Chapter 32
Cassie
The artist applied one final swipe of makeup on her face before hurrying Cassie out of the chair.
“You’re done. Hurry up. The Aviarist is waiting.
” She almost tripped over her shimmering blue gown in her haste to get out of the room.
Cassie hated the way her face looked all polished and painted like this.
She looked like a doll. The Aviarist was waiting for her with Hawk who was already done up in his tailored tuxedo.
One on each arm. A display of his success and power.
“There you are, Cassowary. Best behavior tonight. We have important dignitaries to impress.” The Aviarist snaked a hand around her waist while placing his other on Hawk’s shoulder before leading them both out into the echoing ballroom.
Golden walls around her. Holoharp music ringing through the air. Cassie smiled and vanished.
Cassie realized she’d never been to Eleri’s home before.
When she had invited Cassie to come over and try on dresses for the Moons-Filled Night, her instinct had been to turn her down, but Eleri had been so excited, and Cassie couldn’t remember the last time she’d had fun trying on clothes with another girl.
For the past several days, ?rim had been unusually fussy over her when she was in their home, so some breathing room was welcome.
It’s what she told herself as she stood in front of Eleri’s door and knocked.
“I’ll get it!” Eleri’s voice called inside.
“I am already at the door.” S’samph pulled it open to stare down at Cassie. “I have been told you are having human bonding time. There will be clothing exchanges and female conversation.”
Cassie didn’t even try to disguise her snort. S’samph’s frill rippled as he stepped out of the doorway to let her inside, where Eleri was rubbing the space between her eyebrows and shaking her head at her mate.
“I’m sorry about him. He’s… well, he’s S’samph. I can send him on a stupid errand if you don’t want him here.”
“Neither of you has combat training. We are on a high-security protocol, so you are, what is the human expression? ‘Stuck with me.’” S’samph did his best approximation of air quotes, which is something he must have picked up from Eleri. Now it was Eleri’s turn to snort.
“At least go to the other room. Cassie will want privacy to try on clothes.” Eleri put a hand on Cassie’s shoulder and towed her to a second room inside her home, which was filled with sturdy perches of varying heights as well as a human bed.
“For sleep?” Cassie asked, pointing at one of the perches.
“Lounging usually. S’samph is kind of like a big cat. Do you know what a cat is? We had cats on Gaia, but I know they’re not universal.”
Cassie nodded. “Meow.”
Eleri laughed. “Don’t tell anyone I called him a cat.
I’m sure he’s listening and going to give me an earful about that later.
” She opened a door on the far side of the room next to the bed.
“Let me show you what I have. You’re so tiny.
” Eleri pursed her lips before pulling out a few dresses.
One blue, one yellow, and one pink. They were all simple, much simpler than the beautiful gowns she’d worn for Aviary functions.
She pointed to the pink one with long butterfly sleeves.
It was safe. The Aviarist never had her in pink.
“Let’s try that one then!” Eleri was cheerful as she replaced the two dresses and handed Cassie the pink one. “S’samph buys me a million dresses, but I never have anywhere to wear them. If you like it, you can keep it.”
“Why are you so nice to me?” Cassie asked.
The question made Eleri pause in the closet. “Why shouldn’t I be nice to you?”
“I haven’t done anything for you.”
“But I want to be your friend anyway.” Eleri smoothed her hands over the pink dress. “When I lived on Gaia, my family convinced me my only value was taking care of my brother. Otherwise, I was useless. Why would anyone want someone like me?”
“But you’re a healer. You’re kind and helpful.” It seemed like an obvious answer. She paused before stripping out of her jumpsuit to try on the dress.
“Exactly. My family was lying.” Eleri straightened Cassie’s dress and then helped her with the ties in the back. “So pretty. It’s a good color for you.”
“I think I want to look pretty tonight.”
“Good. You should. You’re allowed to want things, Cassie. I know it’s hard with things feeling dangerous right now, but it won’t be forever. You’re allowed to keep living. We’ll keep you safe.”
Want things. What did she want? Thinking about what she wanted sent a strange thrill through her, one she knew she wouldn’t be able to deny for much longer. “I do want things.”
“It’s important that you do.” Eleri smiled. “Can I fix your hair?”
It was shaggy over her eyes, so Cassie let Eleri pin her hair back away from her face with two pretty barrettes. “How long have you lived here?” Cassie asked.
“I’ve been in Laurus for almost three years now.”
“Are you happy?”
This made Eleri laugh again. “I am. I didn’t know if I would be when I first arrived, but I’m very happy now.
Everything I ever wanted is here. Including the latil’e who I know is listening outside the door.
” There was a quiet shuffle of confirmation on the opposite side of said door. Cassie found herself laughing too.
“Are they all like that? All mates?”
“Overbearing and protective? Probably. Although I think otherwise, ?rim and S’samph are about as different as night and day.” She combed a few strands of Cassie’s hair away from her face. “Ok, my turn. Which color should I wear? Purple or yellow?”
“Purple,” Cassie answered without even considering.
“Good choice. Tonight seems like a night for purple.” Eleri started to change into a short purple dress with a net of shining beads over her collarbones. “Nights like this, it would be fun to have longer hair.” She shook out her chin-length blonde hair and pulled a comb through it.
“Long hair is a lot of work,” Cassie said. She’d had long hair once. She’d cut it all off in IA custody. She didn’t want to see Cassowary anymore every time she looked in the mirror.
They were both startled by a sudden knock on the door. Eleri smiled and put down her comb. “That must be your mate.”
“Not my mate yet.” Cassie blushed as she stared at the floor. They technically hadn’t had the conversation yet.
“Well, we shouldn’t keep him waiting anyway.” Eleri offered her a hand and led her out of the room, where they found S’samph staring down ?rim, who was waiting just inside the doorway. He was dressed in a smart set of black robes with silver beading.
“I like your clothes,” Cassie said.
“These?” ?rim tapped his wrist nodes with embarrassment. “They’re my old professional uniform. What you’re wearing is much nicer.”
Cassie responded by twirling slightly so the flounced skirt of her dress swished around her thighs. “It’s Eleri’s old dress.”
“Not old,” Eleri chimed in. “I’ve only worn it once before. But it looks much better on you than it ever did on me. Pink works well for you.”
“My mate is beautiful in everything she wears.” S’samph placed a protective arm around Eleri’s waist.
“We’re not talking about me, S’samph.” Eleri rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to ?rim.
“Neither of you has been to a Moons-Filled Night festival before. Try to have lots of fun!” Eleri gave Cassie a slight nudge, and she tripped forward a few paces, landing in ?rim’s arms. Cassie pressed her hands against his forearms, grasping for support.
Sorry. Cassie signed as she finally realized how long he’d been holding her and backed off a step.
“Don’t be sorry. I like holding you.”
Cassie blushed at his confession. ?rim gestured to his levibike. “Shall we go to Indras?” Cassie nodded and waved back at Eleri and S’samph. As she moved past him, ?rim placed a hand on her lower back. Cassie glanced at him, wondering if they would ever do more than gentle touches.
“Don’t forget your helmets!” Eleri called from the doorway.
Cassie made a small laugh and waved back at her.
?rim had probably never forgotten to wear a helmet in his life.
He handed Cassie hers before helping her get settled behind him on the bike.
She reached forward, the way she’d seen Eleri ride with S’samph sometimes.
Her arms around his waist instead of on the passenger handles.
If ?rim was as broad as S’samph, she didn’t think she would have managed, but Cassie pressed herself against ?rim, holding onto him instead.
“Cassie?” His voice was worried. “Are you well?”
She jerked back immediately. Maybe it was a mistake. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I was just surprised. You can hold on that way if you like.”
She summoned her courage and moved close to him again, clutching her arms around his waist. ?rim accelerated then. Cassie held on with Eleri’s words ringing in her ears. She was allowed to want things.
There was a whole collection of levibikes on the outskirts of Indras by the time they arrived.
After ?rim parked, he helped Cassie off the bike.
She reached for his hand, and ?rim tucked her fingers inside of his.
Tonight was for fun. She had to remind herself.
Tonight was for enjoying herself. It was safe.
Everyone was there. Nothing bad was going to happen if she took what she wanted.
“Ready?” she asked.
“Lead the way.”
Cassie pulled him forward, and he followed her toward the brighter lights and music of Indras. They walked under an archway made of shimmering cutouts. Bits of stellite and scrap metal formed into a halo above entering festivalgoers. Two urtazi spawn hopped excitedly as Cassie and ?rim entered.
Little Grora was handing out circlets made of metal and shining pebbles. She produced a happy rumble in her throat and handed Cassie a smaller metal hoop decorated like the awning overhead.