“Khatak!” she calls, her voice bright with pleasure. “Over here!”
Her dark brown hair is pulled back in that same neat ponytail, though a few strands have escaped to frame her face. The warm brown of her skin seems to glow under the amber courtyard lights.
My chest does something strange and wonderful. She remembered my name. She said my name. And she sounds… happy. Happy that I’m here. Happy to see me specifically.
Guilt assails me that she thinks I didn’t invite her here today just to “hang,” as the humans call it. This might be my last chance to arrange a meeting. Not at all because I’m trying to get close to her…
And just that thought leads to dangerous waters, because I realize I do want to get close to her. Despite my goals, despite my determination to achieve what needs to be done, I find myself grinning as I make my way toward her, weaving between other guests.
Sutek couldn’t remember me. The Drakoon at pumpkin carving actively mocked me. But Selene…
Focus, Khatak. Mission. Alliance. Rist.
But I’m already standing next to her, and she’s grinning widely up at me, and all my careful mental reminders about duty and obligation are scattering like leaves in the wind.
“Perfect timing!” She beams at me when I reach her side. “We’re about to start the next round.”
She gestures to the nearest barrel, and I get a better look at the krivva fruit bobbing in the clear water. Up close, they’re even more impressive—each one perfectly ripe, the spikes soft and giving, the emerald skin practically glowing.
“The rules are simple,” Selene continues. “You try to catch the fruit with just your mouth. No hands allowed. Whatever you catch in the time limit, you get to keep.”
Keep. She said keep.
I stare at the barrel, doing rapid mental math. Each krivva fruit is worth… not a fortune, but enough that you don’t just give it away. The kind of thing you buy for special occasions, or when you want to impress someone. And the hotel is using them for a game?
“They’re really good,” Selene adds, noticing my expression. “Sweet, almost like honey. Have you tried them before?”
“Once or twice,” I manage. Not adding that I’ve only ever eaten them at diplomatic functions where I was too nervous to truly enjoy anything. The kind of functions where I met Sutek, and yet didn’t leave a lasting impression.
I glance at the other participants. Most are various species I recognize—a Drakoon with impressive golden wings, several Nakar with their long tails curling around them, and beings I can’t immediately identify. Water drips from everyone’s face as they participate in the games.
I look down at my own attire—formal jacket, carefully pressed shirt. Getting wet seems unwise. But here, now, seeing everyone else equally soaked…
No one seems concerned about maintaining appearances. They’re just having fun.
And Selene is looking at me with those warm brown eyes, clearly hoping I’ll participate. Looking at me as if she’s been looking forward to this activity all day long…
“Ready?” she asks, voice breathless with excitement.
I nod, stepping up to my assigned barrel. Providing resources. Gathering. Succeeding at the most basic task.
The water is clear. The krivva fruit bob gently, their spikes catching the light.
I can do this. I will do this. I’ll catch the fruit, and impress her, and ask her…
I lean forward?—
CLANG.
My horns—my pathetically small horns that my brother always mocks as “barely there”—hit the metal rim of the barrel with a resonant sound that echoes across the courtyard.
Several guests turn to look. Heat floods my face. Perfect. I can’t even approach the barrel correctly. I’m not at all doing anything impressive at this point.
I adjust my angle, tilting so my horns clear the rim. Better.
I commit this time, opening my mouth as I plunge toward the water?—
Water shoots directly up my nose.
