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“Okay,” she sighed, glad she wouldn’t be fornicating in front of some priest. Then something occurred to her that had been circling the back of her mind. “It’s just going to be you and me, right? I know you’ve been with a lot of women and your people are used to big families, lots of wives. It’s so selfish of me, but I can’t. I just can’t share you.” She started to hyperventilate.

She felt horrible. Aculus’ conclave would be devastated. Even though he hadn’t had a relationship with them, they’d waited so many years, hoping to one day start their family. She even felt sorry for that snooty bitch Costa.

“Nadzia.” Aculus lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “Yes, I’m used to all those things. But you’re all I need or want.”

She blew out a deep breath and smiled wistfully at him.

“When I get bitchy you won’t have anyone else you can flee to,” she warned him.

“I like you bitchy.” He grinned.

“No, you like me snarky. I mean when I get PMS and turn into a rage-filled wench.” She grimaced, picturing herself in bed clutching a heating pad while she screamed obscenities at Aculus for touching her or breathing too loud.

“I’m sure we’ll figure it out,” he assured her.

“And what about kids? I want children, don’t you? Will we even be able to have them?” She frowned. That was something she hadn’t even thought about until now.

“Nadzia.” He caressed her cheek with his thumb. “I love you.”

“And I love you.”

“Then trust me, we’ll figure this out.” He tapped her nose.

“Okay. I’ll trust you,” she relented. “Just this once,” she added.

“Just this once,” he grinned as he repeated her go to phrase. “And if I’m wrong you can unleash the rage-filled wench you say is hiding inside.”

She laughed as he stood with her and they headed out of the cockpit.

Aculus

“Welcome to the family.” Carol embraced him. “I haven’t ever seen my little girl laugh and smile the way she does with you,” she whispered, squeezing him tighter.

Her hug felt so good and it made him feel ashamed, ashamed that his own matron hadn’t readily accepted Nadzia the moment she discovered they were close. He shook off the disappointment with Axilla and concentrated on what Carol said instead.

“Thank you for telling me that.” He grinned.

Knowing that Nadzia was not just happy with him, but noticeably happy, filled him with a joy that shoved aside everything else.

“I hope you’re not disappointed we’re eloping.” Nadzia’s brow furrowed.

Carol released him and pulled Nadzia into a hug. “Sweetheart, it’s okay. I’m glad you two are happy. I’m sorry things aren’t going the way you hoped.” Carol looked sympathetically to him. “But I have faith it will all work out. And when Brennan is up and around, we’ll have a great big party with your sisters.”

“That sounds amazing.” Nadzia grinned.

The females looked to him to see if that was possible and he nodded. His comm pinged and he wasn’t surprised to see it was Axilla again. He instantly dismissed it.

“And maybe we can live on Cadi so you can see Providence and Abby all the time.”

He planned on suggesting it earlier, but after the umpteenth message from his matron it was sounding better and better.

“That would be wonderful.” Carol beamed.

“That’s sweet, Aculus, but let’s not make any plans till the thing with your family is resolved.” Nadzia reached out and squeezed his hand.

“Speaking of that, we need to get going,” he encouraged.

Before long the Conclave would send someone to hunt him down.I’m surprised they haven’t already.But he wasn’t about to take Nadzia on this trip without letting her see Carol and Brennan first.