“You sound like a philosophical old man.”
Tossing me a lopsided grin, he replies, “And you speak like a child who has yet to accept the reality of her situation.”
Smothering back a smile, I decide that I like Tarion's childhood friend. “I will take what you said under advisement.”
“You should get back before my friend thinks you have made another escape attempt.”
“We wouldn’t want that.”
When he disappears from the doorway, I take a long look at the swirling nebula on the other side of the window and then head for the door myself. I go back and forth in my mind between arguing with Tarion about giving me my freedom and just accepting the situation for what it is. I turn the situation over in my mind, break it apart and analyze the details until my head hurts.
Before I’m finished, I find myself standing in front of the door to his quarters. When the door slides open, I step over the threshold. Once again, I’m standing at the foot of his bed trying to figure out what to do. Looking at his long muscular body laid out on the bed, I realize there’s only one choice to make.
Peeling off clothing, I climb back into his bed and snuggle up against him, luxuriating in his warmth. I want freedom, but I want him more. I want his grumpiness, his rare smiles and his adoration. For some reason, I also want to know he’s safe and happy. That matters to me as well.
12
Tarion
Waking with Carissa in my arms fills me with a level of contentment unmatched by any other victory I’ve known. Luxuriating in her warmth and scent, I can’t get enough of her. Truth be told, she is like candy to my forked tongue and I can hardly get enough of her. Wishing nothing more than to enjoy her affections all over again this morning, I gently disengage from her and force myself from the bed.
Quietly engaging the cleanser, I prepare for my day. At some point during the process, it occurs to me that Carissa accepted me even though I was likely presenting at my worst. While she was away, eating, sleeping and caring for my body were low ranking priorities, forgotten in my desperate quest to locate and secure her before another took her into hand. Though she is a fighter, her frail body is not for the rough talons of another male. She is meant to be mine and will hopefully realize the life I offer is in her best long-term interest.
Heading reluctantly to the command deck, there are duties awaiting me. Foremost among them is deciding our next course of action after retrieving the remaining crew from Pralor Six.
I spy Lehar speaking with some crew members in our meeting room near the bridge. Slipping into the room, I wait while he finishes doling out responsibilities. My first officer is very efficient and can be relied upon to operate in my stead. It is our longstanding friendship and his aversion to being controlled by his family that enables me to enjoy his dedicated service.
“Greetings, Captain. Shall I assume you slept well with your brooder finally returned to your bed?”
“You know me well, Lehar. Shall I assume we are in route to Pralor Six?”
“Since we are not encumbered with sending out search probes and following decaying exhaust trails, we have made good time. We should be arriving at Pralor Six within the next solar revolution.”
“We will stay long enough for the remaining crew to have shore leave.”
“I anticipated such would be your orders, so I have prepared temporary crew assignments for those returning and worked out an abbreviated leave mixed with a bonus for the remaining crew which will ensure their continued satisfaction and decrease the down time we experience waiting for them.”
My mind has already returned to the brooder sleeping soundly in my quarters. Having her at my side, safe and untouched by violence or adversity is a weight off my mind. I briefly consider taking her down to the pleasure planet for a short respite but decide that I don’t dare for fear that she may escape again. I fear that she will never understand how unsafe it is for her to roam the verse on her own.
Lehar’s voice draws me from my worries. “You are not listening to my report.”
Glancing up at his amused face, I can’t help but smile back. “Apologies my friend, what were you saying?”
“I was asking if you have decided on whether or not to keep your new brooder. A clever and resourceful female is rare. Such a prize should not be cast aside lightly.”
“She is all that you say and beautiful to boot. However, she refuses to see the dangers involved in being on her own in this sector of space. She seeks her freedom at all costs, like it is a great prize to be won. Though I admire her strength and independence, I would be her shield against the many dangers surrounding her. I fear she will not have it.”
“You sound like your attachment to this one might be more permanent than the others. Do you think she could be your mate?”
“She is not Drakon.”
“Did you dream lock with her?”
“I dreamt of her while we were separated, or rather my dragon did. We dreamed of her often, always with my dragon searching endlessly for her small, pale form. No sooner did we find her than she slipped away again. Rather than the traditional dream lock of bonded mates, it felt more like a dream born of my anxieties about her safety.”
“In order to be a dream lock, she would have to bear your mark.”
Shifting in my seat, I am reluctant to admit to biting her. When a Drakon male
