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Chapter Fifteen

N erx waited outside Britta’s quarters. He’d announced his presence, but when she didn’t answer, his body tensed as his mind whispered of foul play.

Icy fear seized his lungs, blinded him, and pumped blood through his veins.

With his security access, he forced the door open.

One glance and a sense of emptiness confirmed she wasn’t there.

He hadn’t re-sealed the door to the shuttle bay.

Sprinting past the kuta to the engine room expended his pent-up energy, his hopes that he’d find her fueled him, even as he worried the Viqrians had stolen her.

Regent Haiz had studied Britta too long.

He hadn’t wanted to chase her away when she’d come to the comm, and perhaps, if Haiz saw a female on board, she’d show mercy. The news of Matir’s retrieval and condition had pursed Haiz’s lips despite Aldur and Lady Dahlia’s location being well received.

“Supreme Commander, just received comms the scimitar Sasay is only a half-day out.” Ziot chuckled, his good humor so incongruent with the crushing weight on Nerx’s chest. “Operations Commander Malo is as efficient as always.”

“Good,” Nerx managed. Though, he couldn’t confirm the Viqrians would still be on board by the time the scimitar arrived.

A part of him urged him to question them before they were released.

Malo would have, but Nerx lacked his skill sets.

And if Haiz learned he’d done so and when, it wouldn’t help King Xeus with talks of peace.

As a supreme commander and an unwilling ambassador for Etteria, Nerx had to act above board.

“Pilot Ziot, locate Lady Britta.”

Ziot’s response was swift. “She has not left your quarters.”

Relief flooded Nerx. Of course, she’d be there. He laughed at his ability to jump to extreme conclusions. “My thanks.”

Using the few minutes it would take to reach his home, he worked on calming his breathing. But when the door opened to the common room between his bedroom and Lily’s, the same emptiness along with the darkness sparked his concern. Not wanting to repeat his panic, he darted into his bedroom.

Finding Britta in his bed sucked the air out of his lungs.

Again the constriction on his chest eased.

He ignored his tumultuous emotions when they made no sense.

Instead, he peeked in on Lily, her leg tucked under the blanket when it was always out.

The toy usually clutched under her arm sat on a shelf beside the others.

His chest swelled at the evidence of Britta’s care, forcing him to take a few moments to calm his breathing.

His nostrils burned when he returned to her, but he doubted it was from lack of oxygen.

He stripped, tossing his armor onto a comfy, then slipped between the blanket and bed, able to pull Britta snug against him.

She mumbled something but didn’t stir otherwise.

As exhausted as he was, he lay there, content to hold her even as his thoughts pinged from scenario to repercussions.

If Haiz couldn’t return Aldur and Lady Dahlia, what could Nerx do?

He clenched his jaw, determination narrowing on the clearest solution.

Port in, snatch Aldur, then with blasters set to stun, rescue Lady Dahlia.

He was tempted to command Sena and Ziot to get it done.

And yet, he hesitated. Granting Haiz a little time might cross the many bridges Regent Kaara had undermined.

Britta rolled over and nestled deeper into his embrace. She rubbed her nose across his chest, her breath warm. “Mm,” she mumbled. “Any news?”

Her husky voice so like her throaty moans awoke his semi-hard malehood. He pressed an open-mouthed kiss to her neck, guided the collar of her tunic to the side, then brushed his lips across any exposed skin. She looped a leg around his, running her foot up and down his calf.

“We wait. Still.”

She raised her gaze to his, not hiding her grimace. “Enough with this waiting. Couldn’t Mom be grabbed from the other room, guns blazing?”

He grinned. The imagery of weapons on fire painted a vivid tale in his mind. “It is my next recourse. I shall give Regent Haiz until morning.”

“For diplomacy?” Britta pounded a fist on his chest but not so hard as to hurt herself. “This is bullshit, Nerx.”

“I know.” He glided his hands down her back to cup her bare backside. With a firm tug, he drew her into the cradle of his thighs.

“We’ve…um, gone from enemies to lovers within days.” She parted her mouth as she traced a path from his chin, down his throat, to his collarbone.

“You were never my enemy, ensa .” Maker. Now, she was his world.

“I do not wish to speak to you, female,” she said in a gruff voice.

He chuckled. “You did blind me.”

She sat up, pulling away from him. He frowned, hating to release her.

She crossed her legs, shuffling on her backside until her knees brushed his chest. With her soft hands, she cupped his face, her thumbs an inch from his mouth, only to peer into his eyes.

“And look, all good.” She smiled as she leaned forward to place the tiniest kiss on the tip of his nose.

“Thanks to Aldur.” He caught her stray curl and toyed with it, spiraling it around a finger. “What would you do if you were the supreme commander?”

She narrowed her eyes in thought. “I’d be the guns-blazing-get-everyone-killed kind of leader.

For me, actions speak louder than words.

Sad? Let’s cheer you up. Happy? We can find something to celebrate, even if it’s just getting out of bed.

Tired? Take a nap while I do your chores.

Angry? Let’s punch pillows, a boxing bag, or an ex-lover.

” She traced his eyebrows, his cheekbones, then his jawline, to pinch his earlobes.

“This…kidnapping? It’s taking everything in me not to lose my shit.

Not to demand you and I port across. Give me a blaster and maybe some armor, just to be safe.

” She released a jagged breath. “News that she’s well helped.

I can bide my time. If Haiz doesn’t come through, though, expect some hollering and a full-out tantrum from me. ”

He laughed, throwing his head back to do so. It was so damn good to give into the joy and vibrant emotions flooding him, to not care about the void. “My thanks for the forewarning.”

“Now, do you want to sleep or fuck?”

His breath hitched, and his fingers dug into the soft flesh of her hips. “Do not speak so for I must indeed rest.”

Her lips twitched into a sweet smile. “You choose sleep above me?” She faked a pout, then grinned and slid down to press her body against his. With her head on his upper arm, she met his gaze. “Night, Nerxie. Sweet dreams.”

He brushed his mouth across hers. “Rest well, ensa .” He pretended to sleep, even as his hearing narrowed on her breathing until it slowed.

When he was sure she wouldn’t catch him, he gazed upon her face.

Without her eyes distracting him, he could spend as much time as he liked on every feature from her cheek spots to her nose and the black brows like paint smears across her forehead.

He drew her closer, once again content to hold her. He hadn’t lied, needing to rest. Forcing his eyes closed, he willed himself to sleep. He jerked a moment later to find Lily scrambling over him. Exhaustion pounded at him, with a harsh word forming on his tongue.

“Morning, Nerxie and Britt.” She squeezed between them, squirming to fit and get comfortable.

Morning? He swallowed at almost hurting her fragile spirit.

“Hey, pumpkin,” Britta said, dropping a kiss on Lily’s cheek. “How’d you sleep?”

“Good.” She beamed. “I’m hungry.”

“Same.” Britta hummed. “I could do with French toast. Maybe with bacon and melted cheese?”

“Oh,” Lily squealed, tossed aside the blanket to climb over Nerx as if he was nothing but a lump in her way.

Britta smiled at him. “And you?”

“I will try this French toast.”

“No, silly, how’d you sleep?” She splayed her fingers across his chest, her touch sparking a malehood twitch.

“Silly?” He widened his eyes.

“Sorry, honeybunch .” She pressed a kiss to his chin then crawled over him like Lily had done.

He caught and tucked her beneath him, just how he liked it. She laughed and writhed, pushing at his chest as if she could lift him. Her face was close enough for her breath to warm his chin. The longer he drowned in her eyes, the more her humor faded.

When he had her full attention, he kissed her, tilting his head to slant his mouth across hers, to thrust his tongue in to duel.

She parried him without hesitation, digging her fingers into his hair.

Her heartbeat thundered in his ears. When the pitter-patter of Lily’s approach broke the kiss, he rested his temple on Britta’s while he fought for air.

“Ready,” Lily called, bending to peer at them both.

“Go find Uncle Ziot or Uncle Edon. Nerxie and Britta need a cleanse.” He leaned to the side to smack a loud kiss on Lily’s cheek. She giggled and danced off. “And save some French toast for us.”

“Okay dokey.” The door shut on her skipping along the passage.

“I thought you said I don’t stink?” Britta sniffed herself. “Or do you want some alone time?” She wiggled her eyebrows in a way his O.D.I. couldn’t explain.

“What does that mean?”

She jerked back, and her mouth parted on a gasp. “Alone-time?” Her cheeks flushed peach. “Um, when you’re aroused—”

“No,” he chuckled, “the thing you do with your eyebrows.”

“Oh.” She bit her lip. “It’s usually tied to a sexual implication.”

Realizing what she meant, he laughed. “Ah, time alone for me to attend to my daily chore.”

She frowned. “And that is?”

“A morning fulfilment.” He slid off her and offered her his hand.

“Like masturbation?” The moment she accepted it, he scooped her into his arms and carried her into the cleansing room. “I have legs, y’know,” was all she said even as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I like holding you, ensa . It brings me joy.”