My Femeni’s voice took me out of my thoughts. With motions I forgot he leaned into my arms. My eyes half-lidded from his scent. There wasn’t anything like it here before, but I smelled it on his planet. The smell of trees, wet and dry, yet pleasant. My eyes closed. The sex was good… great, but it was nice to have his presence around. So much to do and yet there were moments like this where I almost felt like the old me.

Peter’s voice drew out, “You can’t protect me against the world.”

“What’s the Earth expression? The Hell I can’t.”

He panted several times before he continued. “We’re not fragile like your shells.”

“No, but nobody would intentionally drop one.”

I turned him toward me and inhaled deeply. More of his weight while light pushed against me. The formerly pleasure scent of trees and grass were replaced by something rotting. It reminded me of dead seaweed.

His voice drew out, “It’s hot. Why is it so hot?”

Without thought, I caught him as he fell toward the floor. I screamed for the royal physician within a heartbeat.

***

The dual purple force field around the medical bed shimmied as doctors hurried in and out. Strong enough to keep out contagions and insects but not the Dara doctors.

I didn’t need to see my face to know my frown. Memories of another Femeni in bed while doctors promised undelivered miracles replayed in my head.

I blinked several times quickly while beads of sweat ran down Peter’s forehead. I saw the fog around his mouth amid the cold air in his bubble. Yet, he continued to sweat. He didn’t like me calling him tiny. Now he looked more so. Almost as every tear, or lost fluid took away more of him. I suppose in a way it did.

My voice was louder than I intended but I wouldn’t apologize. “Prognosis?”

A dark-skinned Dara with thick red hair approached quickly. His name escaped me even though I’m sure I knew it before. “His immune system is compromised.”

“How will you fix this?”

He swallowed hard. “We don’t know enough about the Earthlings.”

“Then what was your excuse for Volardi Femeni? You knew enough about them. Ninety-five percent of those died. Others linger between death. Shall I expect fewer results?”

His shoulders rose with every sentence.

Don’t.

It was several quick breaths before I continued. I attempted to say my words with kindness, but I doubt if I succeeded. “It is too early to bury another so soon.” I softened my tone and my hand gripped his shoulder. “Fix this, please. This is an order.

***

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

PETER