Page 127 of Tempting Fate

Damn right. While it made sense for Airida leave on the carrier, it had been the only plan available. And now maybe, just maybe, we had a choice.

Reskavi grunted and headed deeper into the cave. I went to follow, but Kira gripped my arm. “Talk to us.”

I turned, my shoulders dropping. What was I even thinking? “How did you do it?”

“What?”

“Decide to get permanently bonded to Reskavi?”

Kira laughed, a high, clear sound, and shook her head. “I ran away the first time.”

“The first time?”

A wistful expression crossed her pixie-like features. “I left him because I was afraid of it, then didn’t see him for a year. We met up again purely by chance.”

“And you decided to give it a go?”

She laughed again, a frantic edge to it. “Reski is a force of nature. I couldn’t have resisted him if I’d tried. And I did. Try. For at least a few hours.” She sobered. “Is that what you’re scared of? The bond?”

I nodded.

“I was still scared after it happened. Thought I’d be stuck on New Earth bonded to him, and him stuck out there. Here. When you guys got taken, it helped put things in perspective.” She grabbed my hand. “It doesn’t go wrong, Imani. He won’t leave. These bonds only happen if you’re meant to be together.”

“See?” Fenn said. “Totally romantic.”

Someone who wouldn’t leave me? Who was truly right for me? “That’s a bit too woo for me.”

“Girl, same. And yet”—she pushed up a sleeve, revealing the purple lines of her mating marks—“how the fuck did these appear on me? Explain that with science, I dare you.”

“I’m a geologist,” I hedged. “Not my area of expertise.”

“And I’m mated to Reskavi. Totally my area of expertise.” She lowered her voice and leaned in. “And it makes the sex even better.”

“That’s a dirty trick, and you know it.”

“Is it working?”

“Maybe.” I couldn’t imagine better sex than what we already had.

“He’s got the kri’ith suhla, right?” At my blank expression, Kira clapped her hand to her mouth. “Built in suction toy at the base of his—” She gave two whistles, high and low.

My face heated. “I don’t think so, but he’s definitely part shaa in that department. No complaints.” None. Airida’s beads were kri’ith, but his size and those ridges were shaa traits and, oh, they hit every spot and more. Suction as well? I might actually die.

Fenn groaned. “I have totally got to find a partner.”

“Aren’t you interested in this Xeefral?” I said, trying to rein in the wild hope flourishing in my chest. A way to be with Airida without having to fear for the future?

Fenn scrubbed a hand over their hair. “I’m playing it cool, okay?”

Kira and I shared a glance. “You mean you’re both assuming you’re just friends,” she said. “I don’t know, we travel how many light years, and some things never change.”

Fenn’s reply was muffled by Reskavi’s heavy footsteps.

“Looks like there’s a whole network of caves here and a closer way in back there”—he jerked his head—“but we’d have to make an entrance. Under the wreckage.”

The beginnings of a plan turned over in my mind. Under the wreckage would leave it hidden, but more easily accessible from the village than coming all the way out here. And with his smuggling expertise, Reskavi would have ideas for getting us down there undetected.

I didn’t love the idea of being stuck underground for ages, but between that and going up into space? Or being separated from Airida?