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Chapter Eight

“W hy are you so…flushed, Lily?” Nerx touched his daughter’s cheek.

“Britt played hopscotch with me and Ziot.” Lily bit into her hotdog with gusto before Nerx could ask her another question.

His O.D.I. explained the meaning of the word and its rules.

He ate his fourth hotdog, desperate to find the sec vids from the common.

Just like that, Britt had become a part of Lily’s life, and all it had taken was a day.

Lily was fearful of strangers, yet Britt had won her over with ease.

He should see this as a good sign, but until his Dar Eth committed to him, he didn’t want Lily becoming too attached to Britt.

Although, if she rejected him, he’d die and orphan Lily.

What have I done?

He stared at his daughter, his chest cinching. Winning Britt was paramount, now more than ever.

“Ziot too?” he asked.

“We’re going to play again tomorrow.” Lily slurped her juice, unable to sit still.

He caught the tail end of her braid, running his fingers along it. Britta.

Lily jumped to her feet to clear her plate and glass, then she shoved her paints and paper into a bag.

“Where are you going?” He blinked at his untouched giyua juice then gulped it down.

“To find Britt.” The door closed behind Lily, leaving him alone.

He cleaned up, not even bothering to finish his last hotdog. Tonight, it would be kreso for him, and he was looking forward to it. His teeth itched for the texture, if that made sense.

Tapping the display vid in his quarters, he summoned the sec vids from the common. His focus shifted between Britta and Lily. Their joy was breathtaking, their interactions inspiring. How easily Britta had charmed his Lily made his soul sing. His Dar Eth was more beautiful to him than an hour ago.

He made it to the common before a sobbing Lily found him.

“I can’t find her, Nerxie.”

He caught her into his arms for a cuddle. “Where did you look?”

“Her mommy said Britt wasn’t there. And she’s not in the common or with Uncle Edon.” Lily’s eyes widened. “Did the sharks take her?”

Nerx bit back a laugh. Lily must have heard about the sharklike Yithians from Lady Ava. “Come, let’s look for her together.” He strode to the ladder and called up, “Lady Britta?”

“Yup?”

Lily squealed, scrambled out of Nerx’s arms, then up the ladder. He followed, but hesitated, even as Lily settled on the edge of Britta’s blanket.

“I hope she is not intruding,” he said, remembering Britta’s desperation for privacy.

“Not at all. This will be mine and Lily’s treehouse, right, squirt?”

Nerx absorbed every feature of the woman before him. Yes, she’d been a pain in his backside since she’d sprayed his eyes, but now, she was nothing short of extraordinarily entertaining.

“No boys allowed,” Lily called, giving Nerx an adorable glare.

Britta laughed. It filled the small space with joy and vibrancy. “You can’t chase away the captain in his own ship.”

Lily giggled. “Nerxie, I stay with Britt. Okay?”

“All right, minus susa .” He dipped his head as he turned to leave. “I shall fetch you… both for dinner.”

He met Britta’s gaze and held it until she nodded. Her easy acquiescence gave him hope. He stole glimpses while descending through the hatch, wishing he was the one sitting at her feet.

He strode into the comm, debating with himself whether he should eavesdrop on the viewing deck. Settling into a comfy, he tugged the tablet across the table and stared at it. No, he had to trust to be trusted.

A bright light, tiny, in the distance,

Creates more hope than a shooting star.

For the light is constant,

A beacon promising everlasting reprieve.

As awe-inspiring the fleeting star,

As portent and mystical,

It cannot compare to a life without darkness.

That is what you are to me, blossoming hope in a pointless existence.

His last poem was meant for Lily, but it applied to Britta as well.

He drew in a long inhale then focused on his tasks.

On a scimitar, communication and requests weren’t endless.

Usually it was to note a defect in an engine part or the low reserves he himself had checked last night.

If any of his males onboard needed to discuss something, they spoke to him, face-to-face.

He had to admit, he preferred that to sifting through mails.

“Comm Advisor Kanzo,” he said to Edon.

“Yes, Supreme Commander. Linking you through.”

Nerx leaped to his feet and assumed position in front of a smaller display vid mounted above the console. “Advisor Kanzo,” he greeted when Kanzo answered. “Just an update for the queen. We have her doctor on board and are en route to Etteria. Expected arrival is thirteen days.”

“Excellent news. Well done. The king is informed.” Kanzo shoved his face into the vid, his eyes widened and so did his grin. “You found your Dar Eth? Is it the doctor?”

Nerx chuckled, accepting the joy as his due. “No, Lady Dahlia is Aldur’s.”

“Aldur? My king, Supreme Commander brings good news.” Kanzo disappeared off vid, but still his voice carried. “Aldur is saved, Nerx too.”

“Both?” King Xeus stepped into the vid, stared into Nerx’s eyes, then laughed. “What a remarkable species humans are.” A frown faded his smile. “If not the doctor, then who?”

“Her daughter,” Nerx said. “Lady Britta.”

“Wonderful. I am sure to meet them both soon. All of Etteria is with you.” The king ended the comm from his side, as expected from a warrior with a higher rank.

“Foresee any obstacles?” Nerx asked Edon.

A quick tap of his fingers zoomed the vids from all angles around the scimitar and along the comm stations on their trajectory. “Nothing, Supreme Commander.”

“Good.” Nerx sat and grabbed his tablet.

“The problem with these tactical missions is how to fill one’s time,” Edon offered, sliding a glance at Nerx.

“Indeed. Up for a sparring session?” Nerx smirked. “Summon Ziot to the comm room.”

A grinning Edon did so, then jumped up. “Swords, staves, daggers?”

“Grappling,” Nerx said, for it would exhaust him the most.

“Mm, challenge accepted, Supreme Commander.”

Ziot strode in, also wearing a smile. “If I did not have to man the comm, I would enjoy the sport.”

“Watch,” Edon said, gesturing to the display vids. “When Sub-Commander Matir or Sena start their shift, perhaps they would spar with you.”

“Suggest a roster,” Aldur said, appearing at the door. “Has Lady Britta been found?”

Nerx squeezed his shoulder in passing. “Britta and Lily are in the ‘treehouse.’” He pointed at the ceiling to the viewing deck. “That is if Lady Dahlia is concerned.”

“She will be overjoyed to hear this. My thanks, Supreme Commander.” Aldur swiveled away, then spun back, his mouth gaping. “Your eyes…” His widened. “Lady Britta?”

“Yes, though I have yet to inform her.”

Aldur stilled. “I am in the same predicament. Had Dahlia been Etterian…” He tapped his O.D.I., no doubt to adjust his suit. Nerx did that way too often in Britta’s presence.

“Indeed,” Nerx said. “Now is the time, before we reach Etteria. They cannot leave the confines of this ship even if they wish to.” Wise words he needed to follow.

Yet, his situation was complicated. He had to win Britta over first. Telling her she was his salvation while she still hated him was a definite path to death.

“You are correct to mention this,” Aldur said, then beamed. “I am learning much about the human physiology, specifically a woman’s. Remarkable.” He left, muttering to himself about hormones.

Thumping his chest released his armor which Nerx shrugged off, letting it fall to the floor beside the mat. Edon did the same, then circled, his gaze focused.

Nerx stood in the center of the padded mat, designed to cushion the inevitable falls. Tension thickened the air with anticipation. He kept his posture relaxed, but he calculated possible moves before they happened.

“Supreme Commander.” Edon bowed, his fist on his chest above his heart. A confident smirk played across his mouth. He was younger and faster, but Nerx had experience and strategy on his side.

“Pilot Edon.” Nerx thumped his chest.

Edon lunged, aiming a swift punch at Nerx’s midsection. Nerx sidestepped, grabbing the pilot’s arm and using his momentum to flip him over onto the mat. Edon rolled to his feet, undeterred. He launched a series of rapid strikes, each one aimed to test Nerx’s defenses.

Nerx blocked and parried with precise movements, using minimal effort to counter the pilot’s attacks.

He saw an opening and took it, delivering a quick elbow strike to Edon’s side, making him grunt in pain.

The pilot responded with a kick, which Nerx caught mid-air, twisting his leg to unbalance him.

Edon fell but flipped back up, this time more cautious. He tried a different tactic, attempting to sweep Nerx’s legs. Nerx jumped, avoiding the move, and landed a powerful knee strike to Edon’s chest, sending him sprawling back.

“Well done, Supreme Commander,” Edon said, wiping sweat from his brow. “But I am not done yet.”

Nerx nodded, respecting the younger male’s tenacity. “I should hope not. We have just begun.”

Edon charged again, this time feinting left before aiming a right hook at Nerx’s jaw. He’d anticipated the move, ducking under the punch and slipping behind the pilot. In a swift motion, he wrapped his arm around Edon’s neck, locking him in a chokehold.

Edon struggled, trying to break free, but Nerx tightened his grip, applying just enough pressure to prove he was in control. Edon’s movements slowed as if he’d realized he was caught.

“Yield,” Nerx commanded, his voice calm but firm.

Edon hesitated, then tapped Nerx’s arm, signaling his submission.

Nerx released him, then offered a hand to help him up.

“Good fight,” Edon said, his breathing labored as he took Nerx’s hand.

“Not bad,” Nerx said with a smile. “You have much potential.”

“My thanks, Supreme Commander.” Edon thumped his chest, gathered his armor, and left the common.