Page 68 of The Edge of Dawn

With restlessness gnawing at her, Jade leaned on the hovering thing, allowing it to take most of her weight as she rose to her feet and limped across the chamber into a corridor-like space that led to a wardrobe of sorts, where various items of human-style clothing hung. From what she could tell, they were pretty much her size. She spied simple t-shirts and long-sleeved stretchy tops. Leggings, robes, and flowing pants. Everything seemed designed for comfort. There were even soft, fluffy slippers in a charming shade of aqua.

“Huh.”

These Kordolians catered so well to human needs. They seemed able to procure anything and everything.

Not that she was complaining. Even if they did eventually plan on training her to become some sort of psychic warrior, Jade couldn’t possibly worry about any of that right now. She was weak against these creature comforts.

She reached the shower area, a simple recess in the wall.

According to Noa, all she had to do was walk inside, and the thing would activate.

She couldn’t see any taps or spouts. No showerhead in sight. Nothing to dry herself with.

So strange. She felt like an impostor as she leaned against the wall and undid the buttons of her trousers. She slipped them over her hips and let them fall to her ankles, where she gingerly kicked them off. With her injured leg bent, her foot resting against the wall, she shooed away her hovering companion and unbuttoned her shirt.

As she moved the hand Zyara had treated, it protested with the faintest ache, but it was otherwise fine.

Amazing.

She undressed quickly—although a little awkwardly—letting the filthy shirt drop to the floor, pulling off her tank top and her bra, slipping out of her undies.

Then, with the help of her little assistant, she hobbled into the shower cubicle-thing.

Instantly, water rained from the ceiling, and it was the perfect temperature; almost too hot, but not quite.

Just the way she liked it.

Someone from her past life had once told her that cold showers were better for your health, but screw that.

This was all she needed.

Like rain, the water filled the entire cubicle, allowing her to rest against the wall. She looked down and found a little bench molded against the wall.

They really think of everything, don’t they?

For a species that was supposed to be the scariest, most ruthless beings in the Nine Galaxies, they were surprisingly considerate. Everything was catered for.

How did they know what she needed; what made her feel safe and comfortable? Were they mind-readers? Could he reach into her thoughts and pluck them out at will?

It was unnerving… how much they were in control of everything.

She leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes, letting the warm water cascade over her.

And little by little, the voices of the station filtered through to her. It was background chatter, all male voices, all speaking in Kordolian.

What secrets did this place hold?

She wished she could understand what they were saying. At least their language sounded beautiful; the tones melodic and flowing. Surprisingly so. Based on their history, she thought the Kordolian language would sound harsh.

But they were a mass of contradictions, weren’t they?

Just like him.

Inevitably, Dragek entered her thoughts. Ever since she’d woken up on that ship under his quiet scrutiny, he’d never been far from her mind.

Her heartbeat accelerated. Suddenly, the warmth of the shower was insignificant compared to the frantic heat inside her. She writhed a little, trying to regain some semblance of composure.

But she couldn’t forget his intensity back there on the ship.

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