If she’d hoped for a warmer presentation, she tried not to let it show. There was no reason for him to call her his mate, as they’d done to appease her mothers. “You must be quite startled.”

“You have no idea. But I’m used to rolling with bizarre new developments. I mean, one minute I’m picking up trash and the next, I’m an alien’s intended. Sometimes I still can’t believe my new normal is fighting monsters on an alien planet.”

“What type of monsters?” Aevi asked. “Do you need assistance? I’m quite fierce, and my bite is venomous.”

Beryl bent down, putting herself on eye level with the Pherzul, and Qalu warmed to her immediately for that small kindness. “I’m willing to take you, but Zylar’s on patrol this week, so you’ll need to ask him when he gets back.”

“Are we…welcome here?” Helix asked, seeming hesitant.

“Always. I’m sure there’s more to talk about, but I always want to get clean after I’ve been traveling. Let me show you the hygiene facilities and while you’re tidying up, I’ll make something to eat.”

Helix appeared to be troubled, his posture radiating worry, reinforced by the movement of his head tendrils. “You don’t have a dispenser?”

“No, we prepare meals the old way.”

“Is this…my fault?” he asked.

“Why would you think that? Never mind. Zylar got demoted after Snaps interfered in the Choosing. We barely squeaked an approval and ended up assigned here. But don’t worry, we’re both healthy and happy.” She curled her forelimb, demonstrating some point that Qalu didn’t grasp. “Look, stronger than I’ve ever been! This way, let’s get you settled.”

The hygiene facilities were unlike any Qalu had ever encountered, but she soon learned how to do the manual washing of her person. Afterward, Aevi pleaded to explore with Snaps, and Beryl seemed to think it was safe, so she permitted it, knowing how much the Pherzul needed to run and climb and feel the sun shining down on her.

“Come back before Zylar gets home,” Beryl called to Snaps. “And do not leave the settlement. I’m trusting you!”

“I promise! I’m a dog of my word.”

“He’s precious,” said Qalu.

“Your Aevi is delightful.” She showed the bone spurs in her mouth—slightly alarming.

She’d seen Bojak make the same expression, but Helix whispered, “It’s a friendly facial expression among humans, not a menacing display.”

She’d known that already, but it was sweet that he was worried about her being frightened. “Understood,” Qalu murmured.