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“You’re a commander,” Maklr protested.

“True. But you don’t report to me anymore, not since you resigned from the fleet.”

Maklr groaned in frustration. Nell slid a bowl of soup in front of him. He looked up from the tablet, smiling gratefully. “Thank you,” he said. “Let me try Zand.” Maklr pushed in another code.“Stars, he’s blocked my comm code.” Nell motioned to the soup. “Okay I'll eat and think. Thank you.”

Once finished, Maklr took the bowl to the sink and washed it. He paced the kitchen. “Who else do I know who can pilot a conveyance? Navil? Philtan?”

“Hey, Phil? It’s Mak.” He frowned at the feminine laughter in the background of the call.

“Sorry, friend. I’m a bit preoccupied. Now is not a good time.” Philtan ended the communication.

Nell punched in a code on her tablet. “Navil, Maklr has a problem.”

“Is that Nell?” Ivy jostled the tablet from her mate. “How are you?”

Maklr answered, telling them his tale. “Unfortunately, we can’t help you,” Navil said. “We’re with my family, and you know what they’re like.”

“Who knows. Maybe it’ll be good for both of you.” Ivy’s voice sounded sympathetic.

“Was this your plan?” Nell asked quietly to Ivy.

“Plan?” Ivy sounded incredulous. “No. Give it a week.”

“No.” Nell shook her head. “I can’t.

“Wait, you want me to stay with Nell in a one bedroom tiny cabin for a week? Absolutely not,” Maklr fumed. He kept his temper under control for Nell’s sake.

“Give it a week, Nell. If you can’t, I’ll personally come and get you, that’s the earliest I can make it out,” Navil said.

“Listen, Nell, I know you can do this. It’s Maklr. He won’t hurt you. You know him.”

Nell sucked in a deep breath, heart pounding. She wiped her clammy hands against her pants. “Okay,” she whispered, hanging up on Ivy and Navil.

Maklr’s eyes widened. “Are you sure? I can sleep outside.”

“No. I’d feel safer with you inside the house.”

“I’m sorry if my anger before upset you. It wasn’t my intention.”

“I know,” Nell whispered. She opened a built-in closet in the wall, pulling out a set of sheets, dropping them on the couch. She removed the cushions to set up a bed.

Maklr shook his head. “What are you doing?” Nell pointed at the sheets. “Are you planning on sleeping on the couch?” She nodded. “No, I’ll take the couch.”

“I’m smaller.”

“No, it is only right. A female’s comfort is paramount,” Maklr said.

“All right,” Nell said, her voice soft. She stood in the doorway to the bedroom. The intricately carved orange wood door shut with a click. “Thank you.”

Chapter 7

Maklr

“Didyousleepwelllast night?” Maklr asked when Nell emerged fully dressed from her room the next morning. She shrugged. “Same as every other night?” She nodded. He pasted a grin on his face. “I hope my snoring didn’t keep you awake.”

Nell padded into the kitchen, opening cabinets.

“Looking for anything in particular?” Maklr gestured toward a pan simmering on the stove. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m an early riser. I took the liberty of preparing first meal. Hope you like porridge and fresh fruit.” He placed a bowl at the far end ofthe table, closer to the door. Nell sat, holding the metal spoon delicately over the bowl. “It’s all safe. I assure you,” he said.