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Half an hour later, he groaned. “It can’t be.

There’s no way that the receptionist did this by accident.

What a load of faal shit,” he cursed. Reluctantly, he walked back to the cabin assigned to Nell.

He knocked. Nell opened the door, eyes questioning.

“Nell, I think they made a mistake.” Nell tilted her head.

“Can I try something?” he asked. She nodded. “Shut the door for a second, please.”

He let the door close with a click before counting to ten.

Then he pressed his entry key to the panel against the door.

It hissed open. “This can’t be right,” Maklr murmured.

“Let me try again.” Maklr’s horns elongated.

He forced himself to remain calm so as not to scare Nell.

He pressed his entry key to the panel again.

The door opened a second time. “There must have been a mistake.”

“What?” Nell whispered.

“Let me go back and fix it. I’m sure they gave me the wrong key.

” Maklr tried to keep his voice neutral.

“I think the receptionist gave me a duplicate key for your room,” he said.

“It’s got to be a mistake. When I come back, I’ll knock to let you know what happened.

” Used to Nell not responding, he continued.

“Would you mind if I left my bag here?” he asked.

Nell reached and took his bag, placing it inside the door.

“I’ll be back shortly,” he said. He turned and walked with a purpose toward the main building.

While she waited for Maklr to return, Nell puttered around the small cabin unpacking her two bags.

She kept glancing at the bathroom waiting to take a shower until she was sure she was alone and could lock every door possible.

Satisfied all her belongings were within easy grasp should she need to escape she had just stepped into the kitchenette to cook a meal, when someone knocked on the door.

“It’s Maklr,” he called. Nell opened the door.

Nell stared at him, unblinking. “Fixed?”

“Not quite. Nell, this is the last thing I wanted to tell you, but this is the last cabin they have. If you’d let me in, I’ll comm Charlotte and Bavrilz, have them come get me. Zand might have access to a conveyance.”

Frustrated, Maklr fumbled with his tablet, taking a few tries to dial a communication code while Nell sat at the table, waiting. “Charlotte?”

“Mak? Why are you calling? You’re supposed to be on vacation.”

“There’s a bit of a situation.”

“Situation? Is Nell all right?”

“She’s fine. It’s not that.” Maklr explained the resort’s room mix-up. “What am I supposed to do?”

“Stay there?” Charlotte sounded confused.

“Charlie, you don’t understand. I can’t do this to Nell. I can’t stay here with her. She doesn’t feel safe.”

“Well, there’s nothing I can do, Mak. I’m a continent away,” Charlotte said. “I finished rounds and I’m headed out for my own version of rest and relaxation.”

“What about Navil and Ivy?” Nell chewed on her lower lip.

“I’m sorry, they’re visiting Navil’s family.” Charlotte paused.

A deep male voice, ringing with laughter, called her name. “There he is now,” Charlotte said. “I’m on my way,” she called to the unknown male. “Seriously Maklr, things have a way of working out,” she said before hanging up.

Maklr’s hands shook. He sat at the wooden table staring at his communicator. “I know. Let me try Bavrilz.”

Bavrilz’s rich voice filled the dining area. He listened quietly while Maklr explained the situation. “You’re on mandatory leave. I can’t get you out of there.”

“You’re a commander,” Maklr protested.

“True. But you don’t report to me anymore, not since you resigned from the fleet.”

Maklr groaned in frustration. Nell slid a bowl of soup in front of him. He looked up from the tablet, smiling gratefully. “Thank you,” he said. “Let me try Zand.” Maklr pushed in another code. “Stars, he’s blocked my comm code.” Nell motioned to the soup. “Okay I'll eat and think. Thank you.”

Once finished, Maklr took the bowl to the sink and washed it. He paced the kitchen. “Who else do I know who can pilot a conveyance? Navil? Philtan?”

“Hey, Phil? It’s Mak.” He frowned at the feminine laughter in the background of the call.

“Sorry, friend. I’m a bit preoccupied. Now is not a good time.” Philtan ended the communication.

Nell punched in a code on her tablet. “Navil, Maklr has a problem.”

“Is that Nell?” Ivy jostled the tablet from her mate. “How are you?”

Maklr answered, telling them his tale. “Unfortunately, we can’t help you,” Navil said. “We’re with my family, and you know what they’re like.”

“Who knows. Maybe it’ll be good for both of you.” Ivy’s voice sounded sympathetic.

“Was this your plan?” Nell asked quietly to Ivy.

“Plan?” Ivy sounded incredulous. “No. Give it a week.”

“No.” Nell shook her head. “I can’t.

“Wait, you want me to stay with Nell in a one bedroom tiny cabin for a week? Absolutely not,” Maklr fumed. He kept his temper under control for Nell’s sake.

“Give it a week, Nell. If you can’t, I’ll personally come and get you, that’s the earliest I can make it out,” Navil said.

“Listen, Nell, I know you can do this. It’s Maklr. He won’t hurt you. You know him.”

Nell sucked in a deep breath, heart pounding. She wiped her clammy hands against her pants. “Okay,” she whispered, hanging up on Ivy and Navil.

Maklr’s eyes widened. “Are you sure? I can sleep outside.”

“No. I’d feel safer with you inside the house.”

“I’m sorry if my anger before upset you. It wasn’t my intention.”

“I know,” Nell whispered. She opened a built-in closet in the wall, pulling out a set of sheets, dropping them on the couch. She removed the cushions to set up a bed.

Maklr shook his head. “What are you doing?” Nell pointed at the sheets. “Are you planning on sleeping on the couch?” She nodded. “No, I’ll take the couch.”

“I’m smaller.”

“No, it is only right. A female’s comfort is paramount,” Maklr said.

“All right,” Nell said, her voice soft. She stood in the doorway to the bedroom. The intricately carved orange wood door shut with a click. “Thank you.”