Page 23 of Tempting Fate

I’d barely been outside of my family estate, at least, not that I could remember. I had some hazy memories of being very small, perhaps I’d been taken to a medical centre, but other than that… “No, I have been at home all my life.”

“Would you like to come in with us sometime?” Fenn asked. “It’s not far. We can show you around.”

“What… what is there?” My headspines writhed, echoing the discomfort in my gut. How could I not know what was in a town? For all my learning, I must seem the most ignorant fool.

“It’s busy,” Imani said. “Lots of people—sapients. Hundreds, of all different types. Lots of shops. Places to eat and drink. There’s a medical centre, entertainment halls…”

“Perhaps.” I had so much to learn. So much to experience.

As swift as a comm tablet battery draining before my eyes, my energy leached out of me, and I swayed in my seat. Gods curse this damnable fatigue.

It was of no matter what treasures or terrors a town held. Until I felt better, I wouldn't be going anywhere.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Amethysts

Imani

AIRIDA’S BEARING WAS one I knew only too well. The checked-out look in his eyes. The rapid breathing. His swaying torso.

Poor guy was totally overwhelmed—and who could blame him? “Do you want to go back to your room? Or to the gardens?”

His eyes widened, catching the afternoon sun, making his amethyst crystals glimmer and shine. “Gardens? Yes. Show m—” He straightened his posture. “I would be most grateful if you would show me. Please.”

I hadn’t forgotten the way he’d spoken to me, but I hid a smile. It was a start.

Before we’d even crossed the courtyard, Airida stumbled, steadying himself on my shoulder.

“Are you sure you don’t need to go back to bed?” I asked.

“My body might need to, but my mind needs the garden.” He dropped his head with a sigh. “Would one of you be so kind as to get the hover chair?” His voice was a rich tenor, lit with resonant harmonics, and beautifully shaa’ith.

Fenn ducked around a nearby building and returned with a small transport, the shape of it like an Old Earth unicycle.

That was the only old-fashioned thing about it. The metal ‘wheel’ kicked up dust where it hovered above the ground, its gyroscope spinning with lights in shades of purple as it stabilised the seat above. Airida settled into it, and he kept pace with us, controlling it from a holopanel on a sleek armrest.

The gardens were my favourite part of Zyamzh, big and sprawling with many twining paths among the flower and vegetable beds. The first time I’d seen them, I hadn’t been able to contain my delight.

Airida’s mouth dropped open, and his face split in a broad smile. He slowed his chair. “This is beautiful. I had no idea…”

“Me either.” I led us under the flower arch to my favourite spot. The tall, old tree grew within a ruined building, its weeping branches laden with long, fleshy leaves, their shade allowing a perfect cushion of moss to carpet the old room.

Fenn settled against the tree trunk and began tapping on their comm.

“We can just enjoy the quiet, if you like,” I said, eyeing Airida.

Relief washed over his features. “I would like that. Thank you.”

He was polite now, at least. I’d give him that. As he cast his gaze over the gardens, I couldn’t help but stare. Even looking tired and wan, he was a beauty. His sleeveless tunic revealed toned arms, without the huge, muscular bulk of kri’ith but delicious all the same. He kept his feet bare, as most kri’ith and shaa’ith did, his four clawed toes clenching and curling into the moss. That’s kinda adorable.

I patted his hand and lay down, content to watch the leaves swaying in the warming breeze as the dappled sunlight filtered through to us.

“Imani.” Airida’s voice was low and flat, holding none of his natural melody.

I rolled my head to find his lavender eyes looking back at me over the moss. “Are you okay?”

“I… need to apologise.”