Page 30 of Tempting Fate

Imani’s faint smile brightened the room. “It’s lovely. And looks like I’ll be staying a bit longer.”

As her smile faded, I wanted to take a brush and paint it back on again. “I am sad that you are sad.” It was a truth, one I would paint in yellows and greens and greys—when my damnable hands began to behave. Yet Imani’s enthusiastic, warm hug had defined my arrival in the village, and an echo of that warmth rose in my chest. “Your welcome was the best thing about coming here.”

Her smile bloomed again, a radiant thing that lit her whole being. “Really? That’s so lovely of you to say.”

“It is the truth. Why are you staying longer?”

She tipped her eyes to the gods. “Someone’s pet got loose in the guesthouse. Apparently its owner didn’t know it could shapeshift, and when people tried to catch it, it turned into a huge blob-creature that broke some walls and slimed the place.” She rubbed a delicate hand over hair I knew would be soft to the touch. “Can you imagine? But Daiytak said we can stay here a bit longer, so we’re back to house-hunting.”

Selfishly, I was glad of it. “You could just ask to stay here. Indefinitely.”

“No, I can’t. I’ve already decided, and when I’ve made a plan, I stick with it.”

I took another bite of cake, testing the new flavours. I could understand that; life was easier when things were expected and held a routine. “So what do you do when plans change?”

She huffed a laugh, grimacing. “Get stressed, mostly. But Vadias Town is the right place to live. I can find somewhere I can call my own. And I can pester the geoscience guild until they let me in. Then I can get a job that uses my expertise, and then I can start my new life.”

Seeing Imani so passionate and decisive made her company even more desirable, even though her passion lay somewhere other than here. I peered at her over the top of my spectacles. “As long as that involves visiting your friends. I will miss you.”

“We’ve only just met.”

“I do not see how that is relevant.”

She stood, face twitching as if she wanted to say more, but she smoothed down her tunic and glanced at her comm.

I couldn’t tear my gaze from the curve of her hip. What would it be like to touch her?

She gave a half grin and closed one eye for a heartbeat. “I’d better go. I just didn’t want you to miss out on cake.”

“Thank you, I enjoyed both the cake and the company.”

The softest smile graced her lips. “Same.”

After she’d left, I tried to close one eye at a time. Ridiculous. I couldn’t control the rest of my body, why would another part be any different?

The female who brought my lunch was tall with pinched features. She reminded me of Madame Inupa dai Yakri, my mother’s arch-rival who, for reasons still unbeknownst to me, had aided my sister with my removal from Orith. And hadn’t Mother been fuming at that.

She strode into my space as though she owned it. “Sit up, here’s your food.”

I beg your pardon? Such behaviour was grossly unbecoming, but my anger warred with etiquette. I was the newcomer here, and a well-bred kri’ith always led by example. “Thank you,” I said, hoping my voice didn’t betray my sour feelings. “It’s very kind of you. I am Airida, and you are?”

“Grilahki.” She gave a jerky nod. “I will see you later.” She swept out of the room before I could compliment her cake.

Just as well; I was disinclined to commend someone whose behaviour was thoroughly uncouth. Though the cake had been pleasant, it sat uncomfortably in my stomach. I did not want that female touching me. And as the early signs of kalidi worked their wickedness on my body, my sense of dread grew.

I shouldn’t complain, but I feared I was at my limit.

A bee, this one with green stripes instead of the red we’d had back home, buzzed against the metal slats of the window. Not home, I reminded myself. This is home now.

How long before it tasted like truth?

Out of the window, little one. At least one of us was able to leave if we wanted to.

Not enough hours later, the door whooshed open. The unpleasant female Grilahki pushed her way in with a discordant song on her lips and a surly cast to her face.

This was truth: that my unwanted, base needs were to be tended to by the most disagreeable being I had ever had the misfortune of meeting.

The female grabbed a towel from the pile. “Remove the sheet.”