She gave him a half-hearted shrug. “Step Allenovich and I argued over which one of us was going to have to fly way out here and save your scrawny ass. After a couple shots of whiskey, finally we drew straws. I got the short one, and Step wouldn’t go two out of three.”

“The fulfillment of dreams,” he whispered.

“How’s that?”

“I’ve fantasized about spending a night alone in the bush with you.” Oh, had he ever!

“Okay.” She arched a thin eyebrow. “So, like, a lot of men fantasize about spending a night with me. Most know it wouldn’t end well. None of them, however, are dumb enough to let a gotcha vine chew on them just to get the chance.”

“Then they’re fools.”

Her oversized dark eyes fixed on his with a curious intensity. “All right, tough guy, now that you’ve got me here, what are you going to do about it?”

He tried to fix his thoughts on the question, but they just seemed to drift aimlessly until an image of her popped into his head: Under a star-filled sky she lay on her back as he made love to her; her hair was spread on the ground in a midnight wave. Her legs were locked around his hips, her arms crushing him to her. He was staring into her eyes, drinking her soul. Lost in the image, he said, “You are beautiful, you know. Unlike any woman I’ve ever known. You’re so . . . fantastic.”

She laughed, flashing white teeth, which brought him back to the night, the camp, and the fact that she was fully clothed beside him. “Raya warned me. Said that you’d be drugged past any good sense, and anything might come out of your mouth.”

“I mean it. You are. I’d be honored to take you anywhere in Transluna. Can’t think of a single one of the courtesans who would merit more envy than if I walked into the Three Spires with you on my arm.”

Talina leaned back on her haunches, releasing his hand. “Now, that’s an aspiration I’ve never striven to attain. Wonder how it’s slipped my attention over all these years?”

“You mock me.” God, why couldn’t he find his wits? The drug? Really? If he could only think.

“Besides,” she told him, “I thought you were interested in Kalico. She’s the Supervisor. And you had a thing for her back in Transluna, even if you were a spectacularly crass boor about it.”

“I understand now.”

“Understand what?”