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Chapter Twenty-Six

Wren awoke to an empty bed. At first, she raised her head to listen.

Nothing audible or mental reached her. Regardless, she followed her morning ritual of ‘thickening’ her door.

She’d opened it when Ariez had shown her to her quarters in the medical building.

The painful cacophony of thoughts not her own had crumpled her to the floor.

While curled into a ball, he’d carried her to the pools.

As grateful as she’d been for the isolation, it meant she couldn’t see or speak to Cy.

Hot-tubbing, catching up on her reading, and watching movies between regular test trips had filled her days.

As she’d assumed, regular doses of Cy’s DNA had tipped the balance.

Still, its introduction hadn’t changed her compatibility with the…

What had Macy called them? Sharks and squidheads?

Wren chuckled and stretched, working the kinks out of her back and relishing the ache in her nethers. The rumpled blankets snagged her gaze. Cy had thoroughly loved her, and yet, she wouldn’t say no to another round.

A quick shower and a coffee were in her future. This was her wonderful life now. Padding barefoot and naked to the bathroom, she stepped into the cubicle and raised her face to the water’s spray, wondering where Cy had gone.

A shadow darkened the corner of her eye.

Squeaking, she spun then slumped at her man leaning his shoulder against the bathroom door’s frame.

He gazed at her, adoration in his expression.

Sweat glistened on his skin. He tapped his chest and slipped out of his armor, piece by piece, until naked, he joined her.

I wanted to wake you.

She swirled her backside across his growing arousal.

Ensa, if only … He pressed a kiss to her neck while running his hands over her hips and belly. Adviser Kanzo and Lady Ava are en route.

She swiveled within his arms to press against his body. “Not even a quickie?”

His eyelids fluttered then he laughed. Later. I vow.

He wrapped his arms around her, gave her a tight hug, then left. With a wrap in hand, he waited for her. Standing there with the dryer blowing while he dripped onto the floor was the man of her dreams. She snorted. Not that she’d ever thought she’d find someone like him.

When he drew the wrap around her, he closed his arms for another hug. His breath fanned her ear at his whisper, “Thamani.” He gathered her against him while they dried, then he ushered her out of the bathroom.

She snatched leggings and a T-shirt from the hidden closets, but her fingers brushed the white robe Ariez had ordered for her. Cy’s stunned reaction had her thinking it was important to him. “I can wear this? Or is it for fucking?”

He growled, grabbed her hips, and yanked her to him. It is a ceremonial robe in my bloodline color and worn to announce to all who you belong to…

“Oh?” She met his gaze and wiggled her brows. “And to whom do I belong?”

“Wren,” he rasped, crushing her against him.

His cologne, the heat of his body, his arms around her—she shut her eyes in sheer happiness.

“So anything in white?” she asked, stroking his jawline. At his hum, she patted his cheek and drew away. Under his attentive gaze, she wrangled on her bra and panties then slipped into the kimono-like garment. The door chimed as she toed on her flats.

He thumped his chest, locking his armor in place.

“We need to get you some casual clothes,” she said, dancing past him.

Those blue pants from our date night? He trailed her then called for the door to open.

“Oh, yes,” she mumbled, her cheeks warming. He’d looked so damn sexy in denims.

“Adviser Kanzo, Lady Ava, do come in,” Cy said, gesturing to the white chairs.

“We’re just stopping by for coffee,” the black-haired woman said with a little wave. “I’m Ava, Etteria’s only hairstylist.”

“Well, that’s good news,” Wren said, fluffing her hair. She didn’t need to brush or condition, not with the quality of their water and whatever they put in it. “Where are my manners? May I offer you a beverage? Coffee, Ava? Giyua, Kanzo?”

“Please,” they said in unison then chuckled at each other.

Wren stared at them a little too long, trying to pick up any thoughts. Just a sense of well-being, of happiness. “Plain coffee or something fancier?”

“Not picky,” Ava said, smiling.

“Cy?” Wren called on her way to the rehydrator.

Whatever you are having, thamani.

Once everyone held a mug, she sank into the chair beside Cy. “Why do I feel this is more than a morning coffee?”

“I wanted to meet you, of course.” Ava cradled her cappuccino.

Kanzo smacked his lips after sipping his lemon juice. “And I have news.” He put his mug onto the low table. “Ambassador Barro is behind Iphara and the attack last night. Xeus has yet to inform Queen Alllero considering her poor health. Same with regards to the ship Barro used.”

“And while we have it?” Cy asked, downing his coffee with relish.

Kanzo grinned. “Etterians do not steal… Unlike operatives. Zive and Yelur mentioned your insistence that we learn what we can.”

Cy shrugged, throwing his arm across the back of Wren’s chair. He caressed where he touched her, drawing patterns with his fingers. “What would Malo do in this circumstance?”

“Indeed,” Kanzo said. “Xeus has asked Prince Citus to visit the queen and ask her for the information.”

Cy pursed his lips. “Diplomacy.”

“Yes,” Kanzo said. “Serratu Kayarra Korre has been prepped for transfer to the Caverns of Dooirin. She will be honored for her service.”

Cy bowed his head.

“The Durn Zucis revealed his intentions, granting Jokta time to secure the women. According to the interrogation, he used this mission to flee the clutches of Yithia.” Kanzo glanced at Wren. “The lima kuu are now searching for the marker Korre mentioned.”

Wren frowned. “What? I thought all was well.”

“Korre revealed the sexual compatibility was not the only goal.” Cy caught her hand and shifted it to his thigh. “Some sort of trigger once the Ethera occurs.”

“Like a time bomb?” Wren gasped.

“Something like that,” he said.

“Well, that’s not good. Does Ariez know?” Why had the man let her go with an all-clear? “And what does this thing do?”

“We do not know…yet.” Kanzo grimaced.

That happy cloud she’d woken up with evaporated. She tried to reason with her sinking heart. Cy wasn’t her Eth, so she couldn’t kill him.

“Have you told the women?” she asked.

“Without his Dar Eth, the male is guaranteed death. We cannot say with certainty that she will kill him.” Kanzo leaned forward. “As soon as we learn anything, I will inform you…two.”

Whatever happens, we will face it together. Cy squeezed her hand.

“As to the issue Cylo asked me to investigate: Earth Armed Forces has requested your presence. I have set a time and date on Demeter Station. I do believe that was your home?”

Wren blinked. “I’ve violated so many of the stipulations that they’ll want to arrest me.”

“I would not agree to the meeting if that was the case. Olin’s findings caused an uproar among your leaders.” Kanzo smiled. “The Kevol has been assigned to you. Fyca and Durok will join you since both their Dar Eths wish to visit Earth. Where you go afterward is for you to decide.”

She rubbed her temple. They’d just landed, and here she was heading into space again.

“The officer quarters have been reinforced as per Ariez’s instructions, if that is your concern.”

She met Kanzo’s gaze, then glanced at Ava and Cy. “Sounds like you want me to go.”

“I do,” Cy said, bringing her hand to his lips. I would like to meet your blood-bonds without you being detained.

She forced a smile she was far from feeling. “You’d like my dad. My mom, though, she can be scary.” She wasn’t about to mention her brothers.

“Excellent.” Kanzo grinned. “I will have additional officers’ quarters built from the barracks for Fyca and Durok.”

Ava laughed. “Like a pleasure cruise.”

“Indeed.” Kanzo set his empty mug on the table. “If you do not have questions, I would like to spend a little time with my wife.”

Ava’s cheeks bloomed. She set her cup down and rose, clinging to Kanzo’s arm when he joined her. “Thank you for the coffee.”

Wren and Cy escorted the couple to the door.

“I thought you said he wasn’t her Eth?” Ava asked as they strolled off. “His eyes are neon. You can’t get more Eth than that—” The door shut.

Cy froze then caught Wren’s chin between his forefinger and thumb. “What color are my eyes?”

“A breathtaking turquoise.” She pulled out of his grasp to kiss his palm before carrying the cups to the waste disposal. If what Ava said was true, that she was his Eth, Wren would have to walk away from Cy…to save him. She didn’t have the strength to even think about it.

Cy sat, staring at nothing.

“What’s your…void like?” she managed to ask, looping her arms around him from behind. She kissed his neck, trying to ignore her pounding heart.

“It is a beam of warm light where darkness once reigned.” He leapt from the chair and circled it, catching her by her hips. “Do you not see, ensa ra ensa?” You are forever mine and I yours.

“We chose to stay together,” she said, burrowing into his embrace.

“No, thamani . ” Dar Eth.

She jerked back but didn’t get far. “I will kill you, Cy. No, please don’t tell me the Ethera happened…”

He scooped her up and swung her, laughing as he did so.

“You have saved me. Those three days without you were torture. I cannot bear a separation again. And if that means I die by your side, I will be a happy male.” When he set her feet down, he met and held her gaze. Where you go, I go…as your husband.

She ignored the tear that slipped past her defenses. He was right. Who knew what tomorrow would bring? She wasn’t going to be a chicken and not cherish every moment with him. “Where you go, I go, as your wife.”

He chuckled. Is that so? He nudged his chin at their bedroom. I do believe I promised you a quickie.