Page 108 of Alien Burn

“No.”

Roemary looked at him a little more carefully.

He kept his posture easy. She had asked for a meeting about her safety. He had no intention of supplying the names of anyone else who had done the same.

“She can become confused when she's frightened,” Roemary said. “I've had to help her through a great deal.”

“Then you'll appreciate that her private conversations should remain private.”

The smile returned, thinner now.

“Of course. I wasn't asking you to betray a confidence.”

“Was there a specific threat you wanted to report?”

She lowered her eyes. When she looked up again, their brightness might have been tears.

“I haven't been sleeping.”

“The medical staff can help with that.”

“It isn't a medicine I need.”

He waited.

She leaned forward, her voice dropping.

“You always seem to know what to do. Everyone rushes about, making promises, but you actually listen. I thought perhaps we could talk somewhere without a desk between us.”

She rose before he answered and came around the corner of it.

Dhomhes stood.

Her hand settled on his forearm.

He stepped back, taking his arm out from under her fingers.

“Don't.”

Roemary went still.

The word hadn't been loud. It had been enough.

“I only meant⁠—”

“I am in Courtship with Sereya. I don't want a private relationship with you. I have tried to make that clear.”

Color came into her face. “You think very highly of yourself.”

“On several subjects. This needn't be one of them.”

Her mouth tightened. For the first time since entering the room, she appeared to have forgotten the listening corridor.

Then she smoothed the wrap against her arm.

“I was frightened. I reached for someone I thought might be kind.”

“If you feel unsafe, we'll address the reason. You can speak to the security commander, the residence staff, or me. That doesn't require you to touch me.”