Page 36 of Tempting Fate

Wait, no, this was a one-off.

But, god, I could do with more of this. I missed Garrison’s hugs. He seemed to know just what I needed, that strong, deep pressure that grounded me and brought a sense of calm. I’d thought his hugs were good? Airida’s were better. “Yeah, we can hug.”

Reality filtered in with the sounds of bustle and chatter from the village outside, people going about their afternoon as if nothing remarkable had just happened.

I held him for two more slow breaths then let go.

Airida

Imani stood in the middle of the room, eyes darting all around. “What shall I do with the towel?”

“Please leave it in the corner, I’ll deal with it later. Thank you.” The release may have been as painful as ever, but I’d barely noticed it over the pleasure. And the feel of Imani in my arms, in this hug… If I had to choose between one delight or the other, it would be impossible. I tucked myself back into my undershorts and pulled the sheets to my waist, too warm for anything more.

She dropped the towel where I indicated, then returned to the centre of the room, shifting on restless feet. “Would you like a drink?” She glanced to the towel again. “Don’t want you getting dehydrated.”

“Please.” I’d thought nothing about kalidi was enjoyable other than the relief it gave. Yet my skin tingled with awareness even now. A calm overcame me, solid and deep-rooted, as if it sprang from my very bones.

Imani washed her hands, filled two mugs with water, and brought them over.

I took the one she offered.

She sat.

“Thank you,” I said, self-consciousness crawling its tiny feet over my skin. Orukem normally left straight afterwards. And while this felt strangely vulnerable, I found I didn’t want to be left alone, not yet.

From her place in Kri’s shrine, the chiyi fluttered her wings and gave a light, trilling coo.

Imani graced me with a small smile, one that warmed me, gifting my insides a soft glow. “No worries. Are you okay? How long does it feel better for?”

Precious fate. Nobody else had asked how I felt about kalidi or how it affected me. “It depends. This was my first week. Sometimes it happens three or four times a day. At first, it woke me in the night too. It is… not my favourite thing.” I remembered Tokki’s promise, that one day the pleasure would exist without pain, but the memory did not taste like truth.

“No, it sounds very difficult for you. I’m sad you have to go through it.”

More of that warm feeling in my chest, something unfamiliar yet very welcome. Shaa’ith were matter of fact about kalidi—and I understood why, of course I did. But Imani’s compassion softened something in me, something that had been hard and brittle for a long time. “It is a rite of passage, I am told. Thank you for helping me. I hope you didn’t mind.”

“You’re welcome. And, no, I was… happy to help.” Her gaze cast around the room, latching onto the basin, the pile of clean towels, the spiralling leaves of the tree beyond the window.

I wanted to anchor her here, keep her a little longer, but like flower petals cast away on the breeze, my words deserted me.

She downed her water. When she stood and placed her mug on the table, the clunk echoed like a bell toll.

I drank in her image, uncaring of whether she caught me looking. Her confident stance. The pleasing shape of her body, curves I traced greedily with my eyes, wondering what they would feel like under my hands.

Imani crossed her arms. “Anyone would think you’d never seen a human before, the way you’re staring at me.”

“I’ve seen three. And you are the loveliest.”

She arched a brow, waiting a beat before replying. “That’s very sweet. Don’t go getting any ideas.”

Ideas? “About what?” I asked, my voice coming out deeper than usual.

She stood a little straighter. Her lips curved in the smallest, most beautiful smile. “Never you mind. I’ll see you later.”

Before I could ask for an explanation, the door closed behind her.

Later. Kalidi would rise again this evening, and if I was lucky, Fate might tend to me a second time. Yes. I had no complaints with Orukem, but Imani—Aimanei—was now my favourite person here.

With a smile on my face and a welcome steadiness in my bones, I settled down to nap.