“Good. Tell me truthfully, how is my brother’s recovery going? He only snaps at me any time I ask him”
Eleri laughed. “S’samph is recovering just fine, but he’s a miserable patient.”
“This sounds honest.” S’kasia reached across the table to press a glowing compartment. Eleri’s order slid out of an opening in the wall, the hot drink sloshing a bit as it skidded to a halt in front of her. “And you?” S’kasia asked. “You are well?”
“Oh,” Eleri stared down into the murky contents of her mug. It was far too hot to drink yet, but she cupped her hands around the warmth. It wasn’t a question she was used to answering. “I’m well enough.”
“My brother is not mistreating you? If he is, I will personally sacrifice him to the maw.”
“I’ve had much worse patients than S’samph.He might be miserable, but at least he’s compliant.” The pastry arrived through a slot in the wall. She took a bite. It was more sour than sweet, but at least it was something different than her usual clinic meal packs.
S’kasia’s tail arched high overhead. “I mean beyond healthcare. My hope is that he is courting you properly so we can put all the mess when you first arrived behind us. But my brother has a brain filled with sand at the best of times, so if he gives you any further trouble, you must come speak to me.”
“S’samph isn’t the one giving me trouble,” she muttered into her steaming mug, not sure what had come over her as soon as she registered that she’d said the words aloud. Sheepishly, she waved a hand in front of her face. “That was rude of me. I appreciate your offer. If S’samph gives me trouble about doing his recovery exercises, you’ll be the first to know.”
What Eleri had considered a steep arch of S’kasia’s tail only peaked higher. “Who is bothering you?”
“Forget I said anything.” Eleri took a sip of the scalding liquid and winced. Her troubles with Myla and Minio were her own problem to solve.
“I can make a guess.” S’kasia slugged back the remainder of her drink. “Myla has intentions for you."
"She might," Eleri admitted.
S’kasia’s tail thudded hard against the floor, thumping twice as the frill around her neck lifted. “Myla and herf’fretbrother have done nothing but cause problems since he arrived here.”
“I’m sure they mean well.” The words were as hollow as the sentiment. She doubted they meant well, but she would rather not stir up trouble.
“They do not.” S’kasia leaned in closer across the table. “I will tell you how Minio came to join his sister in Laurus. You will not give them such kindness when you know the truth.”
Eleri pressed the tip of her burnt tongue to the roof of her mouth as she waited for S’kasia to continue. The latil’e pressed a button on the holoscreen to order another drink. This one was pale blue and smelled sharply of peppercorns.
“Myla wants it to be a secret, but nothing is a secret very long in a small place. I also am very good at learning secrets.” She traced the tip of one of her claws around the frosted rim of the glass. “I know she has told you ofher wealthy family on Brasnia Prime.”
“She has,” Eleri said.
S’kasia’s tail twitched with amusement. “She cannot help but tell everyone. Minio is from the same family, but he dishonored them, so they sent him here.”
“Dishonored how?”
“It is only rumors, but I know there is truth somewhere in the grains of sand.” She paused to take a sip of the new drink before flicking out her tongue and pushing the glass away. “I am always disappointed by the p’feri here.” S’kasia’s gaze focused back on Eleri. “He harmed a female who was intended to be his mate. She was from an important family on Brasnia Prime. They called for his death, but his kin were able to negotiate an exile instead. Myla wishes to make a respectable male of him here. I think it is impossible.”
“It sounds serious.”
“Kyrot do not tolerate violence toward their females, but to call for death implies something beyond a mild conflict.”
“He’s never struck me as dangerous.” Eleri stared down into the pool of her cooling drink, stomach too twisted to drink it now.
“Anyone can be dangerous.” S’kasia dragged the tip of one of her claws across the table. “In my time serving the temple, I learned the biggest danger was to underestimate anyone. Our males are smaller than our females on Latilla, but danger comes from intentions, not from size.”
“I’m not exactly a stranger to violent males.” Eleri swallowed her explanation. She’d rather not talk about Rhys unless pressed. “But I’ll keep my eyes open.”
“Humans do not have strong instincts against predators, so I’m glad I’ve been able to warn you properly. K’kaen and S’samph will also be aware for you.” S’kasia’s frill ruffled. “He will not harm you under our watch. But it is still wise to be cautious.”
“I appreciate it,” Eleri said and then glanced at the digital display on her wrist. Even if the clinic was technically closed, she still had a full evening of studying to do for her qualifying exams. “I have to get back to work.” It took all her effort to stifle a yawn. A nap sounded appealing, but if she let herself sleep now, she’d never get to sleep at night.
“Before you go. This is for you.” S’kasia pressed a fabric-wrapped package into her hand. “It will help you sleep. I know you’re a medic, but S’samph mentioned you struggle to sleep most nights. This is made from a plant we brought over from Latilla.”
On instinct, Eleri brought it to her nose and inhaled a sharp, peppery aroma. She coughed. She wouldn’t offend S’kasia by asking whether itwas toxic for humans or not. That was a question best answered on her own time. “What is it called?”
