Page 119 of Alien Burn

Sereya studied him. His jacket was open at the throat, one cuff creased where she had fussed with it earlier. The sight nearly undid her.

“She said you would be disappointed.”

He went still.

“In you?”

Sereya couldn't quite make herself nod.

“Look at me a moment.”

The words caught her so sharply that he stopped. His eyes moved over her face.

“You don't have to,” he said.

She raised her head anyway. She wanted to see him choose what came next.

“I am angry with the person who frightened you. I am very glad you came to me. Those are the two things happening at present.”

A laugh escaped her, thin and unsteady.

“Only two?”

“I'm simplifying for the sake of the furniture.”

She glanced at the table. His hands were resting on it, open, but there was a tension through his forearms she hadn't noticed before.

He saw where she was looking and deliberately relaxed his fingers.

“May I?” he asked, turning one hand toward her.

She set down the glass and took it.

His palm was warm. She had expected that, and still her throat closed when his fingers settled around hers.

“I nearly walked past you,” she said. “Because she was angry that we'd had breakfast.”

His fingers closed a little more firmly around hers.

“I'm glad you didn't.”

She looked at their joined hands until she could say what she had come to tell him.

“There were people who wanted me gone,” she said at last. “Before I met her. I thought I'd got far enough away.”

Dhomhes didn't move.

“Does she know how to find them?”

“I don't know.”

He accepted the answer without pretending it was better than it was.

“If she threatens to contact anyone, tell me. Even if she makes it sound like a favor.”

“Everything sounds like a favor.”

“Then tell me those too.”