Page 12

She nodded, a slight tilt of her head in affirmation. Nell fumbled in her bag, bringing out her tablet; the Boulderbark Retreats logo large on the glowing screen.

“Did Charlotte do this to you, too? If you believe it, she said I needed a break. Somehow she has the Sovereign’s ear, and they both think I need a change of scenery and rest.” Maklr said, keeping his voice low. “I hope you don’t mind me talking for you,” Maklr whispered when Philtan finally lowered his natural volume. “I saw he was making you uncomfortable. He doesn’t mean anything by it. Sometimes, more often than not actually, he doesn’t know his own size, strength or volume. If you didn’t see before, he picked me up and squeezed me so hard he knocked the breath out of me. I had to pat him on the back and tell him to put me down. For his size, Phil is a gentle giant.”

Nell remained silent. “Do you mind if I sit here?” Maklr asked again quietly. He glanced around, but no other seat was available on the shuttle. Nell looked uncomfortable. She bit her lower lip, eyes wide, and nodded.

From the row in front, Philtan suddenly snapped his fingers. “I recognize you!” he exclaimed as Zand and the shuttle’s engines sprang to life, launching them on their way to Ashuk.

Nell’s eyes widened.

“I don’t think you do, Phil,” Maklr said.

“Of course I do. She’s the woman with the incredible voice. You had to have heard it. You know, the one who held the baby. Everyone calmed when you sang. Are you going to sing again? Is that why you’re headed to the resort? I heard there’s a stage and sometimes the staff lets people perform there.”

“No.” Nell glanced at Maklr.

“I don’t think so,” Maklr said. “She needs the rest just as much as we do.”

Philtan nodded. “Oh, it’s a prescribed break. I see. So you’re not going for business, only pleasure.” He winked and pointed at the seat between Nell and Maklr. “No, I bet more pleasure than anything.”

“Phil,” Maklr pushed a hard warning into his voice.

“Fine. I get it. She’s yours. Hands off.” Philtan raised his hands in an ‘I surrender’ motion.

Maklr sighed. “It’s not like that, but she is off limits.”

“To me?” Philtan asked.

“To everyone.”

“Right. Because that makes sense.” Philtan winked at Maklr.

“It does. If you’d stop being so obtuse, you’d understand.”

Nell gestured toward the empty seat, a slight smile, all the encouragement he needed to scoot closer to her, trying his best not to have his knees bump against hers. He rested his head against the plush cushion on the wall, taking care to lean a bit forward so his horns did not pierce the fabric or cause a dent in the inside hull of the shuttle. His hands fiddled with the civilian clothing he wore, and he found himself subconsciouslyreaching for the stethoscope he’d learned to wear around his neck. Finding it not there he sighed.

As Zand piloted the shuttle toward the retreat Maklr’s eyes fluttered shut and he fell into a restless nap.

Chapter 6

Nell

Nellwatchedthroughherlashes as Maklr slept easily on the journey to Ashuk. She admired the ease with which he felt comfortable enough to allow his body to relax and fall asleep. Sleep was something that evaded her. Though she’d gotten better, she yearned for the days where she could trust in her safety as she slept. The Elodians took that from her. One day, she’d get back to her old self. Determined to put the past behind her and continue to heal, Nell forced her lips into a thin line,tamping away the memories. She’d come so far since her arrival on Klaga, but there was more work to be done.

Eventually, the shuttle lowered through the billowing clouds and began its descent to a burnt orange field of trees. Of its own volition, Nell’s mouth dropped open, and she gasped at the epic scenery before her. A myriad of lakes, forests, hills and even two massive waterfalls on the continent of Ashuk made the trip worth all her discomfort.

“Beautiful,” she whispered. The shuttle jolted, hitting a rare patch of turbulence. Nell stifled a yelp. Half a heartbeat later, Maklr leaned over. “Are you okay? It’s just turbulence,” he said. “It appears you pressed your face against the window, admiring the view. Did you hurt yourself? I have a regen wand in my bag.”

“No, I’m okay.”

Maklr inched closer, his body warm behind her. If Nell leaned back, her back would press against Maklr’s muscular chest. “Do you mind if I look too?” he asked. Nell shook her head and pointed at the window. “Thank you,” he said. “The beauty of this planet never ceases to amaze me. This is your first time off Eoris, right?” Nell nodded. “If you like Ashuk, there’s one other major continent on Klaga, Tapris,” Maklr said. “That’s more mountainous and rugged.”

“This is pretty.” Nell’s voice registered above a whisper.

“It is,” Maklr agreed.

“What are you two staring at?” Philtan asked, a wide smile etched on his face.

“Only the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen,” Maklr said, his gaze fixated on Nell. She flushed crimson at the compliment.