“Causing havoc, you mean,” she said, tossing the woman a smile.
The replicate dinged.Vic shoved a cold glass into Tiny’s hand.
She raised it for a sniff, then sighed.“Mango?”
Vic chuckled.“Something like that.”A slight shift of air confirmed her sitting opposite Tiny at the table.“Thought I’d check in on you.How are things going?”
“Well, Nenn’s made this transition…um, journey, smoother, better.I am worried about the Ivoyans imprisoning me and poking me with their orange fingers.Aehort said as much.”
“Did he now?”Vic smacked her lips.
Reminded of her juice, Tiny sipped the sweet nectar and hummed at the tartness coating her tongue.
“Whatever happens, I’ll fight to protect you, Tiny.”Vic cupped Tiny’s hand.“Drafe, too.”
“I know, and I’m grateful.Just don’t get hurt or die, okay?”Tiny peered at the shadowy outline that was Vic.“They’d have to study me to maybe heal me.I’ve accepted a little prodding’s in my future.”
“I don’t know, Tiny-babe.I’m a tad bit worried since I convinced you to come with, then abandoned you to…”
“Have sex?”Tiny grinned.“No judgment from me.I’ve got Nenn, you see.”
“As ingot—”
“Yes,” Tiny blurted.Heat exploded across her cheeks.
“Oh, thank God.”Vic squeezed Tiny’s hand and released her.“I’m glad you’re not alone.Are you his vatia sahaar?”
Tiny frowned.“His what?”
Vic cursed under her breath.“If you don’t know, then you’re not.He’ll tell you if you are.”
“Tell me what?”Tiny snapped.
“That you’re his love mate.It’s rare for Qaldreths, apparently, and yet, Drafe’s mine.”Vic stood.“I see you got an implant.Call me if you want girly companionship.”
Puzzled by Vic’s words, Tiny didn’t listen for her fading footsteps.“Um, will do,” she muttered and cradled her juice.
Oh, what she’d give to stay with Nenn as his mate.Yet, rare meant the chance was slim.She sighed, drained the juice, and rose.Not sure where to put the glass, she took it and inched in the direction Nenn always went.A counter was within her touch, so she left it on the smooth surface.
No Nenn met her on the way to her room.She entered without hindrance, and the closing of the door weighed heavily on her heart.Being alone didn’t used to bother her, probably because her parents had always been reachable…physically.That wasn’t true anymore.
And even though she was heading toward an unknown galaxy, it was good to know she had Vic in her corner.Though how much an augmented human could do against a superior, orange species… Well, she’d find out soon enough.
She sat on the bed and slid the reed from on top of her pillow.Already, the notes Juunn had taught her didn’t warble as much, and she could hold them for longer.As a doctor, she likened the playing of such an instrument to breathing exercises.She drew in a long inhale to prove she’d improved her lung capacity, then ruined it by giggling at her silliness.
A buzz made her jump, and she fumbled the reed.It clattered across the floor and rolled away from her.
“Shit,” she muttered before commanding the door to open.While it did so, she crawled in the direction the instrument rolled.Wincing at the hard floor, she patted around her, inched forward, and repeated.
“What are you doing?”Nenn asked, bringing his amazing cologne with him.
“Dropped the reed.”
“I will get it.”And up she went with a barely muffled squeak.He dumped her on the bed and marched off.
When he sat beside her, his thigh warming hers, she twisted to smile at him.He placed the reed in her hand, then clasped it shut but didn’t release her.“What did Aehort want?”
“Oh,” she gasped and bounced on the spot.“Nenn, he touched my temple, and I could see through his eyes.It was amazing.I wish you’d been there.”She raised her free hand to fluff her hair, then lowered her chin to her chest.And he called her beautiful?She sniffed, tears pressing behind her eyes.What a sweet man.
