Page 18 of Healing His Mate

“You have a gift,” I tell him honestly. “It seems it is your true calling.”

He stiffens at first, then just as quickly, his face relaxes into a slight grin. “Thank you,” he says in a quiet voice. I have noticed he is always smiling. Even in repose, there is a curve to his lips that indicates he is happy. So, what is it that caused his flicker of anger just now? This male is not as easy to read as I thought.

We finish our meals, and I assist Waldric in tidying up his station. “I shall arrive in the morning with enough supplies for all three meals,” he tells me. “They will be things you have eaten many times, and I hope you get more than a flash of memories.”

He bows slightly just before he leaves, a gesture that is reserved for introductions with kings and queens, and even though it is utterly out of place here, I find it adorable. A flutter deep in my belly nudges me back toward his station as I picture his large form standing in this very spot mere moments ago.

Do I—

Do I miss Waldric?

No, that cannot be.

He was just here. I shall see him tomorrow. Why would I miss someone I will soon see again? What is happening to me?

CHAPTER 9

WALDRIC

As I make my way along the main path to Nalba’s the next morning, I pass Elle-noor on her way to the food hall. “Ah, hello, little human friend.”

“Ooh, did someone get lucky last night?” she asks with the curve of her brow.

She is quite invested in my pursuit of Nalba. I might as well be honest with her. “I did, in fact.” As she gets closer and stops in front of me, I lean down and whisper, “She kissed me.”

She playfully slaps me on the arm. “Well, well, well. Get it, boy!”

“How was the final meal? Did Krahn manage?”

Elle-noor makes a clicking sound on one side of her mouth. “Eh, not good. Not great. Somewhere between inedible and mediocre.”

“Oh, that is . . .” I survey the heavy bags in my arms, all full of ingredients for today’s meals. Nalba will not mind if I am a bit late. I should help Krahn. “Allow me to—”

“No fucking way am I going to let you bail on your dream girl just to help make breakfast.” Her expression is stern and reminds me of my mother when I would get crumbs all over my furs. “Go, cook up some memories for Nalba. We’ve got this.”

“Are you certain?” I ask, hoping she does not change her mind.

“Yes, in fact, one of the new humans was a pastry chef on Earth. Anna, I think. She offered to help Krahn with the bread, so that’s something.”

That is joyous news. Krahn preparing the meals on his own could easily lead to disaster. At least with someone watching him, and offering to help with part of it, he will feel less pressure. “I am pleased by this.”

Elle-noor sends me on my way with a mock kick to my behind, and I enter Nalba’s without knocking.

I find Cloh-ee at her side with one of the new human females facing both of them, a tortured look on her face. Her name has slipped my mind. “I would like a few more douku orbs, if you can spare them,” the female says. Vye-let, I believe it is.

“I do not know what that is,” Nalba replies flatly.

“They’re like balloons filled with soft light, weightless and they come in several sizes,” Cloh-ee explains. “I’m pretty sure you invented them not long after settling here. That’s what Kaiva told me. I know how to make them. I used to help you with those all the time.”

Nalba continues staring at Vye-let. “Why do you appear sad?”

Vye-let takes a step back and huffs a breath. “I’m not sad. I just . . . I don’t like the dark. My room needs more light. It will help me sleep better.”

“No problem! We’ll get those done today,” Cloh-ee promises cheerfully.

Vye-let does not thank them. She just wipes her eyes and turns on her heel. But then her eyes land on me and widen for a moment before she storms out. Strange. Do I frighten her?

“I think she’s just having trouble adjusting,” Cloh-ee whispers to Nalba. “She’ll be fine.”

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