Page 99 of Dancing for the Minotaur

Terra shrugged.

“It's how I cope.”

He smiled.

“Then I am pleased to assist your coping.”

There was such quiet affection in the way he said it that Terra forgot how to respond for a moment. She settled for smiling back.

The stew cooked for another twenty minutes while they cleaned the preparation area together. Terra insisted on helping, though she was mostly fascinated by the cleansing vine, which wrapped around every utensil they gave it and scrubbed each one with its fuzzy leaves before releasing it spotless.

“I want one of these at home,” she said.

“I could acquire one for you,” Taurex offered.

Terra looked up at him.

“Seriously?”

He nodded.

“Of course.”

“Would it survive in Tampa?” she asked. “I mean, we have a sub-tropical climate.”

“With the proper soil, it should be fine,” he assured her.

“You're telling me I could have a dishwasher plant growing beside my sink?” she asked eagerly.

“Certainly.”

Taurex nodded.

Terra pressed a hand dramatically to her chest.

“Taurex, you may have just won my heart.”

He paused what he was doing and just looked at her.

Terra realized what she'd said, and heat flooded her face. What must he think of her? She had to stop flirting so blatantly!

“Oh. I mean⁠—”

“Don’t worry—I know what you meant,” he rumbled. But his golden eyes had grown warmer.

Terra turned back to the cleansing vine.

Smooth, Terra. Very smooth, she told herself.

Thankfully, the oven pod chose that moment to open with a soft rustling sound, releasing the smell of freshly baked bread.

Dinner was finally ready.

24

TERRA

The dining area occupied a broad alcove beside the kitchen, and Terra had noticed the table earlier but hadn't really examined it. Now she realized that, like everything else in the domicile, it hadn't been manufactured at all.