Eve shifted for the hundredth time before taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, possibly also for the hundredth time.

She hadn’t been this nervous since they’d left Everton, since they’d landed on Dumera.

Khiva squeezed her hip and she felt herself calm, if only slightly. It was him that had the right to be nervous, but he was as calm as she’d ever seen him. He would have to tell a stranger about his experience at Madame Allegria’s after all.

“I just…” she said softly, keeping her eyes on the small vessel that had just landed in the port, waiting for Phee’vee’ka to disembark. “I just want the meeting to go well. I just want to help them in whatever way I can.”

Khiva gave her another squeeze. “Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.”

He’d read that somewhere, perhaps even during his time on Everton, and Eve found it fitting. It was an Old Earth expression. And while she did have high hopes for the meeting, the logical part of her knew that it would take much more if they wanted to bring Madame Allegria to justice.

Still, she could hope.

Eventually, after what seemed like centuries, she saw a figure disembark from the vessel, dressed in maroon-colored robes that brushed the floor, a uniform for Ambassadors of the United World.

He was followed by two armed guards, walking closely behind him, and when the robed figure spotted the two of them standing in the dock, he paused for a moment, before approaching.

When he was within arm’s length, Phee’vee’ka’s eyes went immediately to Khiva and he looked at him from head-to-toe. “Khiva of Kutruu of Kriv’s line?”

Khiva blinked. “You know my lineage?”

Phee’vee’ka was shorter than Evelyn expected, nearing her own height. He was thick around the middle, with forest green skin, and a wide mouth. His three eyes blinked as he spoke with her male, his English flawless, with only a slight hint of an accent.

“Yes,” Phee’vee’ka answered. “Firestones were famous. One of the most sought after exports. The United Worlds had a strong interest in your family and the way they shaped your planet’s economy.”

Then Phee’vee’ka’s three eyes settled on her. “Evelyn Tesler?” he asked, waiting for her confirmation.

“Yes,” she said quietly, automatically holding out her hand, a human gesture she couldn’t quite shake when meeting new beings.

But Phee’vee’ka, unlike Kavik, returned the gesture with ease, shaking her hand firmly. “I was a great admirer of your father,” the Gharatan said. “He helped me once during a trading war the United Worlds had to finalize. I was sad to learn of his passing.”

“Well, I’m glad I was able to contact you when I found your name among his things,” Eve said, nodding. “We appreciate you coming all the way to Dumera, considering how busy you are.”

Phee’vee’ka nodded and Eve’s gaze went behind him to the armed guards. She wondered if he had to bring them on every trip away from the United Worlds headquarters.

“Our dwelling is on the outskirts of the center,” Eve said, smiling. “I’ve prepared a meal and tea for you, if you would like to—”

Phee’vee’ka cut her off and replied with, “I cannot stay long, Miss Tesler. Somewhere nearby will suffice.”

“Right,” Eve said, disappointment threading through her, thinking about how long she’d been cooking for the past couple days.

Khiva squeezed her hip, reading her thoughts, before saying, “There is an ale house just around the corner. Shall we go there?”

Phee’vee’ka nodded. “Yes, I could do with refreshment.”

Khiva inclined his head and motioned for Phee’vee’ka to follow as he guided them there. It didn’t take long to reach. Eve had been to the ale house once before, shortly after she and Khiva arrived on Dumera. The drinks were strong, meant for the miners after a long day.

It was mostly empty at that time of day and the few occupants that were inside turned to look at them curiously, but eventually paid them no mind. Even the armed guards behind the United Worlds Ambassador didn’t catch their interest for long.

Eve sat at a table towards the back of the ale house, the bitter stench of alcohol in the air. Khiva went to the bar to order drinks and Phee’vee’ka slid into the chair across from her, his armed guards taking post at the door.

“Do they follow you everywhere?” she asked, nodding to the guards, looking for something to talk about to ease her nerves before they spoke about Madame Allegria.

Phee’vee’ka turned to look at them and then said, “Yes. When I am away from headquarters. All Ambassadors have them.”

Eve swallowed, seeing the male behind the bar begin to fill their goblets, before raising his brow at something Khiva said to him.

“How do you find Dumera, Miss Tesler?” Phee’vee’ka asked, eyeing her curiously. “It is very unlike Everton, or any of the New Earth colonies.”

“We are happy here,” she replied. “The first month took some adjusting and sometimes I still can’t get over the humidity, but overall, I like it. Life is slower here.”

Phee’vee’ka nodded in agreement. “Yes, I find smaller colonies have a different way of life, different priorities. Again, not at all like the New Earth colonies.”

“Have you been to them all?”

“Yes,” he said.

“And what did you think of them?” Eve questioned. “If you don’t mind my asking.”

Phee’vee’ka studied her closely before saying, “Humans have a special ability for creation, but with it comes consequences. Greed, overpowering ambition. Truthfully, I dread having to go to the Earth colonies, though in saying so, I hope I have not offended you.”

Eve smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “My father loved Everton. I did too, but as I grew older, I outgrew Everton. So, no, it does not offend me.” Then she said, “I do miss the rains though. Every Sunday, it rained.”

Khiva returned then, carrying three clear goblets in his massive hands. He sent the potent ale down in front of Phee’vee’ka before setting down a green liquid in front of Eve. She knew it was the tea she liked.

“I have not met a human that does not drink ale,” Phee’vee’ka commented, tilting his head at her curiously.

Khiva slid into the chair next to her with his own goblet.

“Oh,” Eve said, smiling. “Well, I’m pregnant actually, so I can’t drink it. But even if I wasn’t, I don’t have the taste for it.”

Eve didn’t know how to read Gharatan expressions, but Phee’vee’ka’s only changed slightly at her words.

His eyes shifted to Khiva before going back to her. “My congratulations then.”

She inclined her head, smiling, before taking a sip of the tea to soothe her dry throat.

Phee’vee’ka took a healthy chug of his ale before setting it down with a long sigh.

“Like I said, I do not have long,” Phee’vee’ka said and at his words, Eve tensed. “Perhaps we should begin our discussion.”

“Did you receive our statement and the video recording?” Khiva asked, eyeing the Ambassador.

Phee’vee’ka nodded, but his expression remained still. “Yes.”

Eve waited for him to say something more.

But instead, the Ambassador leaned back in his chair, a trilling sound emerging from his throat that Eve thought might be a sigh.

“Miss Tesler, Khiva of Kriv…I know what you hope in my coming here,” Phee’vee’ka started. “But please know that I am here as a courtesy only, since I knew your father and I owed him a favor. I do not wish to mislead you.”

Eve’s heart sunk in her chest and she set her tea back down on the table, glancing over at Khiva, who didn’t look surprised at the Gharatan’s words.

“If you give us time to explain the situation…” Eve started but Phee’vee’ka shook his head.

“I understand the situation,” he said. “I read your thorough statement, many times over, and reviewed the recording, but I am sure even you know that it is not enough evidence to start a lengthy and not to mention public investigation into Madame Allegria.”

“But—”

“She admits to nothing on the recording,” Phee’vee’ka said, glancing to Khiva, his expression grim. “The best I can do is send the recording to Everton’s Patrol and they might fine her for entering your residence uninvited. Even then, I think we both know that they will not.”

Eve’s shoulders sagged.

There was a brief pause before Khiva said softly, “Everything in the statement was true, Ambassador Phee’vee’ka. We made a promise to the remaining Keriv’i that we would expose her and we intend to.”

Phee’vee’ka took in a long breath, his throat rattling. “I do not think you are a liar, Khiva of Kriv. I believe your statement.”

“Then why won’t you do anything about it?” Eve asked, furrowing her brow, a spark of anger and frustration replacing her nerves.

“The United Worlds has regulations and laws in place for a reason, Miss Tesler,” Phee’vee’ka answered, his voice calm. “In order to begin an investigation, the United Worlds needs definitive evidence that an investigation is warranted. You have not given me that. It is your word against hers in the eyes of the United Worlds. And I do not think I need to tell you that Madame Allegria is one of the wealthiest and most powerful humans in the New Earth colonies. Her influence stretches far and there are those within the United Worlds that would rather not have her investigated.”

“Does that include you?” Eve asked, before she could bite her tongue.

“Leeldra,” Khiva said softly.

Eve blew out a breath, knowing she was just taking her frustration out on Phee’vee’ka.

Quietly, she said, “I’m sorry. It’s just…I think about what she’s doing all the time. I remember the horror when I realized it, when I saw my male’s back stripped of flesh. I remember the fury I felt when she had the nerve to approach me, when she acted like Khiva was a possession. I remember that there are still Keriv’i in her clutches, Keriv’i that she will not let go willingly.”

“I understand, Miss Tesler,” Phee’vee’ka said. “And I want to see her punished for it. But in order for me to take action…I need the proof, to take to my own superiors. If I present only what you have given me, there will be no investigation and it will be very difficult for me to introduce the possibility of an investigation again.”

It wasn’t the answer Eve or Khiva wanted. But it was the answer they’d expected, honestly.

It just hurt to hear it.

“In your statement, you make reference to a human female working inside the brothel,” Phee’vee’ka said after a brief pause.

“Pax,” Khiva said. “Her name is Valerie. She is Madame Allegria’s niece.”

Phee’vee’ka blinked and nodded. “And she supports this statement? She knows of the abuse?”

“Yes,” Eve said. “Shortly after she came to work for her aunt, she realized what was happening and gathered documentation to take to the Earth Council.”

“And what came of this?” Phee’vee’ka asked, taking another swallow of ale.

“She was denied, though she had proof, because the council member’s wife visited the brothel and he wanted the documentation buried,” Eve explained.

“Valerie was punished once Madame Allegria found out,” Khiva said, his fists clenching on the table. “I found her myself, whipped. Dravka and I bandaged her, but her back is scarred permanently from it.”

Phee’vee’ka went quiet, thinking over their words. Finally, he asked, “And she is unwilling to help you acquire evidence?”

“She is…frightened,” Eve said, remembering how scared Valerie was that Madame Allegria would find out.

“It is a shame,” Phee’vee’ka said. “It is unlikely you will find evidence without her aid, yes?”

Eve looked at Khiva, saw his expression was somber. “We would need her help.”

“You can only help those that wish to be helped, Miss Tesler,” Phee’vee’ka said. “With that being said, I regret that I cannot help you at this time. Truly. I hope you believe that.”

Eve looked down at her tea and then back to the Ambassador. “Yes, I know.”

“Video evidence of the abuse would be enough to bring to my superiors,” he continued. “Try to convince the human female again to help. Only then will I be of use to you.”

Phee’vee’ka stood then from his chair, draining the last of his ale in one solid chug. Woodenly, Eve stood as did Khiva.

“I do have to go,” Phee’vee’ka said. “I am expected on Kooprif later this afternoon.”

“Thank you for meeting with us,” Eve said, because she knew it was the polite thing to do, though she felt…defeated. The words felt hollow.

Phee’vee’ka nodded at both of them. “The moment you have solid evidence that I can present, please send it me. I will be in your service.”

Khiva crossed his wrist over his chest, a gesture of respect, and then Phee’vee’ka nodded and then turned. Eve listened to his footsteps exit the ale house and then his two armed guards closely followed.

Eve sighed, sinking back into her chair because her legs felt weak.

“You were right,” she said when Khiva took her hand in his, returning to his seat as well. She looked at the empty space across from them, at the empty ale goblet.

Khiva cupped her cheek, turning her face so she looked at him. “This is not the end, leeldra. Just a minor hurdle.”

“Minor?” Eve questioned. “Valerie refused to gather evidence to help this investigation go forward. And now, without it, we can’t do anything. Madame Allegria has her under her control and she’s too frightened to go against her again.”

“She may change her mind,” Khiva said. “She’s risked herself many times for us, Evelyn. And one day, she might decide to take another chance, if only to help Dravka.”

Dravka…one of the Krave at Madame Allegria’s.

“Do you love me?” Khiva asked suddenly.

Eve blinked. “Of course I do,” she said, furrowing her brow.

“Valerie feels the same for Dravka,” Khiva said. “She loves him. Deeply. And I am convinced that one day, she will realize she is hurting him. One day, Madame Allegria might hurt him, as she did to me, and it will shake her to the bone. She will wake up. And she will fight for him.”

“So we have to wait,” Eve said, sadly.

“Pax,” Khiva said. “We cannot return to Everton and so we must put our trust in Valerie, in them all. It will be up to her.”

Eve sighed, her heart throbbing in her chest.

“It is not over, Evelyn,” he said. “Just delayed. Remember that.”

She inhaled a deep breath and squeezed his hand, his words making her feel slightly better.

“Phee’vee’ka did seem to want to help,” she finally said.

“I agree,” Khiva said. “And I believe he will when the time comes.”

Eve leaned her head into the crook of his neck, inhaling his scent, comforted by it.

They went quiet for a long time. Khiva took swallows of his ale until the goblet was empty. The ale house was humid and even the furniture smelled bitter, but it was the most calm she’d felt all day.

“Shall we head home?” Khiva asked softly, once he finished.

Home.

Eve smiled softly, lifting her head. “Yeah, let’s go home.”

He helped her stand and then placed a hand on her lower back as they left the ale house. On the way out, he murmured teasingly in her ear, “At least now we have enough food to last the rest of the year.”

Eve slapped him on the arm, shaking her head.

“I cooked for two days,” she said.

Khiva’s laugh warmed her belly.

“And I love you for it, leeldra.”