Page 180

He took her hand, his trembling, as he stepped out on shaky limbs, clasping her hips to steady himself.

She held onto him, even though he loomed over her.

‘I’m not letting you fall, honey, not now, not ever,’ she murmured, kissing his temple.

‘Sante,belleza,’ he whispered.

She dried him, helped him into fresh clothes, and kissed him again on the cheek, brow, and fingers.

There was nothing sexual in the moment, just intimacy, care, and tenderness.

Later, curled up beside him in his hover bed, he pulled her close with the bit of strength he possessed.

‘I don’t deserve you,’ he mumbled, his lips against her hair.

She held him tighter. ‘Stop. I should be the one saying that given how many times you’ve saved my ass now. Also, I’m with you because I adore you, flaws and all, and I know you feel the same way about me.’

‘Damn straight,mi cielo, damnfokkin’ straight.’

The medbay was a haven of silence save for the rhythmic pulse of the machines monitoring Xander’s vitals.

He reclined on the bio-bed with his eyes half-lidded, the deep wounds along his torso now faded to angry pink streaks.

Savvine sat curled beside him on the edge of the mattress, her fingers combing through his hair, more out of habit than necessity.

His breathing steadied, but the battle had left a fog in his muscles, and sleep still pulled at him like a tide.

The door hissed open.

Miral strode in, lean and composed, dressed in her flight uniform once more.

Behind her came Kaal and Santi, sporting fresh gear. However, their faces were still weary from all the cleanup after the skirmish.

Savvine glanced up, face brightening at the sight of Miral in one piece. ‘You’re back to yourself.’

The synth AI’s regenerated shimmering form sashayed in a svelte jumpsuit, with jeweled metanoids glittering all over her silhouette.

She appeared untouched by the war they’d just waged, and smirked. ‘I’m doing more than that. I ran a full combat sim this morning. I’m lethal, baby.’

‘Damn,’ Xander murmured without opening his eyes. ‘She’s back to being smug asfokk.’

‘Damn right I am,’ Miral said, stepping to the foot of the bed. ‘Look at you. Charred, seared like steak, and still managing to act cocky.’

Xander opened one eye. ‘It’s a talent.’

Kaal snorted. ‘Now, who’s arrogant? Bet you he’s also been roaring like a wounded war god.’

Savvine gave a mock eye roll. ‘He’s so demanding. I’ve had soap him down, too.’

Santi groaned. ‘Spare us the visual. Thekinaialmost died and still somehow lucked out.’

Xander let out a chuckle, wincing as his ribs twinged. ‘I’m lying here like a scalded sausage and you’re all jealous.’

‘Damn right,’ Kaal muttered. ‘I’ve never had anyone bathe me like that.’

‘You want a bath, fight a synth bot with nuclear teeth,’ Miral said dryly.

They chuckled, the easy rhythm of shared survival settling in.