Page 82 of Fire Forged

“It is never enough with you,thamani.”He threw her a grin before lowering Lily to the wet sand.Off went his shirt, then he was back in the water with Lily clutching his shoulder as he waded deeper.

She joined them, lowering herself until she bobbed with the waves.

Frequent glances at the suns showed them crossing the sky.Not that she could tell the time from that.Which one should she track?She snorted, her stomach twisting.

“Um, Nerx,” she said, striding out of the water.She angled her head to wring water from her hair.“I’m starving.”She swept out her arm at the forest-covered hill behind them.“Where are we staying?”

He smiled before stealing a kiss.“We are surrounded by buildings.They are hidden to not impact the beauty of this landscape.Come.”He held out his hand which she accepted.

“What about our stuff?”she asked, tugging on his arm to reach her towel.

“We will return after we eat.”

“Hot dogs,” Lily called, dancing around them.

They marched toward a gap in the forest, and as they neared, Britt spotted a path.Behind the tall trees, deep in their shadows, glass glinted on windowed units.

A lone man waited for them.He wore cream-colored yoga pants, a tunic, and sandals.“Greetings, Ambassador Nerx, miladies.Help yourself to any cabin.Enjoy the duration of your stay.”He bowed his head at Nerx.“Thekutais on standby as requested.Your personal items are on board.”

“My thanks, Lima Tico.”Nerx veered left and opened the door to the first unit.

White floors rolled toward windows on three sides overlooking the forest and glimpses of the beach.A massive bed dominated the space, facing the view.On the wall behind the bed was a door, probably leading to a bathroom.Opposite to the door was a short counter with a replicator and rehydrator.Two chairs and a table sat in one glass-walled corner.

“What would you like to eat,thamani?”Nerx strode across the room to the rehydrator.

“Hot dogs are fine and a soda for me, please.”She strolled to the windows and peered through the tinted glass.

When it slid open, bathing her with salty air, she squeaked.No railing made this dangerous.She couldn’t shake the idea they’d designed this place with children not in mind.

When she stepped back, the glass doors shut.“Can you lock it so they don’t open?”she asked, accepting the plate of hot dogs.

Nerx tapped the wall beside the door to access a panel.“Done.”

“Thank you.”The smell of hot dog hit her when she kneeled to offer one to Lily.“Take it,” she said, shoving the plate at Nerx, then bolted for the bathroom.

Despite the nausea, she couldn’t throw up, so she splashed water on her face then dried it with a toweling robe.In her home, she’d make damn sure they had normal towels.

“Are you not well?”he asked when she emerged.

“Too much sun.”She smiled and accepted the soda he offered her.“Probably dehydrated as well.”She took a deep pull from her can and hummed when it chilled her throat.“Much better.”But she didn’t go near the hot dogs, just in case.What would he do if she turned out to be allergic to his homeworld?She snorted at that bit of silliness.

Lily sat on a chair, her mouth full.

“After this meal, we are building a sand castle?”He frowned at Lily.

She nodded, her wide smile revealing a chewed sausage.

“You can stay here and rest, if you like.”Nerx caressed Britta’s cheek, concern in his pinched brow.

Britta squeezed his arm, tugged, then pressed a kiss to his mouth when he dipped forward.“Thank you.And don’t stay out too long.She’s as sensitive to the sun as I am.”She broke away to flick Lily’s braid.“Have fun, kiddo.”

Into the shower Britt stepped, eager to wash the sand and salt off her.When she emerged in her previously used toweling robe, the room was empty.She sank onto the edge of the bed, then flopped backward.Strangely tired, she dozed amid the odd silence.No insects or birds filled the forest with their music.

A coil of nausea tightened in her stomach, waking her.She stretched her arms and yawned.Maybe she was coming down with something—

She sat up, tapped her O.D.I., only to stare at the calendar, counting the days twice.

“No, no, no,” she sobbed.“It’s too soon.I can’t do this, not without love.”

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