“Chocolate truffle. It’s a treat from Earth.”
“Earth?”
“The planet where I come from,” Ursula explained.
“Is all Earth food this wondrous?” Soraia picked up another truffle and chewed slowly to savor it.
Ursula chuckled. “Hardly. But I’d never feed a guest brussels sprouts or kale. That would be cruel.”
The two women lapsed into a less brittle quiet as they ate a few more snacks.
“So, what brings you to Fangrys?” Ursula examined the shy woman sitting opposite her. It was difficult to discern age among the Urib, but she sensed the female was older.
“The Prime summoned my mates,” the female answered.
“Ah,” Ursula replied with a shallow nod. She raised an eyebrow. “And they couldn’t leave you unsupervised?”
“I was summoned, too,” Soraiaya admitted. “I do not know why.”
“Who are your mates? Perhaps I know them.”
“The mayor and sheriff of Fangrys Village.”
Ursula bit back a guffaw and the disparaging comment that might have followed.Those two morons did something to offend Bran, didn’t they?
They insulted you, came Zul’s reply.
Well, it wouldn’t have been the first time.
Zul had no answer to that because it was true.
Ursula sighed.What does Bran expect me to do with this poor woman?
Engage her in conversation.
That’s not helpful.
He shrugged.
Ursula smiled, again making sure not to show her teeth. Reaching for an appropriately innocuous topic of conversation, she glanced out a window. “The firethorn is beautiful, is it not? I love seeing the desert bloom after a rain.”
Soraia’s shoulders relaxed at the safe topic and allowed her hostess to engage her in conversation. Ursula paid no attention to the passage of time and concealed her relief when the door opened. Soraia shot to her feet.
“The sheriff and mayor are ready to depart,” Hurvi announced.
Soraia drew her mantilla back over her hair, having let it fall away during her pleasant conversation with the Prima. Her shoulders tensed and her gaze focused on the floor. Ursula’s eyes narrowed. She recognized fear when she saw it. Approaching the other woman, she settled a hand lightly on Soraia’s arm. Soraia flinched as though struck.
“If you need help, I will help you,” Ursula said in a low voice.
Still looking at the floor, Soraia shook her head and said nothing.
“Abuse is wrong, Soraia.”
Soraia said nothing.
Ursula sighed and patted her arm. “We won’t force anything on you, but please do visit again. You are always welcome here.”
Soraia whispered a thank-you, but did not look up.
