Page 101 of Tamed By Her Touch

“That doesn’t sound very certain.”

Maera laughed.

“You must understand, Doctor Donovan, veloria is so common here that asking whether women who drink it differ from women who do not would be almost like asking whether people who drink water differ from those who do not.”

“Which is exactly how important things get overlooked,” Clair said.

Maera’s expression became more serious.

“You believe the veloria might have something to do with the Love Virus?”

“I don’t know yet.” Clair looked down at the luminous flowers. “But we came here because the men on this planet are infected with what appears to be essentially the same virus that’s killing women on Glenvarren, except your men aren’t violent. Then this morning I find out nearly every woman on Titus Four has spent most of her life consuming the same native plant. It might be coincidence but then again, it might not.”

Maera frowned.

“But do you really believe in coincidence when it comes to scientific matters?”

Clair shook her head.

“I’m a scientist. I believe coincidences are nature’s way of telling you to look closer.”

Maera smiled.

“I like that.”

Clair looked around the vast greenhouse.

“Do you have analytical equipment here?” she asked. “I’d like to run some tests.

“Not in the conservatory, but there is a botanical laboratory through there.”

Maera pointed toward another translucent wall.

Clair grinned.

“Exactly what I was hoping for. Lead the way.”

The laboratory beyond was smaller than the one she shared with Kaelus aboard the Mother Ship, but it was beautifully equipped. The counters appeared to be grown from the same pale crystalline material as the walls, and instead of screens there were floating holographic displays which appeared whenever Maera touched certain places on the work surfaces.

Clair immediately felt at home.

“Do you mind if I analyze a blossom?” she asked.

“Not at all.”

Maera returned to the growing chamber and came back with three fresh veloria flowers. Clair selected one and began preparing the sample, though she had to ask for help several times because the Titus Four equipment operated differently from Kindred technology.

After several minutes, a complex molecular profile appeared in the air above the workbench. Clair leaned closer to study it.

“Huh,” she said.

Maera came to stand beside her.

“What is it? What do you see?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

The veloria blossom contained dozens of identifiable compounds, including several antioxidants, hormonal regulators, and anti-inflammatory molecules which explained at least some of the traditional health claims. But there was one structure Clair didn’t recognize.