Page 48 of Alien Burn

She watched his face for so long that he resisted the urge to explain himself again.

“Courtship,” she said at last. “That's what follows the declaration.”

“If you accept. We make the commitment, then learn each other. I am offering to be your mate. That means my life, Sereya. I don't mean an evening.”

Her gaze dropped to his mouth, then lifted. “Would I have to go with you tonight?”

“No. We can begin by sitting here.”

“I don't know how to do this.”

“Neither do I. I've been wrong about the part I thought I understood.”

She laughed once, shakily. He wanted to take her hand. He kept his own on his knee.

“You hardly know me.”

“I want to. I like the woman who caught me trying to arrange another pot of tea. I would like to discover what else you have to say when you stop being polite to me.”

“That could be a great deal.”

“I hope so.”

She looked toward the path. For a moment he thought she might stand. Instead she moved the cup to her other side and put her uninjured hand in the space it had occupied.

“I choose you too,” she said. “I want to enter Courtship with you.”

He covered her hand, slowly enough to see her fingers lift to meet his. The pressure of her palm went through him, and he had to take a breath before he trusted his voice.

“Then we are in Courtship.”

Her thumb moved over his. “You may have to remind me that this happened.”

“Gladly.”

“Without making a speech every time.”

He laughed. Her hand stayed in his until she reached for her cup.

He let that settle. Then his comm vibrated against his wrist.

For once he resented it before checking the message.

Still no readings from the emergency office. Another request for patience.

Sereya saw enough in his face to start gathering her cup.

“You have work.”

“I do.”

“Thank you for sitting with me.”

She said it carefully, preparing the end before he could. Dhomhes stood, then waited while she did the same.

“Would you like to do it again?”

Her eyes lifted to his.