After Mira finished eating, Kaelor didn’t waste time lingering in the food bay. “Come,” he said calmly. She nodded and followed him back through the corridors of the ship. The strange feeling hadn’t faded. If anything, it was stronger. And so was the scent. The closer she walked beside him, the more she noticed it—warm, earthy, almost comforting in a way she couldn’t explain. Mira rubbed her hands together slightly as they walked. Why does he smell so… good today? She tried not to think about it. By the time they reached the living quarters, she hoped the feeling would fade. The door slid open and Kaelor stepped inside first. Mira followed. The room was quiet. The others were still elsewhere on the ship, leaving the large space strangely empty. Kaelor moved toward the sitting

