Page 112 of Alien Burn

“I was demonstrating courage.”

“You were showing off.”

“An important distinction. I shall remember it.”

She was still smiling when her comm lit beside the plate.

He saw Roemary's name before she turned it over.

Sereya stopped moving.

“You don't have to read it now,” he said.

“If I leave it, I'll spend breakfast wondering.”

She picked it up.

Dhomhes watched her face. The smile disappeared, but she didn't give him the message immediately. She read it again, then set the device on the table between them.

I have just had a very revealing conversation.

We should speak before you allow this to go any further.

You know how damaging misunderstandings can be.

He kept his hands around his water glass.

Sereya rubbed her thumb along the edge of the comm, then stopped.

“I'm not having this conversation in my room,” she said. “If there's something that actually needs settling, I'll ask the office to arrange it.”

“With someone you choose present,” he said.

“Yes.” She looked at the message again. “She'll hate getting that answer.”

Dhomhes waited. Sereya drew herself a little straighter.

Then she picked up the comm and wrote an answer.

I am not available for a private meeting. If there is something necessary to discuss, we can arrange it through the residence office.

She showed him before sending it, but she didn't ask him to approve the words.

“Would you copy the earlier message for the commander?” he asked. “With your permission.”

She sent the copy first. Then the reply.

When she put down the device, her hand trembled. She wrapped it around her cup and took a drink.

Dhomhes offered his across the table.

She took it.

“I dislike how much that cost,” she said.

“I imagine it will cost less with practice.”

She squeezed his hand and held it for a moment, then let go and took another sip of her drink.