me.
When a group of short, gray aliens pressed closer, I shoved into Kal to get out of the way. My thoughts began to swirl. I needed air.
“I have an idea.” Kal steered me in another direction.
The swell of bodies became overwhelming to the point I barely noticed the space around me. All my attention remained on his steady grasp and comforting presence.
Kal stopped, spoke with someone, and then we waited in a quiet corner of a restaurant. I huddled against the wall, and he stood in front of me, shielding me from the crowd while his tail curled around my ankle.
I couldn’t stop my eyes from trailing over his broad back and the sheet of silvery-blue hair. I wanted to press against him and rub my face on his back. I’d liked holding him earlier in our room. Kal had felt nice in my arms, like he belonged there.
The air of the restaurant held a spicy scent as meat sizzled. People’s conversation buzzed like bees, though occasional bursts of laughter broke the hum. Each one sent my pulse through the roof.
When a particularly loud shout echoed in my ears, I jumped and pressed against Kal instinctively. Slight bumps on his upper back that I’d noticed earlier in the apartment pushed against me. His wings maybe, but I didn’t know for sure. His shirt had slits I could push my fingers through to investigate, and I wanted to, but I managed to suppress the urge.
His warmth filtered through the panic in my mind, and I took a lungful of his Christmas-like smell. Cinnamon, or maybe nutmeg? Both? Whatever it was, I found the fragrance soothing.
“We’re almost done,” Kal commented. After a few minutes, he snagged a bag and directed me through the crowd to the garden.
“Why are we here?”
“Trust me.”
My mouth opened to reply that I did, but I managed to swallow it. That wasn’t something I wanted to admit; besides, I was pretty sure it was a lie. I couldn’t trust Kal this quickly, not after everything. He’d kidnapped me.
Kal led me to a secluded corner on the second floor. “Pimtimzol was working here today, and I thought you might like to eat here, without anyone else around.”
“Thanks.”
“I would do anything for you, my Mate,” he said, eyes locked on mine.
Mouth dry, I nodded.
He removed a red stew, a purple grain resembling rice, and flatbread. Kal handed me a piece of bread. I accepted it, then watched as he tore a piece of his own bread and picked up some of the grain and stew with it. Shrugging, I followed suit.
The stew was extremely spicy, making my tongue burn and my nose run, but it was delicious. I groaned and took another bite, digging in with enthusiasm. Between Kal and I, we cleaned up the food. Once we were done, I rested back on my elbows.
“You liked it. I pleased you,” he said with a smug smile.
“I did. It was really spicy, though.”
“I don’t find it so, but I’m glad you liked it.”
I’d probably regret it in a few hours when I had to shit, but I would eat it again. My eyes closed as I enjoyed the floral perfume and the muggy air of the garden surrounding me. It was nice. Peaceful even. I never had time or inclination to do this in the past, but here? I didn’t have anything but time.
I could take a nap.
Images of Kal pressed against me as we slept among the plants played through my thoughts. I bet he would feel perfect sleeping on my chest—my fingers carding through his soft hair. What would it be like to have him hovering over me with the silvery-blue strands falling around my face? My hands on his back and my legs hooked over his hips.
“I think you’ll like my house,” Kal commented.
“What?” I asked, jarred out of my daydream.
“My—our house. I think you’ll like it. It’s in the middle of the Voxqoyten Forest. There are no people around. It’ll just be me and you,” he said, his tail twitching near his foot.
I’d made no decisions, but Kal had kept planning apparently. “How long have you lived there?”
