their quarters, completely confused. What was up with all the mess and the ancient, barely usable furniture and bot? Margol Illibrium miners were well-known for having highly paid, secure life-long positions. Illibrium miners were rich. Why were they living like this?
Zayzon took the tablet from her and pointed toward the door.
She blinked and glanced toward the portal. Oh, they were leaving right now? She blew out a breath, readying herself to step outdoors again. At least this time there would be no storm, and Zayzon would be with her.
She glanced down at Zayzon’s gloves. Did she need to wear gloves too before they went outside? She pointed at her own bare hands and his gloved claws. He shook his head, showing his complete unconcern. Oh-kay. If he wasn’t worried, then she wasn’t either.
Another brother, with a thinner face than Zayzon, ran up and shoved something into her hands. He smiled, exposing some seriously long fangs, and gestured for her to open the package. She looked down, pried it open and was delighted to find some sort of meat. It smelled wonderful. Her stomach growled with hunger. This male was giving her breakfast to-go? He handed another packet to Zayzon. He also shoved a small disposable container of warm drink into her hand and he also gave one to Zayzon. Then he waved them both towards the front door.
Well, it looked like they were ready.
“I’m going outside in my pajamas and kitten slippers?” she said to no one in particular.
Zayzon held his own food and drink in one giant claw and placed the other large, gloved claw on the small of her back again and guided her out the door.
Lila blinked at the morning light. The air was chilly and refreshing. The storm had passed, and a clear blue sky streaked overhead leaving residual puddles on the pathways and patches of drying pavement. Vibrant green vegetation and colorful flowers burst from every corner.
She’d landed on Timbur, a jungle planet. With wide, wide open skies.
Anxiety began to bubble in her chest. Her breaths coming out in short pants. She closed her eyes for a moment and forced herself to keep her chin down and continue forward. Zayzon was right next to her. She had to believe he wouldn’t bring her out here if it was dangerous. She was going for a walk with an Illibrium miner. What was safer than that?
She kept her eyes on the environment and focused on the here and now, trying not to worry about what might swoop down from the sky.
This planet was fascinating.
All this precipitation was surprising and exotic considering she’d grown up in conditions one step above desert. Rain happened rarely on most of New Earth and water conservation was a fact of life. Standing on a colony where water was so plentiful that it fell from the sky and collected on the ground, on what seemed to be a daily basis—this was amazing.
Last night this place had seemed so wet and foreign, but now in the light of day it appeared orderly and clean. And she was walking down the street with an imposing Illibrium miner, as if this was that reality show everyone watched about regular beings plucked from obscurity and paired with universal heroes. The household staff back home would be so jealous. Illibrium mines were mysterious and totally off-limits to random visitors. It really was amazing that she was here on Timbur, but she was also even more concerned than ever that she’d be kicked off the first moment a peacekeeper found her here.
Everyone knew that the company that ran the mine didn’t allow beings on site who could potentially block production. Also, there was the possibility of thieves, because Timbur was the only planet in the four sectors with Illibrium.
A different worry began to invade her mind. Worry over everyone back home. What cruel, evil plan was Daniela working hard to implement? Who was she going to hurt next with her attempted take-over of the Garabedian corporation?
A rumble emitted from Zayzon’s chest. She glanced up and gave him a tremulous smile. He reached out and gestured to her hand.
“Uh?”
He grunted and bumped his hand against hers.
“Oh.” She finally understood and moved the food and the cup she’d been holding to one side. He reached out and squeezed her free hand, as if he could sense her bubbling anxiety. They continued to walk this way down the street, hand in gloved hand. Gods, his grip, and his towering, powerful nearness, even