Page 31 of Stolen Fire (N.O.A.H (Nostradamus Outerspace Advancement of Humanity) #2)

It had been over a galactic week since Cifer had been alone with Blaize.

She’d been successfully avoiding him. He lingered in an alcove in the corridor, letting himself blend into the wall, hoping to catch sight of the female who had burned herself into his heart.

Aside from a few meals shared with the entire crew where she had barely said two words to him, nothing.

She’d ghosted him. It was a tribute to her ingenuity that she could hide so well when they were limited to the expanse of one spaceship.

Granted, the ship was large, but it wasn’t a space station.

For most of his life, he’d been reacting to the fact that he’d been abducted from his home planet by pirates.

And to stay alive, he’d done horrible things.

His past made him a bad guy, but he didn’t feel like a horrible person.

The crimes he’d committed were about survival.

As soon as he could, he liberated himself from Master Corvus.

Too bad it wasn’t before he’d witnessed Master kill someone.

No matter how much time had passed or the fact it hadn’t been by his hand, that life would always weigh on his conscience.

That life was the reason he’d worked so hard to free himself from Master’s mercies.

He spent most of his credits taking care of other kids like him so they didn’t get caught in a situation like he had.

Even the jobs he took were focused on righting wrongs.

Like breaking into the Kolben Mining Corporate offices to steal the orb.

Or pretending to be a flesh peddler to get kids out of the market.

They would be landing soon on the planet Din’ Gale.

Dez’s home. Maybe he could find a moment to be alone with Blaize.

Cifer had so much he needed to say. An apology for leaving after their supernova night together was only the start of the list. And he owed her a thank-you for saving his life, because if she hadn’t saved him from Varik’s cage, he could have already been sold.

A flash of red caught his attention. Was Blaize tiptoeing through the corridor? He laughed loudly, unable to hold back, and stepped into her path. “Avoiding me, Beauty?”

She jumped a foot into the air and squealed. “You scared me.”

“And you never walk softly. What’s up?”

“Nothing.” She put her head down and tried to stomp around him, but he moved to block her.

“I want to talk to you.”

“There’s nothing you have to say that I need to hear.”

“I disagree.” Cifer shuddered out a breath, searching for the right words. This conversation was critical. “Let me explain. Apologize.”

“I have a ship to run. You’re a guest. Why don’t you go find some entertainment and relax?” She dodged around him and ran down the hall.

“This isn’t done,” he called after her. The fact that she was afraid enough to run meant her feelings were just as strong as his. If she felt nothing, she wouldn’t have to avoid him. He smiled for the first time since their night together. He could outwait her.

They were meant to be together. Apart, they were both unhappy. And the longing kept him up at night. If he believed begging had any chance of working at all, he’d be on his knees outside her door. That wouldn’t work. He was determined to figure out what would.

He headed in the opposite direction from where she’d gone. A workout might release some of his frustration. He paused on the way, picking up a washer peeking out from the seam of the passageway and tucking it into his pocket.

Cifer pressed his face to the portal as they broke through the cloud cover, and he had his first in-person look at the planet Dez had called home, Din’ Gale.

It called to the place in his soul that remembered anything about his home planet.

It was lush and green. There was a clearing for their pod to land and a stunning octagonal building with the spaceport controls and crew.

The wood and glass structure seemed to grow from the landscape.

“It’s beautiful, is it not?” Dez’s voice broke through Cifer’s trip to the past. They were the only two not on the bridge.

“How did you ever leave?”

“Love,” Dez replied, like it was the most obvious answer.

It was. Probably the only answer, aside from being stolen away, that could’ve made any sense. Cifer didn’t know Dez’s story, but his love for the captain was obvious.

“Wait until you see the land around my family’s home. This will pale in comparison.”

Cifer nodded, unable to form words that wouldn’t betray his emotions.

As soon as the ship landed, Cifer followed Dez to the ramp out of the ship. The same ramp Cifer had used to sneak onto The Treasure on a completely different planet.

He glanced over his shoulder for Blaize. He wanted to share the experience of Din’ Gale with her, to see what she thought. It was her second trip to the planet, but surely she remained impressed. Her eyes were on his, and the corners of her mouth quirked up before she quickly looked away.

Cifer walked with the crew across the tarmac and into the window-laden building.

“Dez!” A small woman with lighter coloring than Dez and deep-red markings darted across the open floor plan in the spaceport, her long black hair flowing behind her as she launched herself.

Dez caught her one-handed easily, his stump stuffed in his pants pocket.

Cyra, holding Princess on a lead, was smiling widely, giving them plenty of room.

“My sister, how are you?” He kissed her cheek before setting her back on the floor.

Another man, not quite as big as Dez, but bald and with similar dark markings, stepped forward, wrapping his arm around Dez’s sister and putting his hand out in greeting to Dez.

Cifer wasn’t sure who this probable brother-in-law was, but based on the jewels and fine fabrics, Dez’s sister had married well.

“Your Highness, greetings,” Dez said formally as they grasped each other. Dez then introduced Cifer to the prince and his sister, as well as his mother, Azhume, and father, Daymuhnd.

Cifer wasn’t sure how to act around a family. He observed the others and tried to blend in. Cyra was obviously well loved by the family, although according to what Veda had told him, this was only her second visit, and the first one had been to transport Dez to Kolben.

Daymuhnd’s face settled into a grim mask. “Show us.”

Dez stiffened at his father’s command. Azhume gripped her husband’s arm and stared at her son.

“It’s not a big deal.” Dez stepped back.

“Brother. You lost your hand,” his sister exclaimed.

“An appendage. Not my life.”

“But I’m the cause.” Tears filled his sister’s eyes.

Cyra shifted closer to Dez.

“That is not true. A man with a bomb was the cause. I’m honored to have protected my mate and her crew. This could have just as easily happened here in a farming accident.” Dez removed his arm from his pocket. “I’m perfectly fine. Able to function in all ways.”

“Dez and I are looking into options. Fine-motor robotics are incredibly sophisticated. With the right doctors…” Cyra trailed off.

Dez squeezed her in a one-armed embrace.

“You will allow me to help with the cost.” The prince’s tone was a royal edict.

“Your kind offer is most welcome,” Cyra replied before Dez could open his mouth.

Azhume stepped into the gap between the residents and the visitors. She held out her arm and addressed Cifer. “Come. You must dine with us. We are celebrating.”

“What are we celebrating this time?” Dez asked with a hint of laughter in his voice.

“Your freedom, your mating, your survival, your new friend.” She gave a warm smile to Cifer.

He hoped Dez’s father didn’t take offense. He might be older than Cifer, but he was huge. Cifer checked over Azhume’s head. Her male laughed, clearly at ease with his family’s antics. Cifer followed the tiny gray woman.

The meal was unlike anything Cifer had experienced in his life.

Not even dim memories from his childhood could compete.

The dishes were fresh, the flavors unfamiliar and yet so incredible.

He’d had to make an effort to participate in the conversation instead of focusing solely on the food.

At the point he couldn’t eat another bite, he glanced around the table, unsure who his host was—Dez’s parents or the Prince and Princess.

Didn’t matter. “Thank you for this delicious meal. Incredible flavors and such bounty.” It occurred to him he was dining with royalty. “Does everyone eat like this?”

The prince wiped his hands and placed his napkin next to his own empty plate. “The farmlands on the far side of the planet are quite fertile, and the terrain is more conducive to farming than these rocky lands.”

Cifer had been impressed with the rocky peaks and waterfalls as they’d traveled from the spaceport to the royal homes. But as beautiful as the land was, it wasn’t farmable. At least not easily. Veda could probably figure out a way to do it.

The prince had leaned over his wife to speak to Dez. “In fact, the crops have been so successful this year, I would like to discuss another shipment.”

“Of course. Cifer, will you join us?” Dez asked.

Shocked, he stood when the prince and Dez did, and they excused themselves from the remainder of the group. The males led him back to a lavish office, lined with books and comfortable chairs in addition to the mandatory work desk.

The prince poured three glasses of a blue-green liquid that looked as potent as it smelled.

Cifer didn’t often drink, but he recognized the requirement in this situation.

It seemed there was going to be a business discussion, and Dez had told him earlier that he wanted Cifer to help out in these dealings as part of his payment for travel to Hiargus. It was an easy trade.

“Dez, I’m unsure how to proceed. Your sister and I owe you so much. A debt that could never be repaid.”

“There is no debt, Your Highness.”

“It’s ridiculous for my brother to call me Your Highness. Please. Call me Cauhdin.”

Dez nodded with a slight tilt to show his neck.

“Where do you travel next?” The prince sipped his drink, a small sip.

Cifer did the same and nearly spit it across the room. It was sweet, but the flame that danced across his tongue made his nose tingle and his eyes water. Even the insides of his ears itched.

“It’s an acquired taste,” Dez said. He sipped from his own glass and closed his eyes as if he were enjoying the burning fuel. After a long moment, he replied to Cauhdin. “We’re traveling to Chalcanth. It is time for Cyra to visit her own family, and then we will embark for Hiargus.”

“Hiargus?” the prince snapped and sat up, leaning forward. “What demon possession would compel you to go all the way there?”

“It’s my fault, Your Highness. I have some business there.” Cifer didn’t want Dez to do all the talking for him.

“What kind of business are you in?”

“I am a retriever. I find things or, occasionally, beings, and bring them back.” It was the easiest explanation.

“Hmm. Interesting business. I can see the possibilities. But Hiargus?”

“It was a lucrative contract with a generous timeline.” Cifer lifted one shoulder in a shrug.

“Chalcanth has possibilities for produce delivery.” Dez changed the topic back to the original purpose, and Cifer could have kissed the male in relief. He didn’t like talking about his work, especially to royals and other official-type beings.

They continued their discussion. Cifer was given the task of determining a fair price for their goods and of reaching out to wholesalers who could offload the merchandise quickly. Dez didn’t seem to want to be involved at all.

“I’ll make those calls as soon as possible.” Cifer had an old contact on the water planet, but it had been a while since they’d spoken.

“Don’t rush. We have time. Enjoy the rest of your time here.”

Cifer wasn’t going to waste a minute of enjoying Din’ Gale. If the calls could wait, he could go exploring and ruminate on how to convince Blaize to give him another chance. “I think I’ll get some air, then.”

“There is a path leading from the back lower level. If you follow it toward the woods, it will take you to one of my favorite places. I would guide you, but I must find my mate.” Dez wobbled the tiniest bit when he stood.

Cifer continued down the stairs while Dez went in search of Cyra.

The air outside was moist and rich with the sounds of insects and birds.

It was beautiful. It could only have been better if Blaize were with him.

Maybe before they left for Chalcanth, they could spend some time together outdoors.

She had told him she didn’t go out in the sun much, and he could understand that, given her fair skin, but this path was heavily shaded.

Lost in his thoughts and the landscape, he wasn’t sure how long he’d been walking when he froze, his breath leaving him in a gust of longing.

Blaize, posed in front of the most beautiful waterfall he’d ever seen.

It would have been stunning without her—the height, the rocks framing the water, jutting into it to cause pronounced cascades on top of the base.

The sunlight caught the sprays and made them sparkle and come alive with color.

But there was no color more breathtaking than his female, her hair looking like flames in the sunlight.

A noise, possibly the pounding of his heart, made her look back over her shoulder.

“Blaize.” The word escaped with the intensity of all the time he’d spent aching for her, all the explanations and apologies she hadn’t accepted.

“What are you doing here?” She whipped around and clutched her sides protectively.

“I didn’t know you’d be here, but I’m glad you are.

” He approached her slowly, as if she were a dangerous, injured beast who might strike at any moment.

“I have so much I want to say. I miss you so much. Miss talking with you. Working with you. Kissing you.” He tilted his head toward her, a breath of space between their lips.