Page 29 of Tempting Fate

“I’m sure you’ll work it out. Say hi to Fenn from me.” The hologram winked out.

My screen glowed with a new message, and I swiped it, expecting Fenn or the group chat.

Wayfarer’s Rest - Due to an unfortunate incident with one of the guests, half our rooms are unavailable. We recommend you make alternative plans.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I slumped in the bed, staring at the uneven bricks of the ceiling. So close. I’d been so close to getting on with my life—or making a new one, as it was.

Ceres III Station had never truly felt like home. The journey here had been a hellish limbo. The time on the space station at the other end had been a slightly less hellish limbo. And now I was somewhere I loved, somewhere I could build a life for myself, and I was yet again stuck in waiting mode.

All I wanted was my own home, a job, maybe a tiny garden, and a community around me where I felt safe and accepted. Was it too much to ask? Vadias Town was so close, but it had never felt so far away.

My thoughts flicked back to Airida and my comm with Garrison, and I sat in the quiet of the room, no clearer about what to do than before I’d called him.

Tomorrow. I’d tell Airida about the bounty hunters tomorrow, as long as nothing more dramatic happened.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Never Her

Airida

THE WHOLE VILLAGE rose at an ungodsly hour.

Kalidi didn’t, not often, so I didn’t see why I should either. But the following day, Orukem arrived early. Far too early.

She stepped into the room, bringing a gust of chill air with her, and I pulled the covers closer around me.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I have to go out today. There’s this j’tzavi who…” She ran a hand over her headspines. “I won’t be back till the afternoon. Normally we never change kalidi attendants, but I can’t get out of it. Grilahki will attend to you today, and I’ll be back later.”

My stomach churned, angry words gathering in my mouth. More change. More strangers.

Floral scent drifted in through the window, reminding me of Imani, calming me even as kalidi rose. “It is not your fault.” Just another medical procedure. I could bear it.

Orukem attended to me, the usual dull pain and relief of pressure, and left me with kind words and a mug of arl-krei tea.

I stared at my book, reading the same words over and over. Imani would be leaving today. I hadn’t expected the rush of disappointment when she’d told me yesterday—and why it bothered me so much, I couldn’t begin to fathom.

Another knock.

“Enter.”

As if I had summoned her, Imani came in carrying a small platter, the scent of jasmine blooming into the room with her. “How are you feeling? Grilahki made cakes, I thought you might like one?”

At the mention of Grilahki, my mood dipped, though I supposed someone who made cake could not be that bad. The comforting aroma of baked goods made my stomach grumble. “Thank you.”

She retrieved another platter from the small kitchenette, placed a cake on it, and passed it to me. “May I sit with you? I thought you might like some company.”

Was she being kind, or did she want to spend time with me too? “Of course. Please, take a seat.”

Imani pulled the chair from next to my bed and moved it a respectable distance away. She curled her hand around the cake and brought it to her mouth.

An image of her hand flashed into my head, curling round a certain part of me because I wanted her to.

What was wrong with me? It was improper. Obscene. Kalidi was a part of my recovery, and I should no more desire anything to do with it than I should desire anyone in the first place.

My discipline is the icy bath that drives away dishonour.

The cake was tasty, sweet with honey and a pleasant but unknown fruit, and I focused on that rather than the enticing sight of Imani bringing hers to her lips. “Do you like the village?”