“Yes, that would be great. I’m already feeling overwhelmed!” Paige exclaims.
“Hey, do you know anyone who can sew? I’ve put some feelers out but haven’t found anyone yet?”
Paige shakes her head.
Trinh sighs slowly. “Damn. Okay, can you ask around for me?”
“Sure thing,” Paige replies.
“Oh, one other thing… Are you and L’Awai heading out with the rest of the Cerasteans, or are you staying behind?”
“We’re both heading out. They need him on the frontlines, and we can’t be apart for very long. I’m trying not to dwell on it. I’m scared. I wish we could both stay here instead. I don’t know anything about war or fighting. I was a schoolteacher, you know?” Paige says, a worried frown wrinkling her brow.
“I completely understand. But you know L’Awai and the Cerasteans are going to do whatever it takes to keep all of us safe.” Trinh hugs the worried woman.
“Trinh is right. Your safety is every Cerastean’s top priority. It is the reason we are dealing with the Ostiums now, to ensure your, and every human’s, wellbeing. We will all do whatever it takes to protect your people,” I interject.
“I know. I just don’t like violence. I don’t want anyone to get hurt — especially L’Awai. I want him safe with me. And I don’t like the thought of being on the front line of war,” Paige says like she’s telling us a terrible secret.
“Have you talked to L’Awai about how you’re feeling?” Trinh asks.
“L’Awai is already under so much stress, I don’t want to add to his worry.”
“He can smell your emotions. If something is bothering you, he’s probably aware of it. Odds are, he’s jumping to the wrong conclusions. Even though he’s an alien, he’s still a man,” Trinh says in a matter-of-fact tone that makes me snort.
Both women look at me and giggle. Trinh gives me a slow wink.
“Ugh, you’re probably right. That might explain why he’s been so stressed out since the announcement. I’ll talk to him. I didn’t want to be a burden, but I probably made it worse,” Paige says. “I feel better talking to both of you, though. I know what I need to do.”
“Of course! Now go find your man and talk to him,” Trinh commands.
The woman gives Trinh another hug and scampers off with the scent of relief trailing behind her.
At that moment, the elevator arrives, and we step into it together. Trinh seems lost in thought. Stepping into the elevator, I press the button for the floor we need.
“Does it normally take you that long to get anywhere?” I ask, only half teasing.
“Eh. Sort of. I don’t have anywhere I have to be, so it’s easy to take the time to talk. And you know human women – wereallylike to talk,” Trinh says with a smirk. I wisely say nothing in response to this. I have learned when silence is the right answer.
The scent of Trinh’s worry begins to fill the small elevator box.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Trinh says, but when I give an exaggerated sniff of the air, she huffs and rolls her eyes at me. “Okay, fine. I’m just worried you guys will have a ship full of brides on the frontline, scared out of their minds. I just wish there were something we could do to help them.”
“Almost none of the brides will be on the actual frontlines. They will be hidden in a cloaked vessel far away,” I reply.
“Yeah, but those women are still going to be scared. And alone. I just wish they had the choice not to go if they didn’t want to. It’s just our pheromones you’re physically addicted to, right? Too bad there isn’t a way to bottle it up for the mated couples.”
As the elevator doors slide open, I stare at Trinh in amazement.
“What?” Trinh asks when she notices my staring.
“Trinh! An ampoule!” I gasp. “You’re a fucking genius!”
Trinh gapes in shock when I grab her up in a twirling hug. Recovering quickly, Trinh leans back in my arms, laughing joyously. Resting her arms on my shoulders, she gives me a sly grin and says, “I am a genius, aren’t I?”
Her declaration startles a laugh out of me. Her smile is so open and happy that I lean forward and brush a quick kiss across her lips without thought.
