Page 15 of Alien Warrior Chef… With Benefits
She’s not wrong.
That night, I don’t sleep again. I just lie on my back in the center of the mat, arms splayed, breath shallow. The dojo lights are dimmed to ambient glow, casting long shadows across the ceiling like claws.
The next morning, I try to meditate before class. It goes poorly.
Vonn finds me instead.
The front door slams open like an explosion. I don’t need to see her to know it’s her. The unmistakable thump of orthopedic boots stomping through the entry, the clatter of a cane against the floor, the huff of ancient indignation. Her scent hits a second later—peppery fur oil, something floral and vaguely medicinal.
“YOU GREAT BROODING IDIOT!”
I don’t even turn around.
The thwack of her cane against the floor makes a sound like thunder.
“You think you can just vanish?” she snarls, voice sharp as honed glass. “Leave that girl wondering if she dreamt the whole damn thing? You think cowardice is the hallmark of a warrior?”
She’s speaking Fratvoyan, fast and furious. I catch most of it. The tone says the rest.
I hear the crunch of something arcing through the air. Reflex takes over. I snatch it out of instinct before it hits my head. Still warm. Fluffy. Bits of melted chocolate smear my palm.
A muffin.
Of course.
Vonn glares at me from beneath her heavy fur cowl, eyes like embers. “She made it,” she snaps. “Said it was for you. Then threw it away. I rescued it. Because I havesense.”
“I can’t.”
The words are gravel in my throat. She cocks her head.
“Youcan’tor youwon’t?”
“Ishouldn’t,” I bite out. “She needs peace. Not whatever this is.” I gesture at myself. “I’m not safe.”
Vonn snorts like I’ve insulted her lineage. “You think she doesn’t know who you are? What you are? She’s known you tenyears, Vakutan. If she wanted safety, she’d have picked a nice dork from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics.”
“She’sengaged.”
“Shewas,” Vonn spits. “Technically still is, but I know that look. Girl’s been checked out of that deal since the first time you scowled at her with affection.”
I look away. The muffin’s still in my hand. I should throw it out. Crush it. Do something useful with my guilt.
Instead, I cradle it like something fragile.
Vonn lets the silence stretch. Her cane ticks against the floor. Then she mutters, “Dumb lizard,” and slams the door on her way out.
That afternoon, I’m supposed to lead advanced hand-to-hand forms. I barely speak. I demonstrate, mechanically, but my mind is a thousand meters west, watching through the dojo window as Ruby moves inside Earth Bites.
She’s slower.
Her motions lack their usual rhythm. She forgets her oven mitt once and yelps when she grabs a tray. She laughs with Lyrie but doesn’t tilt her head back. She smiles at customers but doesn’t linger.
And when she thinks no one’s looking, she sighs like her soul’s been wrung out and left on the counter.
I did that.
Shewashealing. Living. Smiling.
