Her bright, pale eyes sought mine, brimming with a blend of gratitude and sorrow, a flood held back by the thinnest of dams. As we sat across from one another, I held out my palm, an offer of connection. She laid her hand in mine, yet the space between us remained, a respectful distance born of her guarded heart.
“Hexxus,” I said, his name a familiar weight on my tongue, “my mentor, he was...is a brilliant male. However, his mind is not as lucid as it once was.” A sigh escaped me, carrying with it the pain of watching a brilliant mind fade. “It is difficult to watch him struggle through moments of bewilderment. It’s as if he drifts off into a world no one else can see. He was not like this before the Gretolics came, and I often wonder what they did to him that made his thus.”
Rowan gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “I'm sorry, Z. I didn’t know he was your mentor.”
I liked that she called me Z. I hoped the intimacy of her shortening my name held a deeper meaning for her as it did me.
“My sire passed into the Realm of the Spirits when I was a youngling. Hexxus adopted me as his protégé, grooming me as if I were his own offspring.”
“That must be incredibly difficult to watch.”
“It is,” I confessed, allowing my vulnerability to show. “To see someone you revere, someone who shaped your life, succumb to such a cruel fate...” I trailed off, lost for a moment in the labyrinth of my own memories, then spoke with renewed passion, “He is getting closer to a design for a planetary shield.”
“Maybe he’s on the mend. Whatever happened to him might be wearing off.”
“I hope you’re right.” I grinned at her optimism. “Shall we eat before our meal grows cold?”
Together, we unpacked the food from the basket the cooks so graciously packed at my request. There were two covered bowls and an array of colorful fruits.
“This looks amazing!” she exclaimed, peeling the lid off her bowl. “What is it?”
“Chiksin casserole,” I replied, handing her an eating utensil. The rich, creamy sauce coated chunks of tender chiksin meat and seasonal vegetables. “It's a stable of Clan Huren, seasoned with an herb called tikla that only grows in the jungle. I think you'll enjoy it.”
“It smells wonderful, as does everything I’ve tried so far.” Rowan scooped up a healthy bite. “Gia is nice enough to bring me food from the kitchen…er, cookery. I guess I should get over myaversion to the palace and see where all this delicious food is made for myself.”
“There’s no need to rush. You have your reasons for not going inside.”
“You sound just like Gia.” Rowan’s giggle was a melody I didn’t want to miss. My ears cupped and perked to pick up every note. “She said the palace would be there when I was ready.”
“And it shall be.”As long as we can strengthen the dome before the Yulineon attack Zaku swears is imminent,I kept the last to myself, not wanting to worry her over something that may never come to pass.
“I wish my ears could do that.” Rowan reached over and traced a curious fingertip along the shell of my ear.
I shivered in response, my scales flashing with bright blues and silvers as I briefly closed my eyes to savor her touch.
“Sorry,” she said, pulling her hand away. “I should have asked before I got all touchy-feely with you.”
“Don’t be sorry. You can touch me wherever you like.”
Her pale flesh flushed a deeper hue, and I was grateful for the wealth of fabric my kiltus offered to cover my throbbing erection. I could control my desires with Rose, but when it came to Rowan, her touch stirred something primal within me I did not fully understand.
I cleared my throat, realizing my words could be misconstrued. “What I mean is, you needn't apologize for being curious. I don't mind.”
“I suppose I’m a curiosity to you too.” Rowan took another bite of her casserole.
I took another bite of my own food and swallowed. “Very. Tell me again the hue of your eyes?”
“Green.”
“Gree-heen,” I tried out the human word. “A soft and lovely shade.”
“Thank you.” Rowan coyly ducked her head, concealing the lovely shade of her gaze.
We finished our meal in companionable silence. My mind sifted through all the things I longed to say, all the questions I yearned to ask but was too hesitant to flood her with my insatiable curiosity. The tiny echo of her spirit already living within me was adrift. I longed to draw her closer, be the anchor she sought, not push her further away.
“Before I was taken from Earth,” Rowan began, her voice a tentative thread in the quiet, “I was a botany major. I was supposed to graduate this year, I mean the year I was taken. Anyway, plants were...aremy passion.” A wistful smile played on her lips. “I wanted to understand life, you know? To nurture and watch it grow.”
I nodded, listening intently as she painted her history with strokes of loss and love for a world far removed from this one. “And now?” I probed gently.
