Page 24 of Sanctuary and Spices
The environmental systems hummed discordantly behind us. In the garden, tiny points of light flickered as crystals responded to power fluctuations.
“Ran into Soryn on a mining colony.” Ronhar shifted, his arm brushing mine. “He was leading a Solace team - protection detail for some xenobotanists. Took one look at what I could do with plants and offered me a contract.”
“Just like that?”
“Well, there may have been an incident first.” His markings pulsed with amusement. “Colony had these native vines - nastythings that would strip flesh from bone. Local thugs thought they’d shake down the scientists. I... convinced the vines to object.”
I tried to picture it - Ronhar, younger and angry at being cast out, using his gifts to protect strangers. “Bet that made an impression.”
“Soryn said anyone who could turn hostile flora into allies was worth recruiting.” He laughed softly. “Didn’t hurt that I could cook better than their field chef.”
“So you worked together after that?”
“For years. Specialized missions - anywhere Solace needed someone who understood both combat and conservation.” His voice turned thoughtful. “Soryn taught me there were ways to protect what mattered without cutting yourself off from everything else.”
A sudden surge in power made the crystals flare. I blinked against the brief brightness, caught the shadow that crossed Ronhar’s face.
“What happened?” I asked quietly.
“Nothing dramatic. Just...realized I was tired of fighting. Wanted to build something instead of just defending it.” His fingers brushed mine in the renewed darkness. “When Soryn mentioned retiring to open the café, it felt right. Still get to protect what matters, just...differently now.”
There was longing in his voice. And something else.
“And are you happy here?” I asked softly.
He hummed, quietly. “I don’t know yet. But I think I could be.”
The way he said it made me wonder what—or who—he considered worth staying for.
In the shadows of the café, the silence stretched between us. My skin tingled where Ronhar’s fingers rested against mine.
His free hand came up, fingertips barely grazing my cheek. My eyes fluttered closed at the touch.
“Jani...” His breath whispered across my skin.
A crash from the kitchen doorway shattered the moment. Light blazed as Pix burst in, trailing cables and glowing components.
“Found it!” they announced triumphantly. “The backup crystal matrix just needed a little percussive maintenance!”
Emergency lighting sputtered to life, harsh and blue-white after the intimate darkness. I blinked against the sudden glare.
Ronhar’s hand dropped from my face. He stood in one fluid motion, pulling me up with him. His markings had dimmed to barely visible.
“Good timing,” he said, voice carefully neutral. “The kalvyme was starting to show signs of stress.”
“Oh! Was that why you two were...” Pix’s antennae waggled suggestively.
“Checking the plants,” I said quickly. Too quickly. “During the blackout.”
Pix bounced excitedly. “The crystals should be stable now, though I had to bypass three subsystems and possibly ignore a few safety protocols. But hey, no explosions! Yet.”
“Maybe we should check the rest of the garden,” I suggested, trying to slow my racing heart. “Just to be safe.”
“Oh! Yes! Safety first!” Pix’s antennae wiggled knowingly. “I’ll just go... calibrate something. Somewhere else. Far away. Take your time!”
They disappeared in a whirl of cables and enthusiasm, leaving awkward silence in their wake.
Ronhar’s markings pulsed softly as he looked down at me. “We should probably...”
