Page 19

A fter Frank left, I changed into the black leggings and black tunic top again. I’d be changing out of them as soon as I got into the spa dressing room anyway. I left all of my jewelry in my quarters. The fewer things I had to lock up in the little locker, the better. Especially that nebulite pendant.

At breakfast, I’d advised Fathia to do the same.

As she approached, I saw she’d taken my counsel and wasn’t wearing any of her jewelry. No doubt the safe in their suite was far more secure than the lockers here. Not disparaging the spa, just stating a fact.

“Hi, Fathia.” I wished I could ask her if she was lying about being a paryina or if she was merely going along with a ruse that the Star hadn’t been stolen. I desperately wanted to know the truth.

“Hello, Ellis.” She glanced toward the big, frosted double doors that led into the Celestial Spa.

“Ready?”

She nodded. “A little nervous.”

“Why? There’s nothing to be nervous about.” Unless being mostly unclothed with others of the same sex was not a common practice on Loessa. “Do you not have spas on Loessa?”

“We have hot springs, but they are communal.”

“Well, this is sort of like that, but men and women have separate spaces so they can relax and be themselves. And there’s a lot more than just hot water. It’s really nice.”

“I will follow your lead.”

“Come on, then. Nothing to it.”

We went in, got registered, and were given lockers, which were assigned to our wristbands so that no key was needed. We were also each issued recyclable swimwear, a terrycloth robe, and rubber shower sandals.

Once in the changing area, we found our lockers and stepped into cubicles to change. The recyclable swimwear was dark blue and consisted of shorts and a leotard-style bathing suit, both of very stretchy material that had incredible hold. I put the outfit on with the robe over it, folded the things I’d had on, stuck my bare feet into the shower sandals, and went to my locker, where I tucked them away.

Fathia had not emerged yet, so I got us towels. She came out as I returned, dressed the same as I was. “Your locker is right next to mine, 402. And I got you a towel.”

“Thank you.” She put her things in her locker, glancing around all the while.

“Don’t be nervous,” I said softly. “It’s just women, and no one is here to judge. They’re just here to relax.”

She nodded. “I will try to remember that.”

“If you have communal baths, how is this making you nervous?”

She laughed. “I don’t know. Perhaps because I am the premier’s wife, I feel all eyes are upon me. Judging me.”

“I can understand that. But even so, after a glance or two, no one is going to care. Everyone is here doing their own thing, concentrating on themselves.”

Her dubious expression was answer enough, but I persevered. “Without making an appointment for any kind of service like a massage or a facial or a body wrap, we still have access to all the common areas. Those include separate rooms for cold, salt, steam, eucalyptus, ions, and the sauna. There’s also the main pool as well as hot spas and cold plunge pools. Where would you like to start?”

She shook her head. “So many choices. What would you do? If you were here with friends?”

“We’d probably start with the steam room, then the eucalyptus, and finish with a nice soak in one of the hot spas while enjoying a cold beverage like a fruit-flavored mineral water or a sparkling lemonade.”

Fathia nodded. “Then let’s do that.”

“Steam it is.”

We went out through the dressing rooms and into the main pool area. Like always, it was a calm, serene space with tropical images of sandy white beaches and blue water playing on the screen walls. Overhead, the occasional white cloud or sea bird sailed across a perfect, cerulean sky.

Distant ocean sounds were accompanied by the gentle waterfall that curtained a grotto at one end of the pool. Lounge chairs were set up around the perimeter. For a small fee, you could have a sun lamp brought over.

Confession time: My first six weeks on board, I’d spent serious amounts of time under one of those sun lamps. It wasn’t because I was trying to get a tan, although that had been a side-effect. I’d just missed sunlight. Being on a simdeck was nice and it did sort of help with that craving, but the sun lamps had given me the UV boost I’d needed.

I was better adjusted now, but no one had told me how much I would want to feel the sun on my skin, the soft breeze of a beautiful day, the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. Like I said, the simdeck came close, but I’d quickly come to realize that getting planetside when I could, even if it wasn’t the “outdoors” I was used to, made a big difference.

We found two centrally located loungers and set our towels on them. I took off my robe and laid it over the back of the chair, then pointed toward the steam room. “That’s where we’re headed.”

Fathia noticed that I left my sandals on, so she did the same. I was hoping the steam room would be unoccupied so we could talk, but judging from the slight crowd already here, I doubted that would be the case.

We went into the steam room, a large white tiled room with teak wood benches. I couldn’t tell if there was anyone else in there or not. It was excessively steamy, an indicator that the steam had just dispensed.

“It’ll clear in a few minutes,” I told Fathia.

We found our way to one section of the tiered benches. I climbed to the middle and sat. The steam had already begun to thin, enough that I could see there was one other woman in the room, catty-corner from us.

Fathia took the space beside me. “Now we just sit?”

“Now we just sit and let the steam open our pores so all the toxins can come out. Or something like that. Either way, it’s relaxing.”

“It is,” she agreed.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment, all while pondering my next move. I couldn’t very well get Fathia to open up to me with someone else in the vicinity. I had no option but to bide my time until we were alone.

If that even happened. The spa was busy today, and at any moment, that door might open up and more women would pile in.

I sighed. Sure, even if I didn’t learn anything new, it was still a nice break. But I didn’t need a nice break, unless it was in the case. I could relax when the Star and Navun’s killer were found.

The wooden benches creaked softly. I opened my eyes. The woman across from us was getting up. I sent a wish into the universe that no one else would come in after her.

As soon as she was gone, I spoke up. “What do you think, Fathia? Are you enjoying it?”

“I am. It’s very warm but very relaxing. I feel like my bones are softening.”

I let out a gentle laugh. “That’s a great description.” I had to start digging. No telling how long we’d be alone. “How many years have you and the premier been married?”

“Nearly thirty-five.” She sighed. “Sometimes I cannot imagine how it’s been that long. And sometimes, I cannot imagine another thirty-five. Are you and Frank … betrothed?”

“No, we’re just very good friends who enjoy each other’s company. But I was married. So was Frank. It’s not my place to share his story, but…” If I wanted her to open up to me, I’d have to open up to her. I stared into the steam, memories swirling. “My husband died unexpectedly when he was only fifty-two.”

“I am deeply sorry,” Fathia said.

“Thank you. He was a good man. We weren’t soulmates, exactly, but he was a good husband, great father, and a dear friend.”

She looked at me. “Not soulmates? Was your marriage arranged?”

“No.” I smiled. “We did love each other. Were we in love with one another? No. Ned would have told you the same thing. But we had the same goals, shared a lot of the same interests. It worked for us. Were you and Yut an arranged marriage? Sorry if that’s not something I should be asking.”

She waved my concerns off. “You may ask. It’s common knowledge in my homeland. Most political officials have arranged marriages. Yut wished to gain a foothold in my province, which is the largest in our country. My father was the inspector general, he had an eligible daughter, and…” She shrugged, hands coming up as if to say what happened next was inevitable.

“Then you probably understand when I say Ned and I were not soulmates.”

“I do.” She picked at the hem of her shorts. “I don’t know that Yut and I even like each other some days. He is a very driven man. And used to getting what he wants. Whatever that might be.”

“It must feel sometimes like you’re less than his partner and more like an accessory to his life.”

She heaved out a breath that caused little eddies in the steam. “That is exactly how I feel. Not sometimes. All the time.”

She glanced at me with a sad smile. “I was a beautiful woman once. Talented in the arts. There was talk that I might be the next great actress of our time. Then Yut took notice of me, decided I was a valuable stepping stone in his career, and that was that.”

“You’re still beautiful.” I wasn’t lying. She was a stunning woman. “And certainly, there are ways to carve a path for yourself now. You have influence as the premier’s wife.”

She nodded, but there was no joy in the movement, and her eyes held an unmistakable sadness. “I keep busy. I patronize artists and scientists and inventors who interest me, but it’s not enough to keep me from wondering… what if.”

“But you’re making a name for yourself after all. I saw you speaking with Dr. Saetang. You said he’s one of the scientists under your patronage.”

“He is. He’s a brilliant man. I believe he might someday revolutionize how we use nebulite for fuel.”

“And you’d be responsible for making that possible.”

A slight smile curved her mouth. “I suppose.”

“He’s a handsome man, too.”

She slanted her eyes at me. “Are you interested? I could put in a word for you?—”

“No, no. I just meant … he must be easy for you to spend time with.”

“He is. But I would never break the vows of my marriage.” Her mouth twisted. “Despite what my husband thinks is acceptable, I do not.”

I couldn’t retreat now. I had to push boldly ahead and see what else I could find out. “Are you saying he’s … that he and Ayronina are…”

Fathia snorted, a completely mirthless sound. “I would not be shocked. If they aren’t, it’s not because he hasn’t tried. I’m sure he gave her that nebulite bracelet, just like he’s given countless other pieces to women he hoped would be softened by such gifts.”

I touched my throat, although the nebulite pendant no longer hung there. “He didn’t give me that necklace because…”

“He might have.” She leaned back on the bench behind us, elbows on the wood. “You are an off-worlder, a flavor he’s yet to try, as far as I know. Watch yourself around him. His hands move quicker than you think.”

“I would never— Not just because you and I are friends but because that goes against my own moral code. Not to mention, I’m with Frank.”

She gave me a curious look. “We are friends?”

Maybe I’d overstepped. Wouldn’t be the first time. “Sorry, I just thought?—”

She smiled. “You thought right. I like being friends.” She closed her eyes. “If Yut tries anything, you have my permission to injure him.”