Qalu’s head tendrils shivered over how charming that offer was. “I don’t, currently. There’s Aevi, of course, but tomorrow is soon enough for you two to meet.”

Aevi must know she had a visitor by now, but she tended to be standoffish with strangers, so she was likely hiding in Qalu’s quarters. Hopefully she wouldn’t startle Helix by coming to inspect him during the sleep cycle.

He spun so quickly that Qalu almost reached out to steady him, drawing back only as she remembered her promise. “Did you say Asvi?” he asked.

“No, Aevi. Why?”

“It doesn’t signify, just more of my mental caprice. Thank you for the hospitality. It will be unique to have my own space.”

“This is the sleeping platform. I’m sure you’re familiar, but if you aren’t, adjust the temperature settings here. I like to be toasty, but I’m usually wrapped in my swator as well, so I set it a bit lower.”

“That’s what this garment is called?” He plucked at the folds enveloping him, and the motion drew her attention to the sea-gleam of his scales.

Stop. You will not be improper with one who relies on you.

“Yes, it’s traditional on Tiralan during eclipse season. The gloom lasts for a long time, every ten-span, and the darktides are long.”

“Understood. You have been most helpful.”

“Restful sleep,” she bade him.

That prompted another response as she turned to go. “There is something with which you could further assist.”

Qalu took comfort in that request. When he’d first awakened, he had been so angry that she thought he might despise her forever for saving him. “Certainly.”

“I have never done it, so I have no idea how it’s accomplished.”

“What, Helix?”

“Sleep. Out of intellectual curiosity, how does one sleep? Though I might posit that it’s impossible for one who is dreaming already.”

That was both an incredibly basic and incredibly difficult question. She’d never attempted to lay out the steps before. “You get into a comfortable, relaxed position. Quiet your mind. And you…drift away. Or turn off your conscious mind? I’m not sure how to describe it.”

“You can do this with ease? Simply switch off your thoughts.”

“Sometimes it’s difficult,” she admitted. “There are those who struggle with it, and medicines exist to ease the process, but you won’t know if you can do it until you try.”

“Today is a day of wonders,” he muttered. “I eat, I shall attempt to sleep. I’m a biological marvel.”

Qalu let out a gusty breath in silent amusement. “You are indeed. I’ll leave you to it. Dream well, if you manage to sleep, Helix.”

He reached for her then, but he didn’t connect, likely remembering the shock of skin on skin. Suddenly, it seemed unspeakably intimate to her as well, not something that should be done lightly.

“Qalu.”