Page 33 of Adtovar (The Alliance Rescue #1)
I stood in the heart of the spaceship, gazing up with a smile at the star-spangled expanse of space visible through the wide, surrounding windows of the atrium.
It was like looking into a sea of diamonds scattered across a velvet canvas.
All around me, lush plants flourished, their vibrant blooms a kaleidoscope of colors—crimson reds, sunlit yellows, deep purples, and fresh greens—each petal and leaf shimmering with life under the soft glow of the ambient lighting.
A blend of fragrances perfumed the air, mingling with the subtle hum of the ship’s engines, creating an otherworldly sanctuary in the vastness of space.
The garden had quickly become my favorite place aboard the Historia .
In the month since I boarded the ship, I had essentially taken over the care and nurturing of the lush oasis.
It was surprising how much I remembered from listening to my aunt and grandmother talk about gardening.
Their wisdom had taken root in my mind more deeply than I had ever imagined.
While the space was a far cry from my aunt’s garden in New Orleans, yet it held its own charm. The plants, with their alien shapes and vivid, otherworldly colors, seemed to pulse with life. It was different, yes, but it would do—very well indeed.
To my delight, I discovered that many extraterrestrial flora shared properties with Earth plants, their scents and uses being astonishingly similar.
I had stumbled upon facsimiles of tea tree, with its sharp, invigorating aroma; lavender, exuding a calming, floral fragrance; and bergamot, with its bright, citrusy notes.
This cosmic garden, with its unearthly allure, was a testament to the universal language of nature.
A sharp whistle pierced the air, pulling my attention to the overhead walkway.
I couldn’t help but grin and wave as I spotted Sureeta striding by, looking exceptionally sharp in her crisp navy and hunter-green uniform.
Like the gladiators and Fric, she decided to remain on board the Historia and join the crew, embracing the adventures that lay ahead.
The other females—Emmiait, Meeka, Teenalia, Kysia, and Lafalia—had already departed, setting off toward the comforting embrace of their homes and families. I always hated saying goodbye, but the tears I shed while bidding each one farewell held a bittersweet blend of sadness and happiness.
“Here you are.” I turned just as Adtovar stepped around a tree that could have been the twin of the Japanese maple from my aunt’s garden... save for the bright pink leaves.
“Hi you.” I tilted my face upward, inviting Adtovar to lean down and plant a kiss on my lips.
Adtovar’s expression radiated affection as he gazed at me. Yet beneath that tenderness, I sensed an undercurrent of restlessness, a subtle flicker in his gaze, like a ripple disturbing the surface of a tranquil pond.
“Did Duke Ako get to Earth okay?” I asked, probing into the issue I believed caused Adtovar’s unease.
The Historia remained in orbit around Saturn while Duke Ako embarked on a solitary journey, traveling to Earth.
Years ago, Ako made the heart wrenching decision to send his true mate, a human woman named Helene, back to Earth to protect her.
Now, she was under threat from a Kerzak criminal, prompting Duke Ako to mount a rescue.
This left Adtovar as acting captain of the Historia in Ako’s absence, as well as worrying about his friend.
“Yes,” Adtovar said and relaxed slightly. “We also received word that Bozzo arrived on the prison planet.”
“Good,” I huffed. “I hope he rots there.”
“My fierce little mate,” Adtovar chuckled and dropped a kiss on my forehead. “And before you ask, yes, Duke Ako took the letter for your aunt.”
A comforting warmth surged through me, wrapping around my heart like a gentle embrace. Despite the urgency of saving his mate, Duke Ako had promised to get a letter to my aunt. My message was simple: I had fallen deeply in love and was blissfully happy, having followed my new husband to his home.
“Thank you,” I gushed and hugged him tightly.
It had been Adtovar’s idea, knowing how I hated thinking my aunt worried.
She’d still be pissed about my leaving without a goodbye, but hopefully, not nearly as worried as I knew she had been.
Adtovar hugged me back but still felt too tense for my liking.
“You’re not worried about acting as Captain, are you?” Duke Ako had been more than plain that he suffered no qualms whatsoever about Adtovar helming the Historia in his absence.
“No,” he smirked. “Though my free time may be less until Ako returns.”
“Then we’ll just have to make do with quickies ,” I teased.
“Quickies?”
A burst of laughter escaped me at the perplexed expression etched across his features.
“I’ll tell you later,” I promised as I pressed closely against him.
The warmth of his body seeped into mine, creating a comforting cocoon.
“Or better yet, I’ll show you,” I added, my eyes dancing with a hint of mischief.
“I see,” Adtovar chuckled, his eyes twinkling as he realized my inference.
His hand cupped my cheek, and he leaned in, capturing my lips in a tender yet passionate kiss.
I barely had time to savor the soft, electrifying touch of his tongue dancing against mine when suddenly his wrist comm buzzed with an urgent, insistent vibration that cut through the moment rudely.
Yet, Adtovar smiled broadly when he glanced at the message.
“Come, my mate, I have a surprise for you.”
I grinned as I slipped my hand into his warm, firm grip. His surprises usually meant sex. With the Historia currently in orbit awaiting Ako’s return, I anticipated—and hoped—for a lot of surprises in the days to come.
Adtovar guided me to our quarters, the gentle swish of the door closing behind us serving as a familiar herald, signifying that we were home.
I’d done a little redecorating, and the cozy space enveloped us, filled with the subtle scent of lavender and warm, and soft lighting.
I felt a surge of curiosity and surprise when Adtovar, instead of leading me to the bed as I expected, settled us on the plush, deep-cushioned sofa.
With a graceful flick of the wrist, Adtovar activated the holoprojector on a nearby sleek, glass-topped table that bathed the room in a kaleidoscope of colors.
An image slowly materialized, revealing a striking young woman with brown hair cascading over her shoulders and bright blue eyes. She sat beside a male, his distinct features and cobalt-gold eyes unmistakably marking him as a Vaktaire. A few others of his kind were members of the Historia’s crew.
I knew the minute our visage came into focus for them. The woman smiled broadly and waved. “Grandpa!”
Huh? I snorted, trying to hold back a laugh, and cut my eyes at Adtovar. “Did she just call you Grandpa?”
“Yes,” Adtovar gruffed and rolled his eyes, which only served to amuse me more.
“Wait a minute,” the female announced. Even through the hologram, I could tell her blue eyes focused on me. “Who is that?”
Adtovar slipped an arm around my shoulders. I felt the subtle tension in his muscles, a sign of the pride welling up within him. “Willa, this is my mate, Maddie. Maddie, this is my human daughter Willa and her mate Charick.”
I had never witnessed shock etched so vividly on a human face before.
It was as if her every feature froze in a moment of pure disbelief.
Yet, for me, there was no surprise at all.
I was well-acquainted with the tale of Adtovar, Willa, and Charick during their time in the brutal gladiator pit on Ajaxuan and how much my mate loved his chosen family.
The visage of shock across Willa’s face cracked, morphing into pure joy. “Mate? Seriously? Oh my God, I’m so happy for you. How did this happen?”
Between us, Adtovar and I wove the tale of our meeting, falling in love, and escaping from the planet Budak.
Willa and Charick hung onto every word with rapt attention.
Laughter bubbled up frequently, interspersed with moments of sheer outrage.
Occasionally, Willa’s eyes glistened with tears, spurring Charick to comfort her tenderly.
I tensed involuntarily when Adtovar admitted he’d broken his vow not to fight, ready to defend my mate without hesitation.
Thankfully, Willa took in the news of her alien father’s heroic actions not only with understanding, but with pride.
“And you ended up with a gal that makes bombs,” Willa chuckled, wiping the residual moisture from her cheeks. “How perfect is that?”
“Absolutely perfect,” Adtovar concurred, gently lifting my hand and brushing a soft, lingering kiss against my knuckles. “I’ve tried contacting you for weeks to make introductions, but Ako said the Bardaga was on some kind of covert mission.”
Charick and Willa exchanged a sheepish glance, their eyes momentarily meeting with a mix of embarrassment and amusement.
“Sort of,” Willa admitted, her cheeks flushing a soft pink.
“Sort of?” Adtovar repeated, one brow cocking ever so slightly. Though he hadn’t been a father for very long, he’d already mastered the demeanor of a skeptical dad.
Willa shared a look with her mate, chewing on her lower lip nervously. “Don’t freak out.”
Charick exhaled a long, deep breath, his chest rising and falling as if each word he was about to utter tested the very limits of his patience. “Willa, my heart. Telling someone not to freak out is the best way to ensure that they do.”
“Yes,” Adtovar agreed, squirming in his seat beside me. “I am beginning to feel rather freaked out.”
I didn’t even know either of them very well and I felt a tad freaked out. “What happened?”