Part Five: Reliving a Moment
She completed her fifth tour of the garden area in the week. Upgrading the gardens and irrigation systems for the races interested in the newest tech was on the agenda for the tower. It had been a hundred years since the last upgrade, and some of the old systems needed replacing.
Khyran was with the group, keeping track of the sirens and answering questions about the equipment designs.
Habel was checking out some of the tomatoes when someone bumped into her. She wobbled, and a hand wrapped around her waist to steady her.
Khyran murmured, “Apologies.”
She nodded and fought the memory of the same hand wrapped around the same spot years earlier. At least this time, they were clothed and vertical. “Thanks for the catch.”
He didn’t move. She looked back and up at his dark eyes. “Are you planning on letting go?”
He drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “No. Not particularly.”
She put her hand over his. “We might want to discuss this?”
He smiled. “Your lack of grace? Certainly. What are you doing for dinner?”
“Don’t you have to steer your group around?”
Khyran shook his head. “Khydel is taking them to see the water-processing centre.”
“Ah. Well, I do need to eat dinner.” She smiled slightly. “So, we finish the tour and then handoff?”
“Please. It has been difficult to get you alone.” His fingers flexed against her.
Habel covered her mouth and snickered. Monathian kept them apart diligently. He got her friends in on the action, and she was rarely free when Khyran was in the tower, and when she was, he wasn’t.
She wanted to lean into him, but there were a half-dozen interested sirens staring at them. “I believe we have an audience.”
He inhaled slowly. “I don’t care.”
She gripped his fingers and pried his hand away. “I do. I have a job to do.”
“As do I, and yet, here I am.” Khyran smiled.
She pulled his middle finger back, and he hissed and let go. There was a chuckle from the eldest female of the sirens. Her mate snickered as well.
She looked at the group, accounted for them all, and inclined her head. “Pardon my clumsiness. This way to the cucumbers.”
Khyran smiled and followed her. “The cucumbers require more subsoil watering. Let me show you the basic irrigation system.”
They walked through the rest of the gardens, and the elves had proved that the dragon designs were appropriate to the task once again.
It had taken her years to gain all the details. The dragons designed and built the technology, the elves used and perfected the tech. The rest of the world was fed and clothed by the same machines like the ones developed in the tower.
The settlements, clans, and villages of different races came to the tower to choose their tech once every ten decades or so. For installation and repairs, the dragons were on duty, which is why they worked with the night trains. They could bring tech and supplies anywhere in the warrens of tunnels that they called their own. Every race created or provided something that was necessary to keep other races alive, healthy, and happy. Some races mined minerals; others had volcanic soil that made excellent bases for growing certain plants. It all interconnected, and she was part of the chain.
The garden tour went on for another forty minutes, and then, Khydel took over and led the group through the tower.
Habel watched Khyran approach, and she tilted her head. “Dining room or one of the small establishments?”
He smiled. “I think that something with some privacy would be best.”
Habel nodded. “I am pretty sure that I know a place.” She lifted her arm and said, “Camder, can you see if Riikor has a spot for us?”
“Of course, Habel.”
Khyran blinked. “Camder?”
“Computer-assisted manufacturing, design, extrusion, and repair.” She chuckled. “He selected it.”
“It is odd to hear my voice coming through your bracelet.”
“It is my voice; it merely resembles yours, Khyran.”
She grinned at the startled look in the dragon’s eyes. “So, what is the result, Camder?”
“You may proceed. Riikor is happy to have you and your guest.”
Habel laughed at the expression in Khyran’s eyes. “You seem perturbed.”
“The AI was so much nicer in your first few years.”
She turned and spoke as she led the way. “When you were trying to influence him into dressing me in sexy outfits?”
He took a few steps and offered her his hand. She slid her fingers along his, and he closed his grip around her hand carefully.
“We are going to level four, southwest corner.”
He nodded. “Thank you.”
They walked through the public areas, and far fewer people stopped to stare than they did on her first day with Niika.
Khyran chuckled. “I thought that more people would be staring.”
She smiled. “I have desensitized them. It took decades, but I managed it.”
“Are you still the only novice?”
She nodded. “I am.”
He sighed. “So, they wouldn’t let you take a trip then.”
Habel shrugged. “It depends on where I was going. I really want to see my family before my mother passes. I have been keeping track, and she should be close to passing into her next life.”
“That is one of the things I wished to discuss. I will be making a journey to the troll settlement shortly and was wondering if you could get clearance to accompany me.”
She glanced at him, but he was looking forward. They entered the lift and headed up to the fourth level. There were far fewer folks milling around here. They walked to the southwest edge of the building, and Riikor’s subtle signage was above the door.
When they entered, the host bowed and smiled. “Please, Novice Habel, come this way.”
Khyran looked around. “What is this place?”
“Riikor describes it as a private feast. It is not for the faint of heart.”
“Huh. I guess it has been a while since I was here.” He grinned. “The couches have no backs.”
Habel smiled as they were escorted to a private area surrounded by decorative panels. The two low couches were at right angles, and there was a low table accessible to both. She waved at him. “Pick your spot.”
Khyran settled on his left side, and she felt her cheeks heat. One night years earlier and just the look of him settling in sent memories through her. She exhaled and settled on her couch. Her face was less than a foot from his, so she straightened up a little.
The server brought out bowls and towels, waiting while they washed their hands and then whisking the items away. The food and drink arrived a few moments later, and Habel offered the first selection to her guest. “Go ahead.”
He blinked. “Just pick anything?”
“Sure. Start with dessert first if you like.”
He picked up one of the cream tarts with fresh berries on it and smiled as he handed it to her.
Habel blinked. “Thank you.”
He smiled. “I think they are one of your favourites.”
She chuckled. “They are. Have you been spying on me near buffet tables?”