Page 220 of Galaxy Games Four-Book Box Set (Galaxy Games)

220

Three Little Words

M aya

I’m not so sure Anna was right about intercourse reducing the effects of machta . A’Dar and I sure faded fast since we left our cabin. Perhaps stress and exertion compound things. Between running all over the ship and several fatal fights, A’Dar and I would never have been able to continue without our brief interlude here on the pirate ship.

We’re both in our prime now. His latest “gift of essence,” as he called it, didn’t cause debilitating pain, thank goodness. I don’t think I grew another inch or developed any more fangs. My hand flies to my face to ensure I still don’t have tusks even though they are retractable, which was a huge surprise and relief. Whew!

I feel stronger, though, and there’s one other obvious change. I want to call him mate.

Although I’m no scientist, I kind of understand how the infusion of his alien DNA could affect my body. But how it’s affecting my thoughts? My desire to mark him, to own him? I don’t understand that. Nor can I fathom my need to affirm our marital status.

“Mate,” I whisper as I clean up in the refresher. Obviously, that wasn’t good enough, because I raise my voice and repeat it, “Mate.”

A’Dar is at the doorway in a heartbeat. His “What?” conveys his terror as he wonders if something is wrong.

“Nothing.” I press my lips together, forbidding myself to explain my new urges. As soon as I open my mouth enough to lick my lips, I blurt, “I just had to say it.”

We’re in the middle of the shitshow to end all shitshows. We could perish the moment we step out of this vessel. But here’s A’Dar, my mate , some primitive part of my mind corrects me, with the most interesting smile forming on that terrifying mouth of his.

It starts as almost a frown. Startled, I would call it. Then the edges of his mouth tip up and his smile broadens from there.

He steps toward me, respectful and adoring, and captures me in his embrace.

“You just had to call me mate, little Maya?”

Despite our circumstances, I feel every muscle in his body stand down. As if hearing this from me is more of a relief than smiting our enemies.

“With every passing hour, I feel our souls entwine, my heart. To hear you call me mate is surely the best moment of my life. If I live one hundred more years, nothing could bring me more joy. Nothing.”

He leans back to gaze into my eyes. I could chalk this up to machta and biology, at least I could until a moment ago. This? This look is so serious, so full of adoration. He cherishes me. I can’t deny how real it is.

He cups my cheek and says, “I love you,” with all the passion that can be crammed into three little words.

Although I can’t say it back—not yet—I allow it to seep through my skin, warm my heart, and invade my soul.

Pressing my hand over his, I turn my head and press my lips to his palm.

“We should go,” I say reluctantly. “We have a ship full of people to dispatch.”

Yep. That certainly killed the mood.

We touch base with Mel and Ran. They have nothing new to report. In this case, no news is not good news. With every passing minute that Ran can’t hail Xenon, hope spools farther out of A’Dar’s soul. I shouldn’t be surprised that I can feel him now. His deeply felt emotions bleed to me. I like his affection far better than the whiffs of despair that leak through him at times like this.

We gather the weapons he chose earlier, and by the time we emerge from the cabin where we had our interlude, we each look like something out of Rambo, our shoulders laden with weapons as we prepare to take on our enemies.

“No one else can get into the pirate ship?” I ask. “They won’t be able to open the door and have access to working weapons of their own?”

“Only you and I know the password, my heart,” he says with a secret smile. I’m certain it’s because the password is my name.

Since we’re the only ones who know the code, we spend a few moments putting more guns on chargers. “In case we need more,” A’Dar said. Dear Lord, I can’t imagine what circumstance would lead to that.

We grab a look at my computer pad. 18 males and only 9 females left. After the cockroaches, the shaggy blue, and the two females in the stairwell, I won’t underestimate the females, but I’m really worried about the males.

Perhaps I shouldn’t be. We’ve got working weapons now. At least I hope we do.