The day’s events left Ancelin utterly drained.Krevan Vallex wasn’t at all what she’d expected—he frightened and annoyed her, yet was unnervingly beautiful, like a Greek god resurrected.She knew almost nothing about Triaxen humanoids, and Verrian itself as beautiful as it seemed was wilder, more hostile, and scarcely civilized.Its welcoming brutal weather illustrated how harsh this world could be.In hindsight, she realized she was in a delirious haze when she’d agreed to rent land on Verrian and flee Earth.
Every muscle in Ancelin's body ached from the journey.For days, she'd been wedged between strangers in economy class—knees pressed against the seat in front, shoulders hunched to avoid touching the snoring passenger beside her.The decision to save on transportation now seemed foolish; her account could have easily covered first-class passage.
The interstellar journey had ravaged her body in ways she couldn't disguise; shadows hung beneath her eyes like permanent bruises against her ashen skin.Sleep offered no escape—only a doorway back to horrors that pursued her across galaxies.It had been ages since she'd known true rest.When the memories found her, they tore screams from her throat before consciousness could intervene.Throughout the voyage, she'd fought against her drooping eyelids, dreading the moment her nightmares might perform for an audience of judgmental strangers.
Before her departure from Earth, she’d stockpiled sedatives and antidepressants—enough to numb the pain and buy a few hours’ rest.For a little while, the pills helped, but the dreams followed her, leaving her no sanctuary.
Maybe she should take Krevan’s advice and leave this planet, she thought, at least go to someplace more familiar.But where?Her thoughts churned through the night until exhaustion finally claimed her.
Then came the bloody visions again, pulling her back with a start.She woke up soaked in sweat, heart racing.Reluctantly, she swung her feet over the edge of the bed and tiptoed to the table by the window.Fishing out her bag, she found one of her pill bottles and, without water, swallowed a dose in hopes of staving off the terror for just a little longer.
The familiar scent of coffee roused Ancelin from sleep, cutting through the haze left by last night's pill.She hadn't tasted real coffee in weeks—the aroma alone conjured memories of Saturday mornings back on Earth.Her eyes snapped open.Where was she?The panic subsided and the sadness returned as recognition dawned.
Her room matched the rest of the house—sleek lines, spotless surfaces.The bed cradled her like a cloud, tempting her to sink deeper.If she'd owned this bed during those dark weeks when she couldn't face the world, she might never have risen again.Reality crashed back, drawing a groan from her lips.She pushed herself up, pajamas rumpled, she padded to the window.Beyond the glass, rain fell in solid curtains, obscuring everything beyond a few meters—a drowning world.With a sigh, she rummaged through her luggage for her robe and slippers, then followed the promising scent downstairs.
"Good morning, young lady.I was beginning to wonder if you were alright.You’ve been asleep for hours.It's late afternoon now, so I you’ve missed the ship back home," Krevan told her.
"Good morning.The coffee smells amazing.Could I have some, please?"Ancelin asked, almost pleading.
The hard lines of Krevan's face softened as his lips curved upward, transforming his expression into something unexpectedly warm.Ancelin's breath caught in her throat.
"Coffee drinker, are you?"He tilted his head, studying her with eyes that shifted like Tylon Moon sea-glass in the light.Capitating."This particular blend is extra special and comes from a select market on Triaxe."He made a soft clicking sound against his teeth."Generosity isn't exactly a survival trait out here."Despite his words, that smile remained genuine and disarming.
"I packed some wonderful Earth coffee beans," she managed, forcing her gaze away from the angles of his face."They're somewhere in my cargo.I'll replace whatever I use."
Standing across the kitchen island, Krevan blinked at her offer."Ancelin, have some of mine.Take the whole pot if you want," he said, his voice dropping to a rumble that vibrated through the air between them.The hair on her arms rose in response.Yesterday's snarling guard dog had transformed overnight into this almost-charming host—the whiplash made her temples throb.Prison record, unpredictable moods...she filed these facts away carefully.Whatever drove Triaxen male behavior clearly operated on different circuitry than Earth men.She gripped her mug tighter, watching him over its rim.Later, when her computer was unpacked and Galaxnet connection established, she'd research Triaxens and exactly what she was dealing with.
Krevan grabbed a mug from the cupboard, poured some coffee into it, and placed it in front of her.
Steam curled between them as she raised the mug to her lips.The first sip warmed her from inside, and she found herself meeting his gaze."This is perfect," she said."Wait until you taste the blend I brought from Earth."
"Earth coffee," he murmured, leaning slightly across the counter.His voice had lost its earlier edge, replaced by something almost velvety."I haven't had that in years."The unexpected gentleness in his tone made her pulse quicken despite her better judgment.
Ancelin leaned forward, peering at the sizzling pan."Something smells amazing."
"Hungry?"Krevan reached for another plate."I've got Earth-style breakfast if you're interested."
"Earth-style?"Her eyebrows shot up."You mean actual bacon?Chicken eggs?"
Krevan nodded, sliding perfectly browned strips onto her plate alongside sunny yellow yolks."Import the bacon special.The eggs are from my chickens—several dozen out back.”He set the plate before her with a casual precision that suggested long practice.
Ancelin accepted it with both hands, inhaling deeply."You cook like this regularly?"
"Breakfast.Otherwise, I mostly cook basic stuff.I miss a good home-cooked meal; I haven't had one in years."
Ancelin wrapped her fingers around the mug, breathing in the rich aroma before taking another sip."This is incredible."
"Just wait till you try my eggs," Krevan said, his eyes briefly meeting hers.He nodded toward her cooling plate."Better eat up.”
“I will.”She took a bite.“It’s delicious.”
“Thank you.”He nodded.“That storm's not letting up today.You’d better stay here until it does.”Rain hammered against the window in punctuating bursts."I need to secure the chicken coop before it gets worse.You can use Galaxnet and SatView, if you like.I'll set you up once you're dressed."His voice softened."I have a Satphone too.Someone back home might be wondering if you made it.You’re welcome to call them."
Ancelin tilted her head, studying the unexpected gentleness in his expression."Who are you and what have you done with the man who greeted me yesterday?"
"Would you prefer him back?"
"No," she said, sipping her coffee."This version's much better."
