Page 27

T he time to travel to Arona passed quickly now that Niksen and Lollek spent time with the women.

With Niksen’s relationship with Krinir resolved to her satisfaction, Morgan realized she liked the Orkite’s true personality.

Funny, kind, and a good head on her shoulders made her beautiful inside and out.

I almost wish I could still hate her. When she was queen bitch, I didn’t feel jealous at all of her stunning looks.

But now, I wonder if Stalad regrets turning her down.

The females trained with the humans and taught the women defensive moves. The Orkites also asked Rain and Kara to teach them some of their human fighting techniques. Each learned more about each other’s species and cultural beliefs.

Sitting on the floor in the cargo bay on the mats, they drank from water pouches and talked.

“What is going on with you and Stalad? Have you taken him to your bed yet?”

Morgan’s eyes flew up to meet Lollek’s.

“Nothing. No. It’s as he said to Niksen. He doesn’t know if there is someone waiting for him, so he doesn’t want to pursue anything.”

“You know the male wants to do wonderfully dirty things with you, don’t you?” Niksen sighed. “If you’re lucky, he’ll be as talented as Krinir.”

“Stop.” Morgan tossed an empty water pouch at the Orkite. “It’s not like that.”

“Of course it is. As soon as he knows he’s single and free, he’ll be all over you like white on rice.” Kara waggled her eyebrows. “When that time comes, if you want to borrow some of the outfits I made for Rumaska, just let me know. I kept them for my own private time with Crax.”

“There’s definitely heat between you two.” Rain stretched her legs out in front of her and leaned back on her hands. “You have to respect the guy being honorable. What a difference from a lot of Earth men.”

Morgan picked at non-existent lint on her pants.

“I’m sure it’s just sexual attraction. He won’t want me long term. They never do. It’s worse now that I was a sex slave.”

“The right man won’t care about your past beyond how it affects you now. You had no choice but to survive any way you could.” Abby pinned her with a sharp look. “Stalad does not strike me as a male who would make you feel less because of it.”

“No, he never has. I just feel like we’re in limbo until he regains his memories. I care for him enough that I’m willing to risk that nothing will ever happen, but I just want to know one way or another.” I’m still not sure I’m worthy of him.

“What are you going to do about it?” Rain brought her knees to her chest and sat forward with her elbows resting on them.

“What can I do?”

“Push the issue.” Niksen’s tusks jutted out. “It worked for me…eventually.”

The ladies giggled.

“How?”

“Talk to Makai about heading to Costonia sooner rather than later. We reach Arona tomorrow and we have no jobs waiting. Sounds like a good time to take the detour.” Kara’s pink hair stood up after she combed her fingers through it.

“I agree with Kara. Time to rip the bandage off.” Abby finished her water pouch and folded into a small square.

“We’ll back you.” Rain’s forehead wrinkled. “Would you stay on Costonia with him while you figure it out? I’m not sure how long the Fortitude could remain there, especially if someone hires us.”

“Probably. Although I’d miss you guys a lot.” Morgan rubbed her palms on her thighs and sniffed. “The last few years I’ve had to say goodbye to too many friends.” I miss Sophia and Faith. I’ll miss these women, too.

“Hey, we’d stay in touch.” Kara held up her tablet. “As much as I enjoy having you around, I think if you could use your degree and teach, you’d feel more fulfilled. At the very least, you deserve the chance to find out if it’s right for you.”

“You’re our friend and we want you to find what makes you happiest,” Abby said with a gentle smile.

“This reminds me of the best female circles on Arona,” Niksen said. “Direct and supportive. Our species have more in common than I originally thought.”

Morgan grabbed the hanging silk next to her and twisted in her hands as she considered her options. The other females left her alone and talked quietly about other unimportant things. Finally, she huffed and released the fabric.

“I’ll go see Makai now.”

“Good for you,” Kara said. “Do you want backup?”

“Thanks, but no. I should do this on my own.” Morgan stood and dusted her hands off. “I can do this.”

“Of course you can. You’re a strong, independent female.” Niksen’s tusks jutted from her lower jaw as she grinned. “We have faith in you.”

“Thanks, everyone. Hopefully, this works out.” Morgan gave the ladies a smile before she left.

Words of encouragement followed her as she made her way to the bridge.

“Can I speak to you privately?”

Makai narrowed his eyes briefly then jerked his head toward his attached office. She kept her spine straight as they entered the room, and he sat in his chair. He motioned to another seat for her.

“What do you need to talk about, Morgan?”

“What are your plans for after Arona?”

“Why?”

“If we don’t have another mission, I think we should go to Costonia and help Stalad discover his memories.”

He leaned back and rubbed his chin between his thumb and forefinger.

“You think that is an effective usage of our time and resources? It’ll take us close to a week to reach Costonia.”

“I believe it’s the right thing to do.”

“If he’s willing, we could drop him off on Arona and he could find passage from there.”

“No! I mean, I don’t think that’s fair to him. He’s been an asset to the ship.” She hesitated. “However, if that’s what you think is best, then I’d like to disembark at Arona and go with him so he has a friendly face during his recovery.”

Makai stared at her before chuckling.

“I’m teasing, Morgan. I asked Stalad this morning if he felt it was time to go. He said yes. I instructed Yaz to calculate the shortest route.” He hesitated. “What are your plans once we’re there?”

“I’ll stay until he knows who he is. After that, I don’t know.”

“I’m not sure how long the Fortitude can remain at Costonia.”

“I understand you might have to leave without me. I expect I will be welcome back there. I did spend a year on the planet.”

“What if he has a mate? Are you prepared for that?” Kind blue eyes watched her closely.

Inhaling deeply, she said, “If that’s the situation, I’ll deal with it.” Her eyes watered. “I just need to know one way or another, Makai. Even if there is no one, it still might not work out between us. Until we know who he is and what his life is, everything is in flux.”

“You’ll always be welcome to join us, Morgan.” He reached across the desk and covered her hand with his.

“Thank you. I think we both knew I would leave eventually. My training doesn’t really fit with what the Wing Raiders can use.”

“You’ve become family. We take care of our own.” His fingers squeezed once before he drew his hand back.

Sniffing, she said, “I’m going to miss all of you.”

“We’ll miss you, too.” Humor lit his blue eyes. “Especially your cooking.”

A surprised laugh escaped her.

“Thanks. You’re all heart.”

He’s a really good male. I hope he finds his mate soon. He deserves it. Now if only things go the way I hope on Costonia.

Morgan said her goodbyes to the Orkites, hugging Niksen and Lollek tightly. They promised to stay in touch. She watched them board the transport with Lezon and Tren operating a maglev carrying their belongings. Makai accompanied the Orkites to receive final payment for the mission.

Stalad stood close to her.

“Could I ask a favor of you?”

She looked into his serious brown eyes.

“Yes.”

“Makai plans on contacting Costonia with me when he returns. Would you be there to support me? I admit I’m nervous.”

“I’d be happy to.” She rested her hand on his arm. “Whatever I can do to help.”

“Thank you.”

They waited on the bridge for Makai. Stalad’s tail occasionally snapped, then swayed. Hoping to calm him, she grasped it and held on. His eyes heated as she absently caressed it. Oops. Didn’t mean to do that.

“We’re ready to go. Once we leave orbit, open a secure channel to King Sovex,” said as he entered.

Both Yaz and Kara nodded at his orders.

“Comm link established,” said Kara not long afterwards.

“I’ll take it in my office. Stalad, with me.”

Morgan followed the males.

Makai tapped his desk console and an older Svesti appeared.

“Captain Makai, it is good to see you. I hope all is well with the Wing Raiders.”

“Xeliv, thank you for your kind welcome. You also look well. I am hoping to speak with King Sovex. I believe it is important.”

“Please wait while I see if he can take your comm now.”

Morgan almost giggled when a digital representation of a waterfall complete with sound replaced Xeliv’s image. Alien visual muzak. Who knew? Glad I emptied my bladder earlier. All that running water…

The hologram of King Sovex with a blonde human woman on his lap abruptly appeared.

“How may I help you today?” King Sovex looks happier than when I left. Good for him.

“I think I have something of yours,” Makai said.

“I’m sorry, what are you talking about?”

Stalad moved to stand next to Makai. The blonde gasped and leaned forward.

“Jevax? Is that you?”

Stalad looked at the human female as if trying to figure out who she was.

“Is that my name?”

The blonde’s eyebrows raised, but King Sovex responded.

“Your name is Grulen Jevax and you are a warrior in the Svesti military. We have been looking for you.” Grulen Jevax. His name is Grulen. It’s a strong name.

Grulen stared at the couple on Costonia.

“I don’t know you. I don’t even know who I am.”

Morgan snuck under his arm. Grulen rested it over her her shoulders and pulled her closer. She peered at the blonde suspiciously.

“How do you know him?”

“He’s my friend.”

“Is that all?”

The woman smiled.

“Yes, that’s all. I’m with him.” She motioned to King Sovex with her thumb.

“Good. Can you help Jevax?” Glad I remembered Svesti use last names in general company.

“Of course. Bring him home to Costonia,” said King Sovex. “By the way, it’s nice to see you again, Lady Morgan.”

“Thank you, King Sovex. We’ll be there shortly.” She reached across Makai and disconnected the comm.

“Don’t you think it was a bit rude to disconnect so abruptly from the King of Costonia?” Makai raised his eyebrows.

“I didn’t like the way she looked at Stalad…I mean Grulen.”

Both males chuckled.

“It appeared she was quite happy on the king’s lap.” Grulen tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Maybe so, but it’s already done.” Morgan shrugged and felt her cheeks heat up. God, I can’t believe I was jealous that she knows him. I’m a mess.

“Well, he’s sending an encrypted message asking where we are and when we’ll be planetside.” Makai looked up from his comm and shook his head, his braids brushing his shoulders. “Go on. Get out and I’ll answer him.”

They walked side by side down the corridor to the kitchen.

“Does your real name jog any memories for you?” Morgan glanced up at him.

“No. And before you ask, the human didn’t seem familiar other than I immediately thought ‘warrior’ but without any context or memories.”

“Hmm. Okay.”

In the kitchen, Morgan pulled out a leringa pie and sliced servings for each of them.

“Are you ready to find out who you really are?”

“Yes and no. According to the king, I’m a warrior.”

“We kinda figured that out already.”

“You probably have family and friends waiting for you. King Sovex said they’d been looking for you.”

“That’s what I’m worried about. What if I don’t remember anything?”

“Costonia has great mind healers. I’m sure they’ll help.” She chewed a bite of pie, swallowed, then said, “If you want, I’ll be with you as you figure it all out.”

He frowned and his tail stiffened.

“Until the Fortitude leaves and who knows when that will be.”

“No, I’m staying on Costonia for a while unless you have a mate who can be there for you.” Her teeth dug into her lip. “Unless you don’t want me around.”

“ Ciebala , I hope you stay.” His eyebrows drew together, and his lips hid his fangs. “Although if I have a mate, then perhaps it’s best if you leave. It would be too painful for both of us.”

“No sense worrying too much about it yet.”

His hand cupped her jaw, and he rested his forehead on hers.

“Whatever happens, please know how much I’ve enjoyed every moment with you.”

Her eyes teared up.

“Don’t say it like that. Like you’re already saying goodbye.”

Their breaths mixed. His scent enveloped her, and she shivered.

“No goodbyes, ciebala .”