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“It’s not so bad,” she whispered almost demurely as she stared up at him, though the words sounded more like I love you.

He gave her a breathtaking grin as he leapt to the ground, then his smile shifted, showing off more of his fangs.

“And I will be the one kissing it better,” he informed her, his gaze and smile promising a very dirty time.

“Go!” she laughed, somewhat nervously, as she pointed toward the canyon.

Payim chuckled and started walking.

“Are we looking for a flicker like when your cruiser crashed?” she asked while they headed up the ridge, closest to the ocean.

“The cloaking array should be working fine, so there won’t be a flicker. Look for a spot where the environment looks slightly off, like a reflective bubble. It’s hard to describe.” He grimaced as they reached the top of the ridge at the edge of the canyon.

“I think I get it.” She nodded and studied the landscape where the ocean poured into the canyon.

There was a strange call. It sounded almost like a bird, but none she’d heard on Hell. Payim spun, facing up the canyon.

“By the goddess!” Payim shouted in excitement.

She was surprised to see the top of what looked like a very, very big ship poking up from the deluge filling the canyon. Atop the now visible hull stood a man who looked a lot like Payim. It was so damn close, if they were enemies, she and Payim would be dead already.

“By the goddess indeed!” the red man hollered back. “Greetings, female.” He bowed.

“Elena, Faktil.” Payim introduced them.

“Hi.” She waved.

“It will be my pleasure to have formal greetings once you two are safely aboard. Payim, you want to load that hunk of space debris before we’re spotted?” Faktil inquired. She didn’t know him, but he sounded gregarious like Payim.

“Aye!” Payim shouted back.

“This is really happening. We’re getting rescued,” she whispered excitedly as they headed back to the reptile’s cruiser.

THIRTEEN

SPOILED

Payim quo Desero

His shoulders eased as he powered down the Jurou Biljana cruiser in the hangar bay of the Osivoire vessel. It felt better getting the cruiser out of the open, in case any more scouts came this way.

Payim grinned at the way Elena eagerly undid her harness as he got up from his seat. His few days on Gienah felt like an epic adventure but for Elena that went double and then some. Her excitement compounded his own. He scooped her up before she could climb out of her chair.

“I promise my knee isn’t that bad, just sore,” Elena reiterated.

He looked dubiously at her. “Stubborn female, let me take care of you. Recall what you told me about sharing burdens?”

Elena smiled. “Yes, sir.” She nodded and snuggled up against him.

A proud growl rumbled in his chest as he headed to the exit. From the moment he laid eyes on Elena he’d wanted to pamper her. Now that they were on the Osivoire ship he planned to do exactly that. Although he also wanted to carry her for another very selfish reason. Everyone would know Elena was his bonded from the instant they stepped off the cruiser. Faktil had sounded intrigued and way too eager to meet his Elena.

Despite the possessive streak coursing through him, he was thrilled to see his comrades when the cruiser door opened.

“The devil, a skeleton, and a Wookie walk into a bar,” Elena murmured as they exited.

“What was that?” Payim asked, glancing down at her.

“Nothing. I was reminded of a joke,” she replied, sounding nervous as she shook her head.