Page 16 of Stealing the Star Stone

Chapter Eleven

Laurus Research Vessel

Never dine with a snake.

Day One.

“You do understand this will not be a common occurrence for you, Blake,” Orien was saying, a brandy snifter in hand. Behind him was a wall of space, a few stars ‘shooting’ past as the ship traveled. “Dining with me is an honor and not so frivolously bestowed.”

Thank the Lord for small mercies. Maintaining politeness in the face of this man’s audacity was taking all of Eli’s acting skills. “We’d like to keep ourselves busy: books, games, a television.” If Nova insisted on staying platonic, Eli would go insane with nothing to do.

He gazed at her across the dining table lavishly adorned with various dishes and treats.

In a black buttoned-up shirt paired with jeans, she’d made him look good, even braided his hair to the side.

He was starting to not see himself but the woman behind the eyes.

Kiss her? Yeah, he craved to do that, a steady burning in his core urging him to take the chance. To taste those lips.

He’d be on top, riding her. Or would she show a little dominance in the bedroom now that she was…bigger?

“What do you think, Blake?” Orien asked, arching a brow at who he thought was Nova. The fact that the man had yet to figure out something supernatural had happened said much about his intelligence.

“I’m sorry, Orien. Forgive me. This day has been…trying.” That was as polite as Eli would play Nova.

“I said, as a pilot, you’d know whether we’re making good time.”

Eli glanced at the scenery and hazarded a guess when his piloting experience wasn’t as extensive as Nova’s. Nor had he flown this route before. “Yes, we are. How far from Artivar is Lethara?”

“Five hours,” Orien said, staring into his brandy. “We have a day or so before we reach Artivar.” He met Eli’s gaze. “Where the law will be waiting.”

He froze, casting a glance at Nova before glaring at Orien. “What? Why?”

“For destruction of property. Or did you think you were going to get away with what you’ve done?”

Eli pushed off the table. “Then why pretend to be civil? And you can fucking forget about any more tests. I should sue your ass for—”

“Nova, honey pot,” Nova crooned despite the fire in her eyes.

“No, this bullshit is kidnapping. A galactic offence. Which this asshole has done to us both .” He pointed a finger at Orien, whose cheeks had flushed.

“He lies to our faces. Here I thought we’d find another stone together.

But no, he has to torture us, too.” Eli swept a hand along the wound on his forearm.

“Vex, please, put our minds at ease. Why the impending arrest?” she asked between sips of champagne. Her ‘calm’ didn’t travel to her tense posture.

“Yes,” Eli snapped, anger rising. “Didn’t you want me near the stone when you find it?”

“There are no more stones,” Orien snapped, losing his cool for a moment. “That’s a fool’s dream. It took me years to find this one.”

Eli sank into the chair, chills racing down his spine. “What?” he squeaked.

Nova met his gaze, fear twisting her features. We’re stuck like this? was in her expression.

“Escorting you two to Artivar allows me the chance to run a few harmless tests.” Orien waved his empty glass for a refill, which a server hurried to do. “Regardless, Blake did break my stone. Justice needs to be served.”

“Served? When you probably stole it from the natives? Where’s their justice?” Eli demanded.

Orien shrugged. “Part of archeology.”

“Stealing?” she asked, at last joining the argument.

“Discovering cultures and their artefacts, and educating our species about our galaxy.”

“At the expense of said culture? How did they feel about you helping yourself to their stuff?” She folded her arms across her chest. “I bet that star stone was sacred to them.”

“The survival of the strongest.” Orien hummed on a sip of champagne. “Been true for millions of years.”

She met Eli’s gaze, helplessness tugging her lips into a pout. “I…can’t afford bad publicity, Vex,” she managed to say. “Not only will it impact my reputation, but it would make garnering benefactors for you a harder.”

“I know, which is why station-sec will be meeting us in orbit. Fewer people to witness her arrest.” He beamed, so proud of himself. “Then you and I, Eli, will enjoy your premiere.”

At his nonchalance, they both rose, leaving the asshole to his dinner.

“Not interested in dessert?” His chuckle followed them out.

In silence, Frederik led them to their ‘cell.’ The heaviness of their situation continued after he left them alone.

Eli readied for bed, slipping into that T-shirt he’d set aside earlier.

He sat on the edge of a couch, sipping water while Nova used the bathroom.

When she emerged, she marched past him to the tea station.

Sitting beside him, cradling her precious Lady Grey, she mumbled, “What are we going to do, Thorne?”

“We find our own stone,” he said, though how, he couldn’t say.

She’d been right to suggest they steal a shuttle.

Hell, if they made it to Artivar, he’d charter a ship.

They’d probably need supplies, too. When he’d starred in The Lost Moons of Andara , deep in the last jungles of the Amazon, the entourage had been extensive, taking care of the tents and catering.

Heading to an unknown planet without planning would be suicide.

But with no means of communication, he couldn’t prepare anything.

Nova snorted, dragging him back to reality. “We’ll be lucky to make Artivar. We can’t trust a word that asshole says.”

“I know.” He stood and abandoned his half-drunk water. “Bedtime for me.”

“I’ll sleep here.” She eyed the too-short couch.

“We’ll share, woman,” he said. “The bed’s big enough that we won’t even touch.”

She eyed it in silence then set down her tea cup and marched to the left side.

A sense of the space consumed him as if he knew the exact amount she took up…

with his body. Her back to him didn’t detract from her comforting presence.

He slid between the sheets and stared at the door, tucking a hand under the pillow.

“You made me look good tonight,” she said, long after he thought she’d fallen asleep.

“Thanks,” he said. “We didn’t buy any cosmetics.”

“Or sleepwear for you.” She gasped, and the bed bounced as she rolled over. “Wait, you know how to apply make-up?”

He grinned and peeked at her over his shoulder. “Learned how in Alien in Lipstick .”

She winced. “Missed that one.”

“Yeah, got the Galactic Arts for that role.” A proud moment. Sadness coated his heart, that he couldn’t share this with her. But it was in the past, and perhaps a good role worthy of another nomination was in his near future. He faced her. “I like the way you did my hair.”

She stroked the braid. “I struggled. They cut off chunks.”

“Same,” he said.

“How’s your wound?” she asked.

“Healing…normally.” He smirked, but it faded. “Think we can do this?”

“We have no choice but to succeed.” She rubbed her nose across the pillow, hiding her expression. “This wasn’t on my bingo card for this year.”

He chuckled. “I didn’t see this one coming, either.” He ran his fingers from her cheek to the jawline.

She swatted his hand away. “Quit it. You know how much touching affects your…appendage.”

“It does?” He arched a brow.

She had no clue how to fight this attraction, blaming his body instead of her lack of control.

He smothered a smirk. Women didn’t need to worry about unexpected reactions to stimuli.

Her ignorance could be entertaining. He stilled.

Since meeting her, he had to admit, he hadn’t been bored, even with nothing to do in the cabin.

Sure, he’d spent the time she was away doing a little exercise, but his mind had been active, trying to figure a way out of this while not worrying about what they were doing to her.

He’d like to have said his concern had to do with her inhabiting his body, and for now, he’d pretend that was the case.

She harumphed and offered him her back.

He smiled, wishing he could pull her closer. But he couldn’t be the big spoon, and a cuddle from her was less likely to happen than Orien setting them free. “Night,” he whispered.

She said nothing.

Laurus Research Vessel

A man’s body is a minefield!

Day Two.

A scream snapped Eli’s eyes open, and he scrambled off the bed, spinning on the spot to challenge the intruder. No one was in the cabin with them, and the lighting had changed to that of the rising sun, mimicking morning. When his foggy brain cleared, he blinked at a shaken Nova.

“What the fuck is this?” she squeaked, gesturing to her crotch where an impressive hard-on projected prominently. “I didn’t touch it, I swear.” She waved her hands like her palms were innocent.

“Are you sure?” he teased, unable to help himself.

“I need to pee but have this incredible urge to fuck, too. How do you cope with this thing?”

“It’s morning wood.” He sank onto the edge of the bed, adrenaline no longer flooding his system. “It just means you’re desperate to piss. Head to the toilet, and be patient.”

She stomped past him, slamming the bathroom door behind her.

Her pink cheeks alone had lifted his mood. He chuckled.

“I can hear you,” she snapped. “This isn’t funny.”

It sure was. “Think about strangling Orien, and you’ll be good to go.”

A minute later, she was peeing like she’d been holding it in for days.

“Breakfast should be soon,” she said, her words a little muffled by a running tap as she washed her hands. “I’m starving.”

His stomach gurgled on cue. Dinner had been sparce before Orien showed his true colors, again.

He crossed the cabin to the closet and sifted through her outfits.

Taking off a woman’s underwear was done in the heat of the moment, but putting them on wasn’t turning out to be as much fun.

Admittedly, it had only been a day, but he’d changed clothes multiple times, including the shopping spree.

Nova was just lucky he had nimble fingers and vast experience.