Beq leaned forward, and Maya rose to meet her. Their lips met, and for a moment Maya was frozen, not sure what to do next. She could feel every tiny movement of Beq’s tongue, the hot tickle of the other girl’s breath against her face, the press of Beq’s golden spectacles against the bridge of her nose. One of Beq’s hands had landed on Maya’s shoulder, and that slight contact sent a crackle through her like deiat.

“I don’t. Um.” Beq pulled back, slightly. “Know what I’m doing. I’ve never kissed anyone before.” Her throat worked as she swallowed. “I never thought I would want to.”

“I wanted to kiss you the day we met,” Maya said.

“Oh.” Beq seemed genuinely nonplussed. “Really?”

“Really.” Maya shook her head. “I don’t know what I’m doing either.”

“We could. Um. Try again.”

They tried again. And again, and again. Maya felt a deep, sweet ache rising inside her, and more than anything she wanted to feel Beq’s fingers against her bare skin. Beq’s hand was still on her shoulder, and Maya let her own hand land on the other girl’s knee, fingers brushing her trousers as she leaned into the kiss—

Beq pulled back abruptly and got to her feet so fast that Maya had to scramble out of the way.

“Sorry,” Maya said. “Did I—”

“Sorry,” Beq said at the same moment. “I’m sorry, I just—”

They lapsed into a deeply embarrassed silence.

“I didn’t mean to … startle you,” Maya said. “If I did anything—”

“No, it’s not that. I mean. It’s not …” Beq swallowed again. “I just need to … think.”

“That’s fine.” Maya drew in a long breath, blew it out, trying for calm. Seeing the expression on Beq’s face, she got to her feet. “It’s fine, Beq.”

“I’m sorry for making things … complicated.” Beq shook her head, and tears glittered in her eyes. “I should go.”

Maya wanted badly to grab her hand but guessed that would make things worse. “Beq. Look at me.” When the other girl met her gaze, eyes huge through her spectacles, Maya spoke carefully. “Thank you. For the kiss. It was something I wanted … pretty badly. And you have nothing to apologize for.”

“Okay,” Beq said in a small voice.

“I’m going to beat him,” Maya said. “When I do, I’ll be a centarch, with a centarch’s authority. The Council doesn’t have enough evidence to lock up a full centarch, and I’ll be able to choose my own assignments. I’m going to follow Jaedia and find out what happened. I hope you’ll come with me.”

“Of course,” Beq said. She pushed up her spectacles and wiped her eyes.

“In which case,” Maya said, “we’ll have plenty of time to … talk about this. After you’ve thought about it.”