Page 52 of Tempting Fate

Part of me thought I should feel uneasy about this, being on a faraway world with unfamiliar beings, all more powerful than me, essentially providing sexual services. But never once had they made me feel unsafe or obligated. They’d be mortified if I felt that way.

God, this corner of the galaxy really was better than Earth—Old or New—wasn’t it?

I took a mouthful of porridge, gazing at the planet above. It was hard for us modern humans to understand how vilified sex workers had been on Old Earth, especially historically, and how much harm those those attitudes had caused. Yet here was a culture where this was just part of something they had to go through, and they’d built a suitable framework around it. And despite me not fitting into that framework, my feelings and comfort were still a priority, not just from Airida, but the community as well.

I took in the distant mountains, the familiar faces around me, the warmth of the fire. And the porridge was delicious, even if I preferred purple awmi fruit to this blue one.

Heck, I might actually miss this place once I moved back to town.

Daiytak rose from the log bench and entered Airida’s hut. I hid a soft smile at their raised voices; the challenge was good for him.

We’d fallen into a pattern; once kalidi was done, I’d leave. If we saw each other outside of that, we could chat. But Airida was absolutely the kind of person I could fall for if I let myself; I had to keep a layer of detachment between us, had to separate kalidi and our growing friendship.

Ten minutes later, a sulky-looking Airida emerged into the sunlight, dressed in his loose, flowing trousers. I shouldn't have been distracted by his bare chest. Goodness knows I’d seen it enough times now, and many shaa’ith went with few clothes in the warmer weather—but that was them, and this was Airida.

And that was definitely a dick-print.

“Come on, get some breakfast down you,” Daiytak said.

I tore my eyes away. Airida sat on the other side of the fire to me, his posture tense. I gave him a small smile but kept quiet. He had to find his own way in the village, and I couldn’t insert myself into all areas of his life when he was trying to find out who he was, what made him shaa’ith, and had to make a life for himself. Not when I’d be leaving soon.

Breakfast was a leisurely affair, and when everyone had finished not just their food but their conversations, they stood to leave.

Every morning, a number of villagers would go down the hill to train. I’d seen it a couple of times, but it felt like intruding, especially when so many of them went in barely any clothes.

Airida was the last to stand, the last to turn towards the training field.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

He crossed his arms, drawing my attention to the flex of his biceps. “I will be. Daiytak said I had to join in with their exercises.”

“And you should.”

“Technically I do not have to,” he said, his words clipped, a sulky tilt to his chin. “They practice the adult forms, and I never came of age.”

“But you’re an adult.”

He gave a bitter laugh. “I am twenty seven standard years. Kri’ith males receive their first tusk gems when they come of age at nineteen. I was not permitted out to a gem shop, nor was I able to prove my worth in a public display.” He rubbed his smooth tusks, his gaze off to the distance. “It is as well I was hidden away, so none could look upon my disgrace.”

Poor baby. “None of that. Only some shaa’ith have tusk gems, and you look lovely just as you are.”

A faint smile lit his face.

More than lovely. “Chin up, you’ve got this.”

“I do not wish it. They can’t make me.”

I can.

Before I could think about it, I darted my hand out and gave his butt a sharp tap. “Get on with it.”

His mouth dropped open. All traces of sulkiness washed away, and his gaze locked on my hand.

Shit.

Way to make things awkward.

Airida swallowed, throat bobbing. “Why are things easier with you goading me?”