Page 14 of Tempting Fate

Garrison leaned in. “It’s not anything you want to help with, believe me. Let the shaa’ith handle it.”

I heard a shout, then the echo of cross voices coming from the hut, and turned towards it.

Shohari grabbed me, steering me back to the fire with surprising gentleness. “I don’t want to know, and neither do you.” She snorted, all four nostrils vibrating. “Or maybe you do, and I definitely don’t want to know. Trust that he will be okay, little human. I have to.”

Well, Shohari knew best, after all. I gave one last glance to Airida’s hut before sitting down with my friends. They had adventurous tales to tell, and I was all ears.

THE SCENT OF sweet porridge drifted through the open window, rousing me from sleep. I snuggled deeper into the shaa-style nest, too big for me, of course, but at least I could cuddle up to one of the raised sides, the plush feather-softness embracing my back like a lover.

I dragged my hand over my curls, thankfully healthier again now I’d found a conditioner here that worked. Of course my scarf had fallen off in the night—again. The dark green fabric wasn’t quite right, as slippery as chiffon, but it was the best thing I’d found since I’d lost my bag—and all my things—in the riot.

Ugh.

I sat up, opening my eyes, letting the light chase away the bleak memories. Instead, I focused on unknotting the scarf before placing it, folded, on my pillow. How hard could it be to turn into a bonnet, really?

Yeah, like I knew anything about sewing. There’d been no such thing as sewing machines on Ceres III; that was the province of Pallas I Station. All I could do was manage a needle and thread for a rough repair.

I showered and dressed, and headed to the central cooking pit for some of that sweet, sweet breakfast. I found a seat between Daiytak and Orukem and took the offered bowl, the honey-scented porridge steaming and topped with slices of green fruit.

“Good morning, Imani. Are you rested?” Orukem gave me an indulgent smile. She was friendly enough, though I still felt like an outsider, an intruder on their little haven of a village. Another good reason to be getting back to town.

“I’m good, thanks. Did you sleep well?”

“I would have slept better if Tokki hadn’t woken me with his cock every few hours. Anyone would think he’d been away for a month.” She broke into laughter.

A number of people joined in. I smiled and stayed quiet; the open, bawdy way they talked about sex had taken some getting used to. It was nothing like the kri’ith crew of the Dorimisa, and I could only assume it was something specific to shaa’ith culture.

“Get yourself a ki’tsi and you wouldn’t have that problem,” someone called out from across the fire.

Orukem let out a very kri’ith growl. “Perhaps I shall. Perhaps once the newcomer is through kalidi I’ll find my match.”

“What’s kalidi?” My translator only offered me ‘hot time,’ which told me nothing at all.

Her face tightened, and she clacked her jaw. “A shaa’ith matter.” She stood and headed towards Airida’s hut.

Yet more of their reticence. Whatever. It was none of my business.

His image swam in my mind’s eye, as much shaa as kri’ith, his mouth not split as wide—though I wondered if that changed when he smiled. His crystal purple eyes had glistened in the firelight, the same colour as his sister’s, but not solid like hers; shaa’ith had eyes more like ours, but with pale blue sclera instead of white. Extra-chiselled cheekbones. The cutest small tusks peeking over his lips. And glasses. Honest-to-goodness spectacles with gunmetal wire frames.

With medical tech being so much more advanced out here, I’d have assumed they’d be a thing of the past; they were rare enough on New Earth. But no, the new guy had cute glasses.

In a way, we were the same, he and I. Both taken from our homes never to return. Maybe we could find common ground.

Maybe we could be friends.

CHAPTER EIGHT

A galaxy so vast

Airida

MORNING SUN SLANTED through the window, casting streaks of warmth on the bedsheet. The scent of blooms carried in on the morning breeze, and I breathed it in, a pleasant contrast to the metallic air on the Dorimisa and reminiscent of my garden back home.

I glanced at my comm. Far too early. I didn’t normally rise until mid morning, but with the time difference between here and Orith, the chatter of people outside—at the fire, I presumed—and the unfamiliar surroundings, I wouldn’t be getting back to sleep any time soon. That, and kalidi would soon place its demands upon me.

The chiyi fluttered against the mesh panels covering the windows and pushed through the narrow gap, her stubby snout covered with pollen.

I managed a small smile. “I see you are finding your way, little one.” A strange pride filled my chest. This stowaway lizard was adapting so easily on this alien planet.