Page 59

Chapter

Fifty-Nine

Morgan

I wrapped the plush white towel tightly around my body, securing it just above my chest. After the emotional whirlwind of the past few hours, I desperately needed a shower to clear my head.

The bathroom was almost obscenely opulent, especially compared to my utilitarian one at the academy, and I knew I’d miss it when I was gone.

Steam had already begun to curl from the shower enclosure when I heard a noise behind me. The soft thud was followed by purposeful footsteps, and I whirled around, clutching my towel. I yelped as a familiar figure stomped inside from the balcony doors.

"Tivek!" I sputtered, shock quickly giving way to outrage. "What are you—? Why are you—?“ I gestured wildly with my free hand while the other maintained a death grip on my towel. "You can't just sneak into my room!"

He barely seemed to register my state of undress or my indignation. His normally composed features were tight with some emotion I couldn't immediately identify as he stalked around the room, peering under the bed and opening the wardrobe doors.

"Where is he?" he demanded, voice low and tense.

"Where is who?" I asked, exasperated and utterly confused. "I thought you were leaving for Earth!"

"The Taori," he snapped, checking behind the flowing drapery by the balcony.

I blinked, wondering if I'd somehow missed part of this conversation. "What Taori?" The absurdity of standing in nothing but a towel while a clearly agitated Drexian searched my suite for a nonexistent Taori wasn't lost on me. "Do you have a fever, or are you just insane?"

Tivek stopped his frantic search, turning to face me fully. His eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Are you trying to tell me you weren't looking for a wedding gown this morning because you're trying to forget me by marrying the Taori Zav?"

I stared at him, mouth actually hanging open. "I—you think—" I shook my head, unable to process the sheer ridiculousness of his accusation. "You are delusional," I finally managed. "Completely and utterly delusional."

His certainty wavered visibly.

"Serge asked for my opinion on gowns this morning," I explained, readjusting my towel.

“I know nothing about any Taori, and I'm certainly not marrying one!

" My voice cracked on the last words, emotion suddenly threatening to overtake me.

"And even if I were looking to 'forget you,'" I continued, the words tumbling out before I could stop them, "it wouldn't work.

Because if I couldn't have you, I don't want anyone. "

The admission hung in the air between us, and I couldn’t believe I’d just admitted what I’d gone to great lengths to hide.

Tivek's breathing slowed, his shoulders dropping as confusion and then embarrassment washed over his features. "You don't want the Taori?"

"There is no Taori!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in frustration before quickly grabbing my slipping towel. "Who told you all this nonsense?"

Tivek's expression morphed into one of mortification. "Reina," he admitted. "She came to my ship and said—" He broke off, realization dawning. "She lied."

It hit me then what Reina had done with her hasty exit earlier, and why she'd left me with Serge after I’d told her what had happened with Tivek. The pieces clicked into place, and despite everything, I felt laughter bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me.

"You think this is funny?" Tivek asked, his frown returning.

I couldn't help the laughter that spilled from me. "It's kind of funny," I managed between giggles, "that it took a scheming Vexling to make me realize that you actually care about me."

His expression softened, incredulity replacing anger. "How could you think I didn't?"

The question sobered me instantly. "I've spent my whole life being told never to sacrifice for a man.

My mother watched her potential evaporate when she quit her dreams for my father.

She made me promise I'd never do the same.

" I swallowed hard, meeting his gaze. "When I heard about the Earth position, I thought I was doing the right thing. For both of us."

"I never wanted you to sacrifice anything," Tivek said, taking a step toward me. "I'll give up the promotion instantly if it means you'll have me."

My throat tightened, emotion rising so quickly that all l I could do was nod as my eyes welled with tears.

"When you told me to go," he continued, his voice roughening, "I thought whatever I felt wasn't reciprocated. But the thought of leaving you behind—" He shook his head. "I've never felt so empty and adrift.”

He closed the distance between us, his hands coming up to cup my face. "I love you, Morgan. I think I have since the first moment I saw you. I know I did from the first time we kissed.”

A tear slipped down my cheek. "I couldn't bear the thought of the Academy without you," I confessed. “I was dreading going back without you.”

One of his arms encircled my waist, pulling me against the solid warmth of his chest. When his lips found mine, it was like coming home after being lost for too long. I surrendered to the kiss, my hands sliding up to tangle in his hair as my towel slipped, forgotten, to the floor.

Nothing existed in that moment but the two of us as our kiss deepened and swallowed our eager moans. That is, until a faint sound broke through my daze of desire.

We pulled apart, startled, to find Serge standing in the doorway, his mouth literally hanging open, eyes wide with shock.

"I—I just—" he stammered, his hair entirely pink. "I figured out…Reina’s… but apparently—" His eyes dipped briefly to my now-naked form pressed against Tivek before he slapped a hand over them. "Oh my!"

Reina appeared behind him, grabbing his arm and yanking him back from the doorway. "Sorry for the interruption!" she called cheerfully, giving us a little finger wave. "Tivek, I'm sorry if I might have given you the wrong impression earlier."

Tivek tilted his head at her. "You mean lying to me?"

Reina shrugged, unabashed. "All's fair in love and war, hon."

With that, she pulled Serge away, the door sliding shut behind them.

For a moment, Tivek and I just looked at each other. Then we then burst into laughter.

"I think," I said, making no move to retrieve my towel, "that we've been thoroughly manipulated by a matchmaking Vexling."

“And I think," Tivek said as he walked me backward toward the bed, "that I'm not at all sorry about it.”

His lips found mine again, and this time, there were no interruptions.