Page 59 of Cozy Prisons
He hesitated, but knew he needed to speak up or risk Palathum’s health. “Your smell has changed.”
They both stared at each other in silence. There were very few reasons a Talin’s scent might change, and usually it was due to illness. He’d noticed the change several rotations ago, but kept convincing himself that he was imagining it. This morning the scent was so pronounced that he couldn’t ignore it any longer.
Palathum finally spoke. “Are you sure?”
He sounded a rumble of agreement. “Yes. It’s unmistakable.”
She tried to argue it away. “No one else has said anything.”
“Who could get close enough to you to notice? You spend all your time in here. You haven’t even been joining everyone for the communal meals in the evening.”
She drew in a deep breath and started up a soothing rumble. “It’s probably nothing. Sometimes scents change and it doesn’t mean anything.”
He sounded a harsh, negative rattle. “You and I both know that’s unlikely.”
This time, when she pulled at her arms, he let go. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his face close to hers.
“I'll go see Healer Falkilm tomorrow. There’s no reason to worry until he declares that there’s something wrong.”
Tomorrow felt like too long to wait. “I want you to see him right now.”
He expected an argument, but Palathum was always surprising him. With her hold on his head, she held him still and rubbed her scent glands on his. The smell of their combined scent helped calm his fears and center him.
“Let’s join everyone downstairs,” she suggested. “After dinner, we can go to Falkilm.”
“Will you let me feed you?”
She sounded a rumble of agreement. “I’ll expect it.”
Palathum
“Are there more Talins coming with the next supply ship?” Massium asked.
“Two more,” Palathum told her. “Lorisum of the Sol Family within the Verg clan and Dulcor of the Yig family within the Havir clan.”
Massium made an unhappy sound. “Verg clan? They aren’t trustworthy.”
“We don’t judge someone on family or clan,” Utharium said. “Only on themselves. I expect you to be civil to Lorisum.”
“Fine,” Massium said. “I’ll be civil and let this Lorisum prove themself.”
“That’s all we ask,” Palathum said, then opened her mouth to let Utharium feed her.
“I wish there were more than two coming, but I understand the caution,” Jolfium said, pushing a platter of flatbread closer to Utharium. “Letting the wrong Talin in could cause our downfall.”
Palathum didn’t answer; she didn’t need to. They were all well aware of the danger. If their little paradise were found out, it would be death for most of them and true bondage for the humans. No one wanted that!
“Why are you in such a rush to get more Talins here?” Sima asked. “Aren’t we enough for you?”
Riff lifted a mug. “Yeah! We’re plenty! Who was it that figured out how to chain the domicile's power together so it was a more balanced system? A human!”
“Thank you,” Sima said. “It was more complicated than I expected.”
Riff gave Sima a solemn nod. “And you did a great job.” She looked over at Decard. “And who did all the base layers for the domiciles?”
“A human!” Decard said, holding up his own mug with a grin. “Those base layers weren’t easy, and I deserve a beer!”
There was some laughter and grumbling from the humans. Although they repeatedly asked, Palathum refused to allow alcohol in the colony. Talins didn’t drink much, and alcohol was toxic to humans, even if they did enjoy its effects. Thankfully, they weren’t resentful yet, but she worried they might become more upset once the colony was further along.
