Page 29 of Sanctuary and Spices (Tales of the Ardent Veil #1)

RONHAR

M usic flowed around us as I held Jani close. Her Devaali clothes shimmered against my formal robes, catching light from the floating crystals above.

“I still can’t believe this is real,” I murmured into her hair.

She pressed closer, her fingers tracing the glowing lines on my arm. “Better be. I’m not giving back these clothes.”

I laughed, spinning her through the next dance step. Around us, the café buzzed with life and celebration. Pix darted between guests, leading a line of giggling Syrithan children in an improvised dance. Their antennae bobbed in time with the music.

“No plasma bursts yet,” Jani noted. “Think they’ll behave?”

“Not a chance.” I nodded toward where Pix was showing the children how to make the floating lights change color. “But Malik’s keeping an eye on them.”

The archivist lounged against the bar, deep in conversation with Erynn. Her purple hair caught rainbow reflections from the crystal formations as she gestured with her teacup.

“Did you see where Soryn went?” Jani asked.

“Trading war stories with Barou by the garden wall.” I steered us through a turn, letting her catch glimpses of the gathered crowd. “Something about the time he had to fight off raiders with nothing but a soup ladle.”

“That explains the hand gestures I saw earlier.” She grinned up at me. “Think it’s true?”

“With Soryn? Never can tell.”

The music shifted to something slower. Jani melted against me, her head resting on my chest.

“Look at those readings!” A young tech’s excited voice carried from nearby. “The harmonic resonance is off the charts.”

“The whole station’s singing,” her companion agreed. “Haven’t seen patterns like this since the founding.”

I pulled Jani closer, savoring how perfectly she fit in my arms. My markings flared brighter at the contact.

“You’re glowing again,” she murmured.

“Your fault.” I pressed a kiss to her temple. “You make it hard to stay dim.”

She nestled closer. “Smooth talker.”

“Only for you.”

The song ended, but neither of us moved to break apart. Around us, the celebration continued - glasses clinking, voices raised in laughter, the constant chime of crystal formations resonating with our bond.

“Want to step outside for a minute?” I asked, noting how the noise had grown.

She nodded, letting me guide her toward the garden entrance. We passed Pix’s impromptu dance lesson:

“No, no - like this!” They demonstrated an elaborate twirl that sent their antennae spinning. “See how the lights follow?”

The children copied the movement, squealing as colors swirled overhead.

“Careful!” Malik called. “Those are delicate-”

A crash from the kitchen cut him off. Jani tensed, but Mai’s voice rang out: “Everything’s fine! Just some overexcited dishware.”

I steered us through the door before Jani could investigate. The night air wrapped around us, cooler and quieter than inside. Festival lights twinkled overhead, casting shifting patterns across the garden.

“Better?” I asked, pulling her close again.

“Mmm.” She tucked herself against my chest. “Though I should probably check on-”

“Let them handle it.” I traced patterns up her spine. “Tonight’s for us.”

She shivered at my touch. “Keep that up and we might scandalize the guests.”

“Would that be so terrible?”

Her fingers found the sensitive spot where my markings curved around my ribs. “Tempting. But I’d rather not give Pix more stories to tell.”

“Fair point.” I caught her hand before she could explore further. “Though you’re not making it easy to behave.”

She grinned wickedly. “Good.”

The bond sparked between us, amplifying every point of contact. My markings blazed brighter as she pressed closer.

“Careful,” I warned. “Or we might not make it back inside.”

“Promise?”

Before I could answer, footsteps approached. We broke apart just as Malik emerged from the shadows.

“Sorry to interrupt.” He held up his datapad. “But there’s something you should see.”

“Can it wait?” I asked, not letting go of Jani.

“I wish it could.” He showed us the screen - waves of energy readings, all out of alignment. “These are from the Ilexis Ring. The patterns are... unusual.”

“Wrong how?”

“It’s subtle, but something seems to be nudging the resonance out of alignment.” He scrolled through more data. “And it’s not just here. Reports are coming in from the outer colonies - similar disruptions, growing stronger.”

Jani studied the readings. “Could it be related to our bond? The way it affected the station’s systems?”

“No.” Malik shook his head. “This is different. Almost like something’s trying to force its way through the established frequencies.” He met my eyes. “This isn’t just a local issue. Something bigger is happening.”

The warrior in me stirred at his words, old instincts rising. But Jani’s warmth against my side grounded me.

“Not tonight,” I said firmly. “Whatever it is can wait until morning.”

Malik nodded slowly. “Of course. My apologies for disturbing you.” He started to leave, then paused. “And... congratulations. What you’ve built here, it’s remarkable.”

“Thank you.” Jani smiled. “Though I think the garden deserves most of the credit.”

As if in response, the nearest Jhrya vine unfurled a fresh bloom - gold and silver petals catching starlight.

“Speaking of building things.” I drew her attention back to me once Malik had gone. “Are you happy? With all of this?”

She turned in my arms, reaching up to trace my markings. “More than I ever thought possible.” A wicked smile bloomed on her face. “Though I could be happier...”

“Oh?”

She rose on tiptoes to whisper in my ear. “Take me home?”

The bond flared hot between us.

“What about our guests?”

“Let them celebrate.” She pressed closer, her fingers finding that sensitive spot again. “I want to start our own private party.”

I growled low in my throat. “You’re playing with fire.”

“Good thing I like the heat.”

I twined her fingers with mine. “Home. Now.”

She laughed as I pulled her toward the exit, but I felt her own desire burning through the bond. We barely made it three steps before Erynn intercepted us.

“And where do you think you’re going?”

“Fresh air,” Jani said quickly.

“Right.” Erynn’s knowing smirk said she didn’t believe that for a second. “Well, don’t let me stop you.” She winked. “Though you might want to dim those markings first. They’re a bit obvious.”

I fought to control the glow as we slipped away from the party. Jani’s silent laughter didn’t help.

“Not funny,” I growled once we were alone.

“Very funny.” She pressed against me, sending fresh sparks through my nerves. “Now, about that private celebration...”

I silenced her with a kiss that left us both breathless. The bond sang between us, drowning out all thoughts of strange readings and distant troubles.

“I love you,” I murmured into her hair.

She pressed closer. “Show me how much?”

My markings flared hot at her tone. Through the bond, I felt her answering desire.

A crash from the main room made us both jump.

“It’s fine!” Pix yelled. “The fire suppression systems worked perfectly!”

Jani laughed against my chest. “We should probably...”

“Probably.” I didn’t move.

“Someone needs to stop them from burning down our café.”

“Let them try.” I tilted her face up for a proper kiss. “Nothing can touch us tonight.”

The bond sparked between us, making my markings pulse with light. The garden responded, vines curling closer to shield us from view. In our private sanctuary, there was only us. Only now.

Until another crash rang out, followed by Soryn’s bellow: “Pix! Put that down!”

Jani sighed. “To be continued?”

“Count on it.” I pressed one more kiss to her lips before we emerged from the garden.