Kee cheered, but Varro scoffed. “No Valoff would react that way.”

The two sides in the show were based on some ancient human war, not the Valovian war—that conflict was still far too raw. There were starting to be more human-Valoff couples, including a handful of minor celebrities, but it wasn’t yet common, especially in the sectors farther away from Bastion and Valovia.

Kee rounded on Varro, her eyes flashing. “What is your problem?”

“I don’t have a problem.”

She huffed. “The stick up your ass suggests otherwise.”

Apparently that insult translated well enough because Varro’s eyes narrowed.

Before he could say anything, Kee returned her attention to the vid screen. “You’re not worth the time,” she said dismissively. “If you don’t like the show, you’re welcome to leave.”

Varro opened his mouth, then clicked it shut. His shoulders were a taut line. I glanced at Torran, to see what he thought of the exchange, but his gaze was focused on Varro and his expression was distant.

Maybe I wouldn’t have to intervene after all.

The second episode was just as good, and before we knew it, Kee had us watching a third. Even Varro’s tense posture relaxed as the show drew him in. It was sweet and funny and romantic, and the actors were excellent. This was one of Kee’s better picks.

I climbed to my feet before she could start a fourth episode. “It’s late, and I happen to know you all have an early morning of cleaning scheduled tomorrow.” I checked the time and corrected myself. “Today.”

Eli opened a group comm with Kee and me. “Are we going to take watch shifts?”

“No. I’ll have Starlight monitor for movement and alert me if anyone leaves the crew wing. Get some sleep while you can because I think we’re going to be spending some time on Valovia and we’ll need to be more careful then.”

They nodded and dropped the comm.

I pulled Havil aside as the room started to clear. “Are you okay?”

He inclined his head. “I am fully recovered.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” I swallowed and met his eyes. “Thank you for healing me. If there’s anything I can do to repay you, let me know.”

His smile was as kind as his eyes. “You are welcome. I am glad I was able to help. There is no debt between us.”

“You healed a pain I’ve been living with for five years. There is definitely a debt between us.”

He shook his head. “I was given my gift to help others, not to accumulate favors.”

“How did you endure the war?” I murmured to myself, but Havil caught the words and his expression darkened.

“I was lucky to be assigned to Torran.”