Page 55 of Alien Burn

“I like yours too.”

His brow lifted.

“Your smile,” she said, before courage deserted her. “I should have said so in the courtyard.”

For once he did not have an answer ready. The look on his face made the whole frightening business of sending the message worthwhile.

“You can do that more often,” he said.

“Tell you you're handsome?”

“That wasn't quite what you said, but I won't argue with a generous interpretation.”

She laughed, and he smiled properly this time.

Two attendants passed with a trolley. Sereya waited for their footsteps to fade before looking down at her hands.

“I don't always know what to say when people ask about home.”

The words came out more abruptly than she intended. She pressed her fingers together.

Dhomhes waited.

“You didn't do anything wrong,” she added. “Earlier. I asked you.”

“I remember.”

“I mean that being in Courtship doesn't make those answers easy. If I don't answer something, it might not be because I don't want to talk to you.”

She kept her eyes on the dressing. It was easier than watching him decide whether that made her too much trouble.

“All right,” he said.

She looked up.

“That's all?”

“Would you like a speech? I could probably find one.”

“No.”

“Then that's all.”

Sereya leaned back against the wall. She had not known how much she wanted that answer until he gave it.

For a few breaths, they watched the light on the opposite floor.

“There's one thing you could tell me,” he said.

Her shoulders began to tighten.

“Whether you actually like tea, or simply felt obliged to keep drinking it.”

She turned toward him.

“I like tea.”

“Good. That narrows my next invitation considerably.”