Page 38 of Sanctuary and Spices

I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. “Or just a mislabeled order.”

“Either way,” Mai said, “that’s some of the best stock we’ve had in cycles. You should put it to good use.”

Jani’s grin softened as she turned to me. “I guess I owe you for the delivery, then.”

“Consider it an investment in the festival menu,” I said, barely resisting the urge to glance away.

“Speaking of investments.” Barou’s scaled form filled the doorway, her imposing presence commanding attention. “You’re staying for breakfast.”

It wasn’t a request. I opened my mouth to protest, but she cut me off with a sharp wave of her hand.

“The pastries are almost ready,” she said, her tone brooking no argument. “Sit.”

Trapped, I sighed and pulled out a chair.

At least I’d get to see Jani enjoy the spices. Even if she never knew who had made sure they ended up in her hands.

Mai and Jun exchanged knowing looks, their feathers rippling with amusement as they sipped their tea. Pix buzzed around the kitchen, already poking at the box’s contents to see what else had been included.

Jani just smiled, her hands already shaping another piece of dough. “You might as well sit,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at me. “Barou doesn’t take no for an answer.”

I shook my head, but I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. “Guess I’m staying for breakfast.”

And truthfully, I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else.

Jani bit back a smile as she returned to her work. I found myself a corner that wouldn’t interfere with the morning routine while still letting me watch her move through the kitchen. The way her hands shaped the dough with careful precision. The slight furrow of concentration between her brows as she adjusted seasonings.

“More coffee?” Mai appeared at my elbow with a steaming mug.

“Thank you.” I accepted it, noting her knowing look.

The kitchen filled gradually with residents. Ven’ra claimed her usual spot, dispensing cryptic wisdom between sips of tea. Dex zipped through with messages, stealing bites of whatever Jani was baking. The familiar chaos of community wrapped around us, but I remained hyper-aware of Jani’s presence. Of how the markings along my arms brightened whenever she passed close by.

Did she feel it too? This pull between us grew stronger each day. Among my people, such a connection meant only one thing - she was my mate. But humans didn’t form bonds the same way. How could I explain what I felt? What I knew with bone-deep certainty?

“These need to cool,” Jani announced, sliding a tray of golden pastries onto the counter. “Don’t touch them yet, Pix.”

“But they smell so good!”

“Five minutes.”

She moved to the sink to wash up, brush of her arm against mine as she passed sending sparks along my skin. My markings flared bright enough to reflect in the metal counter.

“Interesting reaction,” Barou commented mildly.

I focused very hard on my coffee.

When we finally left for the café, I found myself hyper-conscious of our closeness as we walked through Havenstone Commons. The morning crowd parted around us, vendorscalling greetings as we passed. But my attention stayed fixed on the woman beside me, on the way the crystal formations in the walls brightened in our wake.

“The station feels different lately,” Jani said quietly. “More... alive?”

I nodded. “The crystals respond to certain energies. Certain connections.”

“What kind of connections?”

Before I could answer, we rounded a corner into the bazaar proper. The usual morning chaos surrounded us - merchants setting up stalls, delivery crews unloading crates, early shoppers hunting the best deals. But something felt off about the energy patterns...

“Did you notice that?” Jani asked, pointing to a cluster of crystals pulsing with unusual brightness.

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