Page 48 of Breaking Ties

“Where is his ship?”

“Attached to mine. She hasn’t left to where you can’t reach her.”

She exhaled. “If she isn’t back for dinner, I am going to go get her.”

“I will accompany you.”

She relaxed. “Thank you. I can’t believe that I just blurted that out.”

“That is why Nerigot doesn’t leave his home that often. He can bring quite a bit of mental pressure to bear. You are very new to your power. You had no resistance when someone pushed back.”

“But you knew.”

“I did, and I watched over you, as you are my concern. Your friend is nice and all, but you are my consort and my only concern.”

Aubrey slumped. “Well, fuck.”

“Interesting idea, but I believe teaching you to spar in the gym will be more beneficial.”

“Dressed like this?”

“Why not?”

She blinked. “Right. Why not?”

He carried her to the gym and distracted her until it was time to get ready for dinner.

* * * *

Whisper woke up in a room made of a different material than Vress’s ship. The medic was tutting over his screens; his crimson skin was carved with marks that went down his arms and around his neck and forehead.

Nerigot was sitting against the wall, eating an apple. “Ah, you are awake. You are nearly dead, you know.”

“I know. I didn’t want to ruin the surprise.”

He chuckled and kept munching. “You know what the oracle showed me?”

“Showed?”

“Ah, I have a skill called mirror mind. What you think, I can see. She made direct contact with me, and so I could see what she could see. At least I know you recover from this condition. When you were on your world, could you call energy?”

“I could make fire on stone. No materials to burn. I lost the ability five weeks before I was rescued.”

He smiled. “That is a first skill for an acolyte. Calling one element to survive.”

She looked at the IV in her arm. “What is this?”

The medic smiled. “Fluid that is a very close match to your own blood. You will have to work on improving your physical condition, but this injection will give you an additional month.”

“What about the food thing?”

“It is enzyme rejection. It happens on many worlds. You need injections until your body understands what is being required of it. You have already been given an injection for all species on this vessel and Overlord Vress’s vessel. They will help you extract the nutrients from the food grown on a soil foreign to you.” He smiled brightly. “Your musculature is solid, if emaciated.”

“Oh. Thank you.” She smiled. “I don’t know enough about your people to return the compliment.”

He grinned. Nerigot cleared his throat. The medic straightened his expression, but he winked.

“How often do I need the injections?”