Cleo grinned. “I had a feeling. You couldn’t take your eyes off her when she first arrived.”
“Was I that obvious?”
“Painfully,” Rezor said, but there was warmth in his voice. His hand rested on Cleo’s thigh, possessive and tender.
Iris shifted beside me, and I felt her start to relax marginally as the conversation continued. The human females drew her inwith questions about her work, her skills, her opinions on things. They were genuinely interested, not just being polite, and slowly Iris began to open up.
I watched her carefully venture an opinion about defensive tactics. Saw her almost smile when Maya made a joke about military rations. Noticed the way she leaned slightly into me when Zara asked about the ruins and our escape.
She was learning to be part of something. Part of a community. Part of this strange, blended family we’d all become.
“She’s good for you,” Mierva said quietly beside me. She’d moved closer while I was watching Iris. “I can see it in your colors. The way you look at her.”
“She’s amazing,” I replied. “Better than I deserve.”
“Nonsense. You’re a good male, Baleck. You both deserve happiness.”
The gathering lasted for hours, conversation and laughter flowing easily. I saw Iris gradually let her guard down, saw her participate more naturally. At one point, Iris laughed at something Cleo said. Iris blinked in surprise at hearing herself actually laugh, and my heart nearly stopped at the beauty of it.
A little later, I caught Zara lean close and peer at Iris’ cybernetic eye, and Iris wait patiently for Zara to be done. I suppressed an amused chuckle as Iris sighed and tried to answer the rapid-fire questions Zara had about the eye. They were likely technical and convoluted, as Iris answered most with shrugs. I thought I heard her say, “Would you like me to take it out and let you study it?”
“Oh, wow.” Zara sat up with a hopeful expression. “Can you?”
Iris gave her a slow blink. “No.”
Zara was a good sport about it and Cleo came in to change the subject.
Eventually, we made our excuses and slipped away. The sun was setting as we walked back to my hut, painting the valley in shades of gold and amber.
“That was nice,” Iris said quietly.
“It was.” I took her hand. “They liked you.”
“They liked that I’m with you.” But there was no bitterness in it. Just observation.
“They liked you. Trust me.” I pulled her closer. “You’re easy to like once people get past the terrifying exterior.”
She elbowed me lightly. “I’m not terrifying.”
“You absolutely are. It’s one of your best qualities.”
We reached my hut and I pulled her inside, shutting the door behind us. The space felt different now. Not just mine. Ours.
I turned to her, cupping her face in my hands. Her skin was warm, and I could feel her pulse fluttering under my thumbs.
“I love you,” I said. The words came easily, naturally. “I love your strength. I love how you navigated in the dark and saved both our lives. I love that you’re learning to trust and open up even though it terrifies you. I love everything about you.”
Her eyes shone in the dim light. “I love you too.” Her voice cracked slightly. “I didn’t think I could. Didn’t think I knew how. But I do. I love you so much it scares me.”
I kissed her, pouring everything I felt into it. She melted into me, her arms coming around my neck.
Then pain lanced through my hip, sudden and searing. I broke the kiss with a gasp, stumbling back.
“Baleck?” Iris grabbed my arm, alarmed. “What’s wrong?”
The burning intensified, like someone had pressed a brand to my skin. I limped to the bed and sat heavily, my hand going to my hip.
“The marks,” I managed. “I think it’s happening.”
