Ren waved a disinterested hand. “I believe that is no longer an issue. You can complete the additional task without me,” he said, speaking to Havik.
“Yes.”
“Good. I have no wish to hear…The walls are not as soundproof as I would have liked,” Ren said. “I will leave for the Judgment now.”
Havik did not understand why Ren was so eager to leave for the new clan but he appreciated the privacy his absence would bring. “Agreed.”
While Ren prepared to leave, Havik settled Stabs in his sand enclosure with the egg. The kumakre was nearly an adult and had good instincts to protect its young. Remaining on the ship, or the larger Judgment, would deprive Stabs of the opportunity to mature, find a mate, and protect eggs of his own. The wildlife rescue would be an ideal location to reintroduce Stabs to his native habitat. Despite recognizing this as the responsible and correct action, he felt reluctant.
He coordinated with Seeran before the male and Ren left. The Judgment had room enough to house the smaller ship, which allowed Ren to bring only a small pack of necessities.
Before long, Ren stood outside the airlock, waiting for it to cycle. He shifted the pack on his shoulder and grinned at Havik. “Do not worry. Despite all my considerable charm, she likes you best. She is your mate.”
He hoped so.
Doubt gnawed at him. He had a mate once and failed Vanessa in so many ways. How dare he assume to take another mate? He was a selfish male. When temptation threatened his control, he indulged himself.
He scrubbed a hand over his face. He had so much to discuss with Thalia. He could not blame her if she regretted their mating. Still, knowing he should feel shame, he could not find it within himself.
Thalia went out of her way to irritate him. She said the most outrageous things for no reason other than to make him smile. All he knew was that the universe seemed a less interesting place without Thalia.
He let her sleep as her body required rest. The previous day had not only been stressful but exposed her to various toxins.
With a course for Rolusdreus, he studied navigation charts to determine the best route to Earth or to meet with the Judgment. When he heard water rush under the floor panels—Ren was correct about the need for soundproofing—he prepared Thalia’s preferred morning meal.
She wandered in, dressed in a sleeveless black tunic long enough to reach her knees. Belted at the waist, it flattered her lean figure. The wide neck exposed the bite mark, which pleased him immensely.
As if on autopilot, she headed for the table. Havik set down a fresh pot of coffee, along with toast, butter, and the fruit preserve she enjoyed.
“My glasses! Awesome. Did you find them on the smuggler’s ship? Thank you so much.” She slipped the black frames on, appearing more like herself.
“I made them in the matter reconstructor,” he explained. The task took no time at all.
“Oh.” She blinked, squinted, slipped the spectacles down, squinted some more, and pushed them back up. “How did you get the right prescription? These are perfect.”
“The originals were fragile and precious. Ren took measurements in the event that the spectacles would need to be replaced.” He adjusted the container of milk and the placement of the mugs. The table setting was trivial, yet he could not stop himself from touching each item.
“Clever. Speaking of, where’s Ren?” Thalia tucked her legs under herself in the chair and reached for a slice of toast.
“He has joined Warlord Paax’s clan.”
“Oh.” She spread a generous layer of fruit preserves on the toast, keeping her eyes averted. “That’s good, right? That’s what you both wanted.”
“Yes. I—” He turned the coffee container so the handle would be near Thalia’s dominant hand. Her nose bunched up in confusion.
“So, what’s the plan?” she asked before taking a bite out of the toast. She licked her lips to get any lingering jam and crumbs.
“A kumakre egg must be returned to Rolusdreus. Then Earth.”
“Sure thing, DB.”
“We need to talk about last night,” he said.
Thalia
“I want—” Pushing away from the table, he paced the width of the common room.
He turned toward her, ready to speak. Her posture perked up, ready to listen. His mouth clamped shut and he returned to pacing.
He flexed his hand, stretching the fingers so they would cease their trembling.
Something was wrong.
“If the next words out of your mouth is any combination of ‘last night was a mistake,’ I will shove you right out the airlock. You are not breaking up with me,” she said.
“What? No. You will stay,” he blurted. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too. Space pirates are not as much fun as you’d think,” she said blithely.
“You know my heart.” He didn’t have to look so pained saying it.
“You’re making me worried. What are you telling me?”
“I missed you,” he repeated.
“Yeah, but—”
“No. Listen to my words. I mourned the loss of my former mate. For two years, I searched for her. Not once during those years did I miss her.” He leaned down, pressing his forehead to hers. Stray strands of hair drifted down. “Our acquaintance is only a handful of weeks old, but I missed you mightily.”
Holy fucking shitballs.
She must have said that part out loud because he grinned. Flustered, she didn’t know what to do with her hands or the coffee. Just keep drinking and play it cool?
The chair fell to the floor in her haste to reach him. She grabbed his hand, and he looked startled.
“I want to do this. With you. Just you,” she said. “You put your mark on me. I want to put my mark on you.” She ran a thumb over the whirling tattoos inked into his wrists. They glowed with such intensity last night.
“Yesterday, you marked me with the blood of your enemy,”
