Yirella had watched the spray shot that was quickly administered to each of the creatures with interest. She was sure it wasn’t a sedative, as they didn’t become drowsy. Instead the drug seemed to banish their emotions. Then she realized Alexandre was studying her. For once in her life she didn’t bow her head or look away; she returned hir gaze levelly.

“Did we pass?” she asked belligerently.

Surprisingly, Alexandre looked immensely sad and turned away. Yirella had followed the medical party as Dellian was carried into the treatment center. Now that the casualty team had finished with him, he was lying on a wide clinic bed, his wounds covered with long strips of surgical-grade a-skin, with various tubes emerging from blue blisters stuck to his arms. His munc cohort was snuggled up around him, drawing warmth and comfort from the touch—a scene reminiscent of puppies nestling around their mother. After spending her time on the resort island successfully playing the unattainable ice queen, she rather envied them and let out a sigh of regret.

Uma and Doony immediately tightened their hold on her legs, sensing her affection was being directed elsewhere. They only came up to her hips now, so they couldn’t see through the window. She stroked them again, down the nape of the neck, the way they enjoyed most, and cooed reassurance at them, body posture reinforcing the feeling, I’m fine, and I’m relieved for my friend, too. Everything is going to be good.

The chief doctor emerged from the treatment room and came over to her. “You can go in now, if you’d like,” sie said. “You’ll need to be quick. The sedatives are already making him drowsy.”

“Thank you.” For a moment Yirella hesitated, then she shook her head at her own reluctance. After everything they’d been through, having to find courage to face Dellian now seemed ridiculous.

She flicked a finger up, indicating that Uma and Doony should wait outside. They pouted and hung their heads, but didn’t protest as she went in.

Dellian peered up at her and smiled in recognition amid his chemical-induced serenity. “Hey, you.”

“Hey yourself. How are you?

“Doing okay, I think.”

“Your poor arm.”

“ ’Sokay.”

“I hope the a-skin brings your freckles back. I always liked them.”

“We’re alone in a bedroom together…”

She twitched a smile. “So we are. Savi and Callum, together again.”

“You kissed me.”

“What?”

“Back there, when we were stranded all alone on the tippity-ippity top of the mountain. You kissed me.”

She took his hand and brushed the knuckles to her mouth. “I did, didn’t I?”

“Do I get another?”

“Maybe. If you’re good and do as the doctors tell you.”

“How’s that going?”

“The moroxes didn’t cut you too deep.” She arched her eyebrow. “How lucky was that? Unbelievable, in fact. I guessed right.”

“So am I boosting?”

“What?”