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She smiled faintly.

“So did I.”

Some of the tension left his shoulders. Kesta moved closer.

“For the record, I was tempted.”

Dreven went very still. She saw the reaction and continued before he could misunderstand.

“Not by Rath.”

His tail moved again. Kesta almost laughed.

“By the medicine. The records. The resources.”

“I know.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.”

Something in his tone made her look more carefully at him. Dreven glanced toward the antibiotics.

“If Ash Camp could give you everything he offered without the conditions, I would.”

The words struck harder than she expected. Kesta rested one hand against the table.

“I don't need you to give me everything.”

Dreven’s gaze returned to hers.

“No?”

“No.” She thought of the water token Pela had given her. Her work in the infirmary. The terms they had negotiated together. “I need room to build some of it myself.”

A slow warmth entered his silver eyes.

“That,” he said, “I can probably provide.”

Kesta smiled.

“Good.”

Outside, someone shouted from the condenser district. Dreven's expression changed instantly. Duty returned. He moved toward the door, then paused beside Kesta.

“Are you coming?”

Not stay here.

Not you are safer inside.

Kesta picked up her medical pouch.

“Obviously.”

His mouth curved. They left together.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN