Page 51 of Rainse
"This is not the time." Maelis rolled her eyes but was smiling. She turned back to Verity. "So, marine biologist?"
"That's right. I study cetaceans—whales and dolphins, mostly. Or I did. Now I'm thinking about expanding into xenobiology."
"Studying us, you mean?" Cerban's expression shifted to something more interested. "That could be useful. We still don't fully understand why the mate bond works with humans."
"That would be one of my research questions," Verity said, warming to the topic. "The biological compatibility between species that evolved on completely different planets—it shouldn't work. But it does. Rainse mentioned that the dating agency works with other alien species, not just finfolk. Why? What's the mechanism? Is it something in your DNA that happens to align with ours? Or is there something more complex happening?"
"You're going to fit right in," Maelis said. "I'm a scuba diver, so I can't help much with the biology side, but if you ever need someone to collect samples or map underwater caves, I'm your person."
"Noted. Thank you." Verity glanced at me. "Shall we go and have a nap?"
"Yes. As soon as I have had another portion of this fish. It almost tastes like back home."
I felt Cerban's eyes on me, assessing. When Verity turned to respond to something Maelis said, he leaned forward slightly.
"You did it," he said quietly. "You found your mate."
"I did."
"How does it feel?"
I considered the question. How did it feel? Like everything had finally clicked into place. Like the loneliness that had haunted me since the Matriarchs' judgement had been washed away. Like I'd found the piece of myself I hadn't known was missing.
"Like drowning and breathing at the same time," I said finally.
Cerban smiled—a real smile, full of understanding. "Yes. Exactly like that."
After breakfast, Verity's exhaustion finally caught up with her. I walked her back to her room—a well-appointed bungalow high up on the hill, with windows that overlooked the water.
"You should rest," I said, though leaving her felt physically painful. The bond pulled at me, wanting me to stay close.
"Are you giving me orders now?" she asked, but there was no heat in it.
"I'm expressing concern for your wellbeing."
"Mmm." She swayed slightly, and I caught her elbow. "Okay, fine. Maybe I'm more tired than I thought. That hut didn't exactly have the world's most comfortable sleeping arrangements."
"We weren't doing much sleeping," I pointed out.
"True." She looked up at me, eyes soft despite her exhaustion. "Will you stay? Just until I fall asleep?"
The question hit me harder than it should have. "Of course."
Inside, the room was cool and quiet, the bed large and inviting. Verity kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto it with a grateful sigh.
"This is so much better than sand and cushions," she mumbled into the pillow.
I sat on the edge of the bed, running my hand down her back. The greenskin along my arm reached out instinctively, the strands brushing against her shirt in a gentle rhythm.
"Your greenskin does that a lot," she said drowsily. "The reaching thing. Is it conscious?"
"No. I have no control over it. It just... wants to touch you. To maintain the connection. I don't think my brothers' greenskin does it. But..."
"I like it." Her eyes were already closing. "It feels safe."
Safe. Such a simple word, but it meant everything.
I stayed there, hand on her back, greenskin maintaining that gentle contact, until her breathing evened out into sleep. Even then, I didn't want to leave. The bond was content, settled, humming with satisfaction at her nearness.
