Page 10 of Murgul
Leaning back in my chair, I snarl in frustration, baring my teeth at the ceiling above.
Frack!
Quiet steps move closer until I feel gentle, questioning fingers slide through my hair, lightly scratching my scalp. Tranquility fills me, and my frustration at the situation fades as my mate pets my hair in rhythmic motions, silently soothing me until I’ve relaxed back into my chair.
“They’ll be okay, Murgul.”
“Thank you. Your touch… it does more for me than you will ever know.”
Moving around to stand in front of me, she cups my face between her hands and smiles at me, warmth etched into her luminescent face.
“Touching you is no hardship.”
“I do not know how that could be. I own a reflective looking glass.”
“Hush. None of that. You will not degrade yourself, not to me. Do you understand?”
I nod begrudgingly.
“It will be as you say.”
“Good, I’m glad we got that cleared up. Now, show me what this fancy-looking stuff on these screens is. What exactly are you doing?”
Bikar is gawking. I can feel his eyes boring holes into the side of my head because Gwendolyn is talking to me as if we were having a running conversation… which we are. Just not out loud.
Did not think that all the way through, did you, fool?
Mentally smacking Vrog, I shove him back into his cage and refocus on my mate.
Our mate.
To my surprise and delight, she sits in my lap, wiggling around until she is comfortable, and I have to muffle my groan as her pert arse rubs against my seam. A secretive smile tilts the corner of her lush lips as she teases me a tic longer before settling against me. My tail slips up and wraps around her waist, pulling her tighter to me as I begin explaining what my duties on the Zenith consist of, and the current mission at hand.
Chapter Eight
GWENDOLYN
Somber faces fill the cafeteria—no,thedining hall—as I look around. Everyone is present, all Ruk and humans, to hear what Slavic has to say. Heather and Bambi are seated off to the side with Falon and Bikar while all the mated couples are settled together. Slavic, Ruarc, and Einar hadn’t been gone longer than several hours before they returned to the Zenith. During the interim, Murgul and I had spent an enjoyable time in what I now know is the helm room. It’s the place that Bikar stays for the most part, since it has the main comm system in it as well as the controls that pilot the ship. I was surprised that Murgul’s role involves so much technology, and I can’t help but be impressed.
My man is so much more than meets the eye.
It also didn’t escape my notice that Bikar was giving us perplexed, suspicious looks the entire time we were there. My best guess is he, as well as the others, have no clue that Murgul can speak into my mind. Since he didn’t say anything to anyone else about it, I haven’t either. There is a reason Murgul doesn’t want them to know, and I’m not going to start our relationship with strife because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.
Now, Slavic is slumped in his seat with Ruby leaning into his side, offering him what comfort she can as he brings us all up to speed.
“Brothers… there was nothing. The settlement is exactly where Kallen said it would be, but there are no traces of any life on the planet, and it appears it’s been that way for a long time. Possibly rotations. Kallen, do you have any idea how long you were held captive by the Velgriddix?”
Leaning around the dark bulk of Murgul’s body, I wait for Kallen’s response.
“I really do not know, Slavic. It was hard to keep track of time on that vile ship.” Her voice is full of frustration, and my heart goes out to her when a scoff catches everyone’s attention.
Ruarc has a sneer on his face as he barks out a condescending laugh before sneering in Kallen’s face. “How do you expect us to believe anything you are saying? It seems to me that you have done nothing but lead us on a fool’s errand!”
Chaos breaks out as Slavic, Einar, and Falon jump to their feet with outraged roars, talking over the top of each other in their anger.
“YOU… DARE!”
A chilling silence falls across the entire room at Murgul’s broken roar. Sinuously gaining his feet, he menacingly stalks across the room until he is looming over Ruarc, his tail whipping back and forth behind him, similar to an angry cat, and those deadly-looking claws have slipped from the ends of his fingers. Something about his countenance is…differentsomehow. I know it’s Murgul… but does he look bigger?