“She was just going to show me the view. You don’t have to be all growly about it.”
He is indeed, practically growling with frustration and anger. It isn’t scary, though. It feels a bit more like a tantrum, honestly, which is baffling. Which one of us almost died here?
“I am trying to thank you, you grumpy old polar bear.” I huff, trying to keep my tone light. He did save my life, after all.
“I do not know what that is, but you can thank me by taking a bit more care. How long have you been on Sanctuary?”
“Today was my first day,” I reply in a small voice, pulling my arms up to wiggle my way out of the suddenly too-warm cocoon of blankets.
“And how many times have you been injured?” He nods at where my wrapped hand is wrestling awkwardly with the blankets tucked tightly around me.
“None of your business. Where am I? I appreciate you helping me but I probably need to go.” Did Furga abandon me? Am I even in Division 5 still? I am, after all, alone with a strange man… er… male… I have never met, and I realize as I finally get the covers loosened, in nothing but my bra and panties.
I scream, pulling the covers back up to my chin and turning my glare to the Dhugaren accusingly.
“Why am I naked?”
“Body heat. You were going hypothermic. I had to–”
He has the grace to look chagrined, but his excuse is cut off as another Dhugaren, a pale gray female clutching a steaming cup, enters the room with Furga just behind her.
“Khur! Leave the poor human alone. She needs rest, not a lecture. Go on, go check and make sure the cubs are all sleeping. Brajha has been trying to sneak her data pad into bed again. The cot is already made up for you in the common room.”
He huffs, but immediately rises, piercing me with a heavy, heated gaze before he leaves. I notice his eyes are such a dark brown they’re almost black, like the bitter dark chocolate I used to love melting on my tongue. I haven’t had chocolate in years, but for a moment I remember the decadent richness. Too bad he seems like a controlling asshole.
“Thank you so much for welcoming me into your home,” I say to the soft gray Dhugaren woman. For some reason I get a twinge of disappointment when I realize this must be Khur’s wife, and those must be his children.
“Well, Khur burst through the door with no clothes on and you, turning blue in his arms. I couldn’t say no, could I?” Her voice is higher pitched than Khur’s, but still plenty growl-y. “Besides, he was insistent we put you in his bed, so you’re his guest more than mine.”
I squeak, but I can’t do much more than that with no clothes. This blanket is my only protection. Wait…
“His bed?”
“Yes, he said you would never warm up on a cot. I imagine he’ll sleep on one out in the living room for the rest of the night, though, if I can convince him you don’t need a bedside nursemaid.”
Still in the doorway, Furga chuckles a bit at that, stepping forward.
“He’s been at your side since he pulled you out of the water. He’s acting a bit crazy really, but that might have more to do with the war than you.”
“War?” I remember the brief description in the orientation video, but what does that have to do with me?
“Back on our home planet. Khur was in the thick of it. Having to jump into action to save you probably mucked his memories up a bit.” Furga shrugs, as if PTSD is not a serious mental illness, then goes on, “Destiny I’m so sorry about what happened. I had no idea how sensitive you’d be to the cold. I wish you’d told me! We could have found some gear for you!”
Perhaps he isn’t just a controlling asshole, after all.
“I should be apologizing to you Furga! I know my limits. I’m not a complete idiot. I just thought we could take in the view and then leave.” I can’t help but add, a bit quieter, “I don’t have any credits yet, remember?”
“Yes, well, the mountain will always be there, as we like to say,” the other woman cuts in, “I am Urzu by the way, Khur’s sister.”
I completely ignore the spark of joy that alights in my belly at the wordsister.
“My name is Destiny. Nice to meet you, and thank you so much for your kindness, but can I get my jumpsuit back?”
“It’s in the laundry machine now. It will be done in the morning.”
“What about my shoes? They’re the only pair I have.”
“Khur brought them. They’ll be dry in the morning with your jumpsuit.”
