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G rulen opened his eyes when Morgan left the bed.

Naked, she padded to the sanitary facility.

It wasn’t long before he heard water running while she brushed her teeth.

His hand lazily tugged on his morning erection as he relived the previous evening.

His ciebala’s passion made him feel like he was twelve feet tall.

He smiled at her when she crawled back into bed and kissed him.

“It’s another good morning,” she teased.

“It always is with you.” His fingers combed her hair from her eyes. “Did you sleep well?”

“Like a rock.” Her nimble fingers circled his nipple.

“Vixen. Are you trying to entice me?”

She arched an eyebrow and pointedly looked down at his erection.

“I think you’re already enticed.”

They both laughed. Releasing his cock, he hugged her.

“Thank you for last night.”

“No need to thank me. I benefited as much as you did.” She giggled.

His comm chimed and he growled.

“Why is it they interrupt us first thing? Can’t they wait a few hours?”

“Grumpy, grumpy. Just answer the comm. No video, please.”

“No one gets to see you like this but me.” Tapping his comm, he said, “Jevax.”

Rivezt said, “There’s someone who wants to meet with you. He’s been on the southern continent but returned last night.”

Grulen sighed.

“When and where?” His brows knit when Morgan mouthed something that looked like ‘day-ja vu.’ I’m not sure what she’s trying to say.

“We’ll bring midday meal with us.”

They coordinated a time and Jevax disconnected the comm.

“Now where were we?”

“Thinking about a shower?”

“No, that’s not what I was thinking.”

“Oh, what did you have in mind?” She squealed when he flipped her onto her back.

He slid lower on the bed before shifting to settle between her legs.

“I’m going to enjoy my morning meal.” His tongue flicked her clit and her hips jerked. “Behave and allow me to savor this delicacy.” He grinned and lowered his head.

“You have the best ideas.” Her fingers tunneled into his hair as he licked her.

I love the taste of her. Good thing I can take my time.

Sated and showered, they tidied up from the night before.

Having some time before their guest arrived, Grulen suggested she teach him another Earth card game.

The rules of Gin Rummy were similar to those of a Jalaxian one, even though the cards were different, so he learned it quickly.

Evenly matched, they tied after four games and were partway through the fifth when the door chimed.

She tossed her cards down.

“Guess we’ll have to finish this another time. I’ll go let them in.” Kissing him, she let her hand drift across his shoulders as if reluctant to leave.

He smiled and gathered the cards. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Rivezt and Lin followed by a human female with curly red hair and green eyes. Behind them was a large male with reddish bronze skin like his own and gray eyes.

His head spun and images flashed in his mind. Green crackers and water pouches. Black stone sculpted. Cookies. Shoulder slaps. A dusty planet. Looking down at a console and knowing the Zuvgran captured his teammate. Running for an escape pod.

Dizzy, he fell heavily onto a chair. His breaths accelerated and sweat formed on his brow. His vision dimmed and Morgan’s voice sounded far away.

“Grulen, are you okay?” He felt her hand on his shoulder. “Can you talk?”

More memories crowded in his brain. Names, places, events. Trembling, he gasped and dropped his head into his hands. His fingers tangled in his hair. He groaned as pain throbbed in his temples.

“I’m here, Grulen. You’re safe.” Her voice rose. “Who the fuck are you? What did you do to him where he would react like this?”

Clumsily, he reached for her hand, shaking his head as he squeezed her fingers.

“No, ciebala . It’s okay. Just give me a minute.” He forced the words out.

Tears gathered in his eyes as he recalled his mother and sisters. Thousands of emotions hit him simultaneously and he felt battered, body and soul.

When his brain finally settled into a semblance of normality and he could see again, he lifted his head. Rivezt lowered the scanner. Everyone but Morgan sat at the table. She stood behind him with her arms embracing his shoulders. He glanced up at her. Worried blue eyes gazed back at him.

“I’ll be fine, ciebala . It was just a great shock to my system. Please sit.”

She kissed his forehead and released him. He realized he was still holding her hand. He let it go so she could take her seat. Then he reached for the one closest to him and entwined his fingers with hers.

Squaring his shoulders, he faced their visitors.

“Morgan, this is Lieutenant Karid Wurvez and Lady Ava Taylor.”

“Ava Taylor Wurvez now, Jevax.” The redhead smiled at him. “Are you feeling better?”

“A headache and far too much information, but much better than a few minutes ago.”

“Wurvez, the last I saw you, the Zuvgran captured you. I knew we shouldn’t have split up.”

The large male’s gray eyes darkened.

“I’m glad you weren’t with me. No reason why both of us had to suffer at their hands.” A pained look crossed his face. “But it sounds like you didn’t have it easy either.”

“No.”

“Can you remember what happened?” Rivezt watched him intently.

“Am I allowed to speak about everything? The mission was classified.”

Wurvez nodded, his ponytail bobbing.

“Yes.”

“After I returned to the Tenacity , I immediately engaged the cloak, departed Millus, and headed for the asteroid field. I cursed you when I saw you’d been captured, but I knew I couldn’t rescue you on my own.

My plan was to contact the Invictus with the traitor’s name and arrange for assistance retrieving you.

Scans alerted me that two Zuvgran fighters left the planet and were coming my way.

I grabbed the bag of equipment we’d used, as well as some food and water, and took it all with me into the escape pod.

My intent was to hide in the shadow of a mid-size asteroid until the Zuvgran cancelled their search. ”

Morgan handed him a water pouch. Gratefully, he wet his dry mouth.

“Before I could reach my target, there was an explosion behind me which threw the pod forward into the rock. I’m assuming the Zuvgran somehow found the Tenacity despite the cloaking device and destroyed the ship.

I awoke to alarms blaring. I was sluggish.

I’m certain I had a concussion. I remember trying to fix the hull breaches with blood running down my face.

That’s the last I recall until I woke up on the Morning Star two weeks later. ”

“What made you think to lower the oxygen flow?” Rivezt asked.

“I didn’t. Or at least I don’t remember doing it. I know I passed out at some point.”

“You must’ve bumped it when you lost consciousness. The Goddess truly watched over you. I’m glad.” Wurvez grinned. “I’m still going to recommend you transfer to security. Of course, there’s still those computer courses so you can code a synthesizer.”

Morgan frowned.

“He can code a synthesizer already. I taught him.” That’s right. She did. But I used to find it all so confusing.

Wurvez eyebrows raised high.

“Really? Interesting.”

“What happened with the traitor?”

Wurvez growled.

“Pluvi Frulix is in custody. The male is insane. He murdered his nephew, Lerix Sproid, and doesn’t remember doing it. We found evidence that he was being brainwashed as well.”

“By whom?” Is there another traitor?

“Unknown.”

Grulen looked at Ava.

“Congratulations on your mating. You know he pined for you while we were on our mission. And he raved about your cookies.”

He wrinkled his nose in confusion when Morgan snickered.

“Is cookies an euphemism for something else?”

Ava giggled at Morgan’s question.

“I don’t think so, but with these guys you can’t always tell.” The human females smiled at each other. “I made food for midday meal.” She pointed at the units they’d placed on the edge of the table.

“Oh, that’s right. You’re the chef. I’d like to compare notes with you.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Grulen ate quietly and let the others carry the conversation.

He filtered through his memories and recalled he’d made a vow to himself to never take a mate.

His gaze settled on Morgan’s face as she chattered with the others.

His heart heavy, he realized he should extract himself from their romantic relationship to keep the promise to himself. He rubbed his chest over his heart.

I thought waiting until I knew if I had a female waiting for me was the only possible dishonor. But it seems I’ve behaved dishonorably anyway. Goddess, forgive me for the pain I will cause her.

After their guests left, Morgan cleaned up the dining area while Grulen sat in silence.

“Karid and Ava are a fun couple. Lin opened up more today.”

He nodded.

“How are you? It must be disorienting to experience forty-one years of memories in such a compressed time frame.”

He drew back when she placed a hand on his face. Her frown pierced his heart.

“What’s wrong, Grulen?”

“Morgan, I think we should stop seeing each other.”

Shock filled her eyes.

“Why?”

He stood and paced. His tail flicked sideways repeatedly.

“My father was devastated after my mother and sisters died. All the adult males became shadows of themselves at the loss of their mates. It was solars before things got better.”

“That’s understandable. They experienced an inordinate amount of loss in a short period. I imagine everyone was in shock and grieving. Usually, people have others who aren’t also grieving to help them through it. They didn’t have that luxury. I’m not sure what that has to do with us.”

“When I got older, I vowed never to take a mate. I never want to be in a similar position.”

“So you want to break up so you won’t feel grief or pain?” Her face fell.

“I want to keep my vow. It’s the honorable thing to do.”

“There’s nothing I can say or do to change your mind and give us a chance?”

“No.”

“You were a child.”

He shook his head. She inhaled a shuddering breath.

“I think you’re making a mistake. I guess I made one as well. I trusted you not to hurt me.” She walked out of the room.

Crek.