We had been traveling for two weeks. People were tired. Injuries happened more often. AndIwanted to spend a little time with my partner—even though we would get more time to ourselves once we arrived at our destination.
She looked as beautiful today as she did yesterday. I made sure to pick up some new clothes for her when I went to get some for me—I could not go out with the pants from the day before and the pretty noticeable stain on the crotch area…People did not have to know what had happened or hadnothappened between my bride and I.
And what happened? I was not entirely surehowwe got to this point but I could not complain. Being close to her had felt so good, I was eager to feel it again.
But she wasuntouched. And although the reason made me angry, I was also worried. I needed to read the damn book Ghauro had brought me. If Tamara could not reallyguideme, I would need to learn as much as possible so I could pleasure her properly.
She was twenty-eight, and it looked like this had been her first orgasmever.
She deserved a lot more.
“As my trainee told you, this is a blister,” I said calmly, inspecting Falacia’s foot. “I am sure you have had blisters in your life before, have you not?”
“Of course I have!” She scoffed. “And I am telling you, this one looks nothing like the other blisters I have had before.”
I let out an annoyed sigh. Juni and Tamara stood straight behind me, waiting patiently. If Falacia wanted to be difficult, I could push back.
“Juni, come and wrap Falacia’s blister please.”
“No!” Falacia crossed her arms over her chest. “This needs a healer, not a—”
“Juniisa healer, Falacia,” I pointed out, my voice turning stern. “She has been training for a year. She iswayoverqualified to treat your…boo boo.”
Falacia’s eyes widened, her jaw falling in outrage. She did not seem to like the word choice. I shrugged.
“As you know, I was not supposed to be working today,” I said as Juni stepped forward to kneel at Falacia’s feet. I stepped backto let her work, keeping a stern eye on the old lady. My hand quickly found Tamara’s. “Unlessit was an absolute emergency.”
“Thisisan em—”
“It isnot. Emergencies would be a broken bone, a deep open wound, a high fever…Not a damnblister.”
I still took the opportunity to look over Juni’s work. She did everything perfectly, applying some healing and numbing ointment over the irritated and swollen skin before she carefully wrapped the whole foot in a clean strip of fabric.
And Falacia glared at both Juni and I the whole time.
“This woman sounds…interesting.” Tamara winced and I let out a chuckle.
“Our elders are…stubborn,” Juni explained. “Notallof them, but a few are certain that only a healer with over ten years of experience is able to give them the right medicine if they have a little cough.”
“This is absurd,” Tamara remarked. “Is it always like this?”
Juni shook her head but I was the one to answer. “Mostly while we travel between our two homes. We move in groups, and only one fully trained healer in each. Once we arrive in our summer city, all the groups will settle for the season, and more healers will be available.”
Tamara looked around, seeing our people milling about. “This isn’t all your people?”
“It is not,” Juni said. “We are only the leading group, the one my father travels in. The leader has to be in the group that arrives first so he can help prepare for the others’ arrival.”
“There are sixteen other groups, I think,” I continued. “And that is just our island. There are others scattered all around Cancer.”
We were a lucky species. Most clans got along pretty well. Our Island, Vallad, was close to another. We could often see each other as their summer city was on the same side as ours. We did not care for expansion or war, unlike some other species in our system…
It was peaceful. Perfect for my bride who already had a tough time.
“Here is a list,” I said, taking a step toward Juni. “Not big issues, but they asked to be seen while we were on our way.”
Juni’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? You areactuallystepping down today and letting me handle everything?”
Was I? I cast a quick glance toward Tamara, looking absolutely beautiful under the morning sun in her orange and purple dress. “Yes. I am spending our rest day with my partner.” She turned her face to me, smiling shyly. “I cannot be as much of a workaholic anymore.”
