Four days of negotiations had taken their toll on her, and she was exhausted and suffering but not because of her own withdrawal from the planet. Acuar was drawing on her energy, pulling strength and balance from her body every time they touched. It wasn’t malicious; he simply was far more attached to Yalki than she was. They were both relieved when they completed their negotiations and arrangements had been ratified with all parties. The Yalki system was going to be receiving a wave of new tech and had enough funds to sponsor defensive-weapons systems. It had been a productive few days, but it was a good thing that they were heading home. The moment they sat in the shuttle and their pilot took off, Acuar slumped against her. “Easy, Ace. We will be home soon.” She held his hand and tried to give him more. He fought her, but his body overrode his impulses, and she was a little weaker when she finished giving.
