Page 64 of Alien Burn

“I'm here.” Her voice was softer. “There are so many.”

“The lights interfere this close to the house.”

“Don't move. This is lovely.”

He rested his forearms on the railing and held the comm steady.

Inside, a door closed. Tivek said something too muffled to make out, and Sheira laughed. Sereya heard it; he could see the small change in her expression.

“Is that your brother?”

“Yes. He tells me you've met.”

Her eyes widened.

“The boy in the corridor?”

“Tivek.”

“He never told me his name.”

“Apparently neither did you. A serious failure on both sides.”

“He was busy telling me about the ceiling.”

“I heard.”

She covered her mouth. “He told you that?”

“With considerable approval.”

“I liked him.”

Dhomhes looked toward the lit doorway.

“He liked you too.”

“I'm glad.”

She said it without calculation, simply pleased. His fingers tightened on the comm. He could bring her into view with a turn of his wrist, hear her voice, watch her smile. The ache beneath his ribs only grew. He needed her within reach.

He turned the view back toward himself.

Sereya was still smiling. She stopped when she caught him looking.

“You've done it again,” she said.

“I have.”

“Is it the smile?”

“Among other things.”

Her fingers tightened around the blanket.

“You are very different when you aren't being a Gol-Vett.”

“I'm afraid I remain one, even on my father's terrace.”