Page 74

She panned the men, as unusual as they were to everything she’d known, she felt a deep sense of relief. It verged on overwhelming.

“Thank you, all of you. I never thought I’d see this day. It’s been a long two years,” she sighed.

“Tomorrow, I promise we will discuss a plan to retrieve your people. Hopefully by then Scala will make it here.” Thorac nodded.

“Yes. Hopefully. After hearing how treacherous this planet is, I’m worried for that male.” Faktil grimaced, showing his fangs.

“His bony shell should help,” Payim reassured his friends.

“Yeah. I wish I had your armor when I arrived.” She nodded, backing him up.

“You two rest, bathe, eat. Until dawn,” Thorac encouraged as he headed for the clinic door.

“It was really great meeting you all,” she said again as Payim’s friends left.

“Is there anything else I should be concerned about?” the bone-armored doctor asked once the others were gone.

“No. All better.” Elena flexed her knee, then looked questioningly at Payim.

“I’m good as the goddess made me.” Payim examined his bicep with an approving nod, and she was relieved he didn’t point out some other injury she’d been oblivious of.

“Very good. Return if you need to.” The doctor nodded and began cleaning up the dirt they’d tracked in.

“We really do need to bathe,” she laughed under her breath.

“I can make that happen.” Payim scooped her up and headed for the door.

“I can walk now.”

“Too bad. I like carrying you.” He shook his head.

She laughed and gave in. It really was nice relaxing in his large, capable arms. As they walked through the broad hallway she took in the sight of the amazing ship. It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. Most of the people they passed were the bone-armored Osivoire. It made sense since Payim said this was their ship. By itself the ship and people weren’t overwhelming, but compared to her cave and solitude, this was a whole different world and utterly surreal.

“This is going to take time to get used to,” she commented as Payim rounded a corner and stopped.

“There’s no rush.” He smiled sweetly at her, adoration swimming in his dark eyes. A wicked twinkle then sparked to life. “And I plan to spoil you to take your mind off everything.”

The door opened and Payim stepped into the most sumptuous suite she’d ever seen. The walls were the bluest blue and the far corner was a tropical garden of Eden.

“I bet none of those plants explode.” She stared in awe.

“No. They’re all beautiful, just like you.” Payim gently set her down.

“Such a flatterer.” She smiled at him and wandered farther into the suite. “Is this really the room we’re staying in?” She circled near a bed that reminded her of a big fluffy pillow.

“Yes. It is for honored guests.” Payim followed her inside.

Her hand drifted over the bed.

“Oh God, it’s so soft and fluffy,” she moaned, rubbing back and forth.

How long had it been since she’d lain in anything so plush?

“I want to give you everything,” Payim said as she wandered by the plants.

“You’re so sweet,” she murmured, pausing to sniff one of the magenta blooms.

From bland, barren rock to vibrant luxury, this was a long way to come. She froze when she heard gurgling and pushed a palm frond aside. Her eyes widened, seeing what the screen of leafy green plants was concealing.