“Melted it down?” My blood freezes in my veins.
“I traveled to Grag 2 where Talrut’s forge is located so he could recreate the statue from the zorite bricks melted down from the original relic. It was the only way to save you.”
Emotions collide within me like a tempest, a whirlwind of uncertainty, confusion, and a swelling of affection. I don’t know what to think. I'm tempted to question why he’s held himself back and not claimed me if I mean so much, but I resist the urge, not wanting to ruin the moment.
Chapter
Eight
BEHTU
The red horizon of Ritk bleeds into my vision, a stark reminder of the desolation that I have chosen as my refuge. Rivers and lakes of lava carve through the landscape, their molten glow a pulsing heartbeat against the scorched earth. The heavy black ash of the atmosphere swirls in a menacing dance, casting eerie shadows across the jagged terrain.
My oasis amid a sea of red-orange desolation with lava rivers coursing through the cracked earth like veins pumping molten blood.
I engage the shields with a practiced flick of my hand, the ship responding to my command like an extension of my own body. A low hum vibrates through the cabin as we descend, cutting through the thick air with precision only Lizordian engineering could achieve. I've flown through a thousand skies, but Ritk's unforgiving embrace always tests my skills, and secretly, I relish the challenge.
The landing dock, a massive square structure designed for behemoths like my freighter, comes into view. Its surface is blanketed in the same oppressive ash that chokes the sky—a constant, if not unwelcome, companion on this forsaken planet.
With a deft command, I remotely open the roof to the landing dock. It retracts sluggishly, groaning under the weight of accumulated detritus. The ship glides into the gaping maw with inches to spare, and I bring her down gently next to another vessel, a second Lizordian craft that seems almost out of place in its sleekness amid the grime of Ritk.
“Welcome to my hideaway,” I say to Jules as I power down the engines, the soft hum fading away.
“Are we inside a volcano,” Jules turns to me with wide eyes as we release the straps from our seats.
“No. We’re landing on an inert mountain, although Ritk has many active volcanos. The planet’s core is in constant turmoil, the air unbreathable. Nothing can survive here.”
“Except for you, apparently,” she smirks.
My eyes devour her movements as she tightens the sheet she’s been wearing wrapped around her lush frame ever since our last romp.
“Makes for a perfect hideaway,” I smile and take her hand, leading her over to the hatch.
“Wait,” she says with my hand hovering above the release panel. “Are you sure it’s safe to leave the ship? The air is choked with ash.”
“The surface is deadly, but we’re enclosed inside a biodome.” I give her hand a reassuring squeeze and open the ship’s hatch. The transparent walls of the dock showcase the harsh landscape beyond.
Jules hesitates at the bottom of the ramp, her gaze sweeping over the unforgiving terrain, a blend of fiery reds and oranges, a cacophony of cracking lava that flows like rivers in the distance.The heavy ash-laden atmosphere cloaks the sky in an eternal twilight, defying the very notion of breathable air. But we're safe, enclosed within the invisible shield, impenetrable against the inhospitable world outside.
"Feels like stepping into the belly of a beast," she murmurs, her curiosity piqued even as her body tenses.
I lead her through the dock and the entrance of my biodome cave. My home is a spartan extension of myself with an open layout, minimalistic, nothing more than what's needed for survival and the occasional pleasure. I've never brought anyone here before, but with Jules, it feels right, necessary even.
I crave solitude… or, used to. Her presence fills the space, making it seem less sterile, more alive.
A Star Maverick’s whereabouts require secrecy. My vocation puts me in danger, I just never thought another would be harmed because of my actions. Now that Jules is a part of my life, maybe it’s time for a change.
"Quite the bachelor pad," she teases, verdant eyes dancing with mirth.
I chuckle as my translator implant interprets her Earthly remark, the sound rougher than I intend. "Bliking mess is what it is." Both my home and my life. Neither is good enough for my chosen mate.
I begin to tidy up the disorder, snatching up tools and gadgets strewn across the floor. I’ve never felt the need to impress a female before now. "I was in a rush to collect the zorite," I begin, glancing at her over my shoulder. "Talrut's forge is two galaxies away and time was ticking.”
“Good thing for me you have a fast ship.” Jules quirks an eyebrow and moves toward the clear membrane that separates us from the deadly embrace of Ritk's surface. I follow her gaze as it travels across the hellish landscape beyond the barrier. “Are we inside a cave?”
“Of sorts. The biodome is nestled inside a lava pocket that cooled long ago.”
"Isn't it risky? Living inside a bubble on a planet that could erupt at any moment?" She's closer to the biodome wall now, almost touching it, her breath fogging the transparent material with every exhale.
