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It was as if cut-throat zeal had awoken in her since they’d been apart, almost like a secret that had lain dormant when they’d been lovers so long ago on Eden II.

She unloaded the cargo lift, moving with expedient effort. He couldn’t see her features under the mask, only the faint gleam of her pale violet eye.

‘Need help?’ he drawled.

‘Nada.’ That’s all she gave him, back to her flat and unrelenting stance.

He noted her slipping into more Edenite phrases, which he grasped onto. Maybe she kept lapsing into it in remembrance of her first lover. Or so he hoped.

He discovered a corner of the hollow tree and settled on a clump of damp moss. He assumed that the moss was wet due to the presence of a nearby groundwater source, evidenced by the burbling sound of water flowing over rocks, which seemed to be coming from behind him.

The crude shelter had vines trailing above, turning into an enclosed space.

An empty hearth dominated its centre, and he guessed this was a popular overnight stop for her and perhaps local Devansi tribes.

He took the time to study her as she fixed a fire using energy sticks.

She retrieved her food stores and, with deft hands, filled a small pan with various ingredients. He recognized packs of reconstituted protein, tofu, beans, and the requisite noodle pack.

She stirred them together, adding water, spices, and condiments. The fragrant stew was heating over the open flames in minutes.

The blaze burned down enough that it wasn’t in danger of scorching. After tipping more water into the pot, she turned her attention to making the place homely, a habit he remembered from their early days.

Élisa had always been so particular about cleanliness.

The memory gave him such a pang that he sighed.

She shot him a sharp look but glanced away when their eyes met, and a frisson of electricity arced between them.

Her face showed a fleeting confusion.

Still, feel it now, do you, Élisa?

Even though she pulled away somehow, the moment of connection offered Riv some level of joy.

Élisa continued to clear away the fallen debris of leaves and branches on the floor. A few furry inhabitants of the hollow scampered out of her way.

To his incredulity, she also rolled out two sleeping pallets and laid them next to each other.Did she intend for them to sleep that close together?

If she did, he had no problem with the concept whatsoever.

She stopped and stretched her back at one point, and he glimpsed her exhaustion. His eyes raked over her muscles, trembling with strain.

A wave of compassion hit him. ‘Allow me to help, woman.’

She ignored him, turning away from him.

He let her be, resigning himself to soaking her in.

After a few moments, the meal was ready.

She found two bowls from her pack and served them both.

Stalking over to him, she handed him his share of the steaming fare, which he suddenly craved.

He lifted his chained hands.

She threw him a look, placing the dish on the rock beside where he sat.