“Ethin,” he warned, more authoritative that time. He yanked hard on my hair, getting me away from my newest obsession. Really, it was such a waste for him to have a body like this when he was no fun. “Let’s go. Once the patrol is done, you’re free to wallow in the grass all you want.”
Neither of us moved. I wasn’t interested in going on patrol. Roys knew that. He knew I didn’t like taking his orders. Not here. And maybe he realized that, too, because he knocked my hands away to kneel where he balanced on his heels.
Hidden behind the habitat, no one saw Roys catch my chin or heard how low his voice could go. “Good behavior is rewarded, remember?”
Goosebumps broke across my skin. “A reward, huh? You’ll let me finish what I started?”
He moved in. My eyes fluttered closed, waiting for that taste of cherry.
“Behave and find out.” Roys didn’t look back as he walked away. I was grateful; otherwise, it’d be humiliating how fast I followed.
He handed me the extra flamethrower, followed by my exoskin and visor, the last of which I didn’t put on. We met the last patrol on the west side of the energy shield to relieve them. A path led around the shields, but I moved away, closer to the flora.
“Ethin,” Roys warned. The name made my stomach churn.
“Stop being such a worrywart. We secured the area,” I grumbled.
The flora was beautiful when it wasn’t trying to destroy us. There were dozens upon dozens of different species, each petal unique. Some petals were waxy, others soft as fur, and I let my fingers drag over them because, in three months, I wouldn’t feel them again.
Each planetary tour would be different because each planet was different. Most likely, I would be sent to places like Roys had gone. Volcanic, frozen, dangerous, far too dangerous to send anyone of importance, so The Company sent us, the ones no one really cared about. Doubtful that any other planets would have this kind of beauty, would make us want to spend a day under the suns. These tours were rare, and from that point on I would think of this one and know it’d be one in a million.
“Must you do that?” Roys adjusted the flamethrower. He traveled close enough beside me that our arms brushed. “This flora tried to kill us, remember.”
“Not these specifically. They’re harmless; otherwise they would have been neutralized.” I waved toward the path inside the energy shield. “Go over there if you’re so nervous.”
“I’m not nervous.”
“You’re sweating.”
“It’s hot.”
“Yes, I would know. You like to mark your territory.” I tugged at the collar of my shirt. That put a proud smile on his face, and my heart did a weird little hiccup that I didn’t like.
“You didn’t seem to mind in the moment.”
“I mind the next day when I’m the one in a shirt far too hot for this planet.” I lifted mine up to wipe the sweat from my brow. Roys stared and I kept my shirt up longer than necessary because I liked the way he admired me.
“See something you like?” I teased.
His eyes gave their answer, but still he tried, “I’ve seen better.”
“Asshole.” I reached toward the jungle. One flora had flowers that were perfectly safe. I plucked a handful to pinch the petals between my fingers. I felt his attention as I brought the flower up to smell and then pressed against my cheeks. Soft, tickling, smelling of lemon and something a little sweeter.
“You have a thing for plants or something?” he mocked.
“I’d argue anyone who says they don’t is lying. We’re meant to be in places like this.” I glanced toward the forest, grabbing more flowers when we passed. “Not cold, lifeless machines.”
“Never took you for the hippie type.”
“I am nothing if not surprising.” And I proved that further by twisting the stalks together, earning a peculiar look from him.
“To say the least.”
“You like it.”
He knocked his head to the side, grunting in a manner that one couldn’t fully interpret. I chose to believe he agreed, although I wasn’t entirely sure how I would feel about that. This agreement worked because we didn’t like each other. It was kind of part of the appeal, and I chose to continue believing that hadn’t changed as we fell intoa comfortable silence where I picked more flowers and weaved them to make a crown.
When I presented that crown to Roys, he laughed. “Try it on. It’ll suit you.”
