“It’s going to be hard enough saying goodbye to you.” My mate’s voice turned Adtovar’s gaze back to her. “I couldn’t stand it if I thought you were out among the stars, being all morose and feeling unworthy.” Willa’s hands fell to Adtovar’s shoulders, and she gave him a shake. “I just couldn’t stand it. I love you, and I want you to be happy. You deserve it so much. You saved me.”
Something shifted inside Adtovar at her words. The broad shoulders slumped slightly, and he lowered his head as though feeling unworthy to meet her gaze.
“Oh, little warrior.” The words escaped on the heels of a deep sigh. “You are so wrong. I did not save you... you saved me.” Adtovar lifted his head, and I caught the shimmer of wetness in the pale blue eyes. The hand that he lifted to trace along my mate’s cheek trembled. “After my mate and daughter... you showed me what it was like to care for someone again.” His bluegaze flickered to me. “You both did. I’d forgotten how nice it is to feel the bonds of family.”
“Yeah, well, being family doesn’t go away just because you’re on a different ship.” My mate tried to appear stoic, but she couldn’t help but sniffle. “We’ll comm every day and meet up all the time. You’re not getting rid of us that easy.”
“Is that a promise?” Adtovar asked.
A small sound, a mix of aggravation tinged with a sob, escaped my mate, and she dove at Adtovar, slinging her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. “It’s a promise, Grandpa.”
Adtovar glanced in my direction as his arms slipped around Willa’s waist, hugging her tightly. “I thought you said you couldn’t call me Grandpa anymore because of how young and handsome I am now.”
“I lied,” Willa huffed, fighting a losing battle against her tears.
This time, it was Adtovar’s palm that cradled my mate’s cheek. “I don’t mind, as long as I get to call you daughter.”
Willa’s eyes grew bright, even through the wash of tears. “Always.”
They stared at each other for a long moment, expressions giving way to affection words could not convey. Only the sound of a long, distant whistle broke their gaze. The warning siren which meant theBardagawould leave Ajaxiun’s orbit soon. I sighed in aggravation, wishing the two had longer to say goodbye.
“I think that’s my cue.” Adtovar grinned and pressed his lips to Willa’s forehead while my mate wiped her hands over her face, scrubbing away the wetness on her cheeks.
“There is a shuttle waiting to take you and the others to theHistoria.” Adtovar would not be the only one leaving theBardaga. Besides George, a few other Vaktaire had acceptedpositions aboard Duke Ako’s ship, mostly to provide training and support to the new gladiator crew.
Adtovar jumped to his feet, grabbing the small pack that lay by the foot of the bed and pulled out a navy-blue tunic. The uniform of an Aljani officer. It suited him. I fished in the pocket of my own tunic and handed him an accessory.
“What is this?” Adtovar frowned at the golden communication bracelet in his hand.
“Charick’s mother got them for us.” Willa held up her arm so the gold band on her left wrist showed and pointed at the band I wore on my right wrist. “They’re the same comm system the Alliance Council uses, so we’ll be able to talk to each other no matter where we are in the universe. We’ve already programmed mine and Charick’s coordinates for you. I call it thefamily plan.”
“The family plan.” Adtovar smiled, placing the comm on his left wrist. He turned and offered his arm to me. I clasped it near the elbow as he reciprocated.
“Good journey, my brother.” Adtovar’s voice was hoarse, although I’d never call him on it or admit to the same hoarseness in my own voice when I replied.
“Good journey.”
Willa watched us, eyes shimmering, and when I stepped away, took the opportunity for one more hug.
“Be well, my daughter.” Adtovar’s voice grew raspy as he wrapped his arms around my mate’s shoulders.
“You too,” Willa’s voice sounded scratchy as well. “Be happy.”
With one last squeeze, they broke apart. Adtovar’s pale eyes met mine, and his lips twitched upward in a smile. Then, with a curt nod, he turned and strode toward his future.
Willa watched him leave, her back to me, shoulders trembling. When I ran my hands over her arms, she turned,burying her face against my chest while soft sobs shook her body.
“He will be well,” I promised, believing that Adtovar had a bright future in the Duke’s service.
“I know,” she sniffled, scrubbing the back of her hand under her runny nose. “I don’t know what I hate worse, goodbyes or crying, but I don’t seem to be able to help myself.”
“Crying because you are leaving someone you care for is no cause for shame,” I assured her. Willa nodded, but the pink in her cheeks still grew. As her mate, I held the honor of being privy to her every emotion. But I would do anything to protect her from feeling embarrassed in front of others.
Lifting her in my arms, I took the back exit from the Medi-bay, accessing a barely used corridor that took us to the section of the ship that housed the officer’s quarters.
Something shifted as we maneuvered the corridor. Willa’s tears ended, and she nuzzled her face into the curve of her neck, sighing contentedly.
“Feel better?” I asked.
