“Hey, baby.” Caspian’s voice startles me out of my musings, and I feel the blush spread across my cheeks at being caught. Thankfully our telepathy is only active when we’re underwater, so he didn’t hear those dirty thoughts. I don’t think I’m ready to admit them out loud… yet.
He’s in humanoid form, though his skin is still his normal mottled blue and purple color. He’s sitting at the kitchen counter with a steaming mug of something in front of him. Caspian’s smile is large, but it slowly drops when I don’t return the friendly greeting. Getting up, he walks over to me and holds out his hands for mine. “Hey, is everything okay?” he asks with a small wrinkle of concern between his eyes.
Biting my lip, I shrug and take his hands. I don’t want to outwardly reject him. He has experienced issues with women in the past, and I don’t want him to think that I’m denying him, but I’m also feeling…lost.
He guides me over to the couch facing the big picture window and helps me sit down before joining me, wrapping his arms around me, and pulling me into his chest. The immenseness of space stretches out in front of us. The moon is behind us, and there is nothing recognizable before us. Space debris occasionally floats past, but the ship’s outer shield protects us from impact.
A sigh escapes me, and I can’t deny how good this feels, my body craving the comfort Caspian is giving me. Relaxing against him, I stare out into the seemingly never-ending scenery, trying to come up with the words to express the turmoil I’ve been feeling.
“Talk to me, Lila.” He sounds concerned by the length of my silence, and his arms tighten slightly like he thinks I’m going to flee.
I run my hand over his sexy chest, trying to assure him that I’m not going anywhere. He too is wearing one of the jumpsuits, and I can’t deny how spectacular he looks in it. His grip relaxes at my touch, and he presses a kiss to my head.
“Where do I even begin?” I pause, needing to sort through my thoughts so they make sense and aren’t jumbled. After taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I continue. “I mean, Dylan’s act really had me going. For the first time ever, I just went with my gut and trusted his intentions. I never ever do that. Like, ever. But I relaxed all of my defenses and let everyone in—you, him, the grandpas, Link. Fuck, I let Link go down on me yesterday because you said it was fine.” The words tumble out of my mouth, growing more frantic as I try to get everything out. “Even the grandpas are encouraging multiple relationships, and I didn’t once question any of it. But that’s not me. I don’t trust, and I don’t accept everything at face value. I feel like maybe someone’s been messing with my mind.”
Now that I say it out loud, I hear the truth in my words, and I feel a rush of anger. Is that what has been happening? Did the grandpas have thewarlockdo something to me to make me gullible and compliant? I stiffen and try to pull away, but Caspian won’t let me. He tightens his arms.
“No, Lila. No one here would take away your free will, and Dylan is just an asshole. I had no idea his feelings for me ran so deep. I am just as surprised as you are. But if you’re so worried about your mind being manipulated, we can get Link to check you again.”
“What’s to say he’s not in on this conspiracy, Caspian? That he’s not a part of it? How do I know that the grandpas are even related to me? Maybe I don’t show any signs of power because they got the wrong girl...” I started off angry, but by the end of that little rant, I’m despondent. Isowant to be their granddaughter.
“Link wouldn’t lie to you, Lila. He will always tell you the truth, cyborgs can’t lie.” His words give me some hope.
“Really?” I ask, looking into his expressive, stormy blue eyes for any sign of duplicity, but all I see is love and acceptance. This beautiful creature who has suffered nothing but rejection from the female sex just looks at me like I’m the best thing since sliced bread. How can I not trust him?
“Really, babe.” He releases me and stands up. “Come on, we’ll go right now. I don’t want you to spend another minute more worrying about this. We’ll get him to run a DNA test and check for any spells, so when you see Xavier this afternoon about your lack of powers, you won’t have to be wary of him.” He frowns. “Or no more wary than the rest of us are around someone like him.”
I let Caspian help me to my feet. “He’s powerful, isn’t he?” I ask as he interlocks our fingers and guides me to the door. “He has this magnetic aura that surrounds him, and he practically crackles with static electricity.”
“The warlock’s one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy,” he confirms as we walk to the elevators. This deck is free of people. It’s only my and the grandpas’ suites up here as well as the flight deck, so there’s no reason for anyone to be hanging around.
“How do we know he’s not fooling all of us?”
Caspian doesn’t blow off my question with a vague answer, and I can see him really thinking about his response before he replies, “Westalins, or warlocks, are an interesting race. They can be devious and conniving, but some also have a fierce streak of honor. Xavier is loyal to your grandpas, but he also wouldn’t deceive you on their behalf, especially with both of you having the attraction marks. He’s not motivated by greed, and he has everything he could ever want and all the power he needs. One day he will rule the warlocks, and you can’t get much higher than that. Although they are a fairly peaceful race and don’t go out of their way to start conflict, you can be damn sure they will finish it if they need to.”
I hear what he’s saying, but it really doesn’t reassure me. I get lost in my thoughts, thinking about upcoming DNA tests, seeing the rest of the circus, and getting to know Link better. I don’t really pay attention to everything around me, so it’s a surprise when Caspian squeezes my hand to get my attention.
“Lila, honey?” I’m shocked to find myself in the waiting room of Link’s office. Caspian has a concerned frown on his face, and Josa is sneering at me. I guess I definitely didn’t make a friend by asserting my authority last night. The mind-blowing, moan inducing oral probably didn’t really help either.
“Here to flaunt the rules again,human?” he questions sarcastically, but when I gaze around the room, I see no one’s waiting.
“What is your problem?” I snap in irritation, and his eyebrows jump in surprise before he fortifies himself and barks back.
“Link has been promised to me, so keep your filthy fucking hands off him. Sure, you may get him to fuck you, but he can’t commit to you, so why don’t you do us both a favor and just find someone else.” His words are so full of venom that I recoil, and dread sits heavily in my stomach.
Shit.
Have I been physical with a taken man? No wonder this guy has been so pissy since I stepped foot in here. Should I apologize? I’m floundering, this information adding to my already distressed state, when Link steps out of his exam room.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Josa, I’ve told you that I have no intentions of being involved with you. My mother cannot promise my hand in marriage no matter what she thinks.” Link sounds exasperated and annoyed, like he’s said this to Josa countless times before, but his words are reassuring, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I roll my eyes when the realization hits me. How did I manage to attract two men who have the most fucked up and delusional people interested in them? First Dylan and then Josa. Now, though, I know the truth so I can fight back.
“I happen to like having his hands on me, and his mouth, tongue, and fingers too. I can’t wait to get at his dick as well. You might want to block your ears, Josa. Link asked me to be quiet yesterday, but I’m going to let you in on a little secret… I like to be loud.” I breeze past him, letting him assume I’m here to fuck Link’s brains out.
Link holds the door open for Caspian and me, and as we walk past, I deliberately run my fingers across his stomach, his abs rock-hard beneath his uniform. Turning back, I wink at the jealous prick behind the reception desk. That’s right, I’m making friends all over this ship. Thankfully one of the jealous pricks has already been evicted.
When the doors close behind me, I lose the flirty act and jump up on the exam table, taking a seat. I close my eyes and rub my temples, trying to get a handle on my thoughts. It’s disconcerting that I’ve been doubting every decision I’ve made since I woke up this morning.
“Well this is a nice surprise. I hadn’t expected to see you again so soon. What can I do for you both?” Link smiles at us as if the last three minutes with Josa didn’t happen.
