She grimaced after the first bite."Military rations.Definitely not luxury liner cuisine."She pushed the tray away."Sleep seems more appealing than this."
"This vessel prioritizes combat capability and velocity over creature comforts.Triaxen military personnel are conditioned to subsist on whatever protein sources are available, regardless of palatability.Despite the austerity, we've been assigned premier accommodation.Is the sleeping surface tolerable?"
"It rivals concrete for discomfort."
"I can make do with the floor, unless you prefer, I serve as your mattress?"Krevan's mouth curved upward."Though the berth hardly accommodates two, and I'd rather not risk compressing you or becoming the target of another digestive mishap."His expression soured slightly."Particularly the latter scenario."
"Great, another embarrassing moment for my highlight reel," Ancelin muttered.
Krevan's lips quirked upward."Just keep track of the milestones.I'll take the floor for now—just signal if you need a clear path to the bathroom."
"Can we drop it already?"Her voice came out sharper than she intended.
"Consider it dropped."Krevan settled against the wall, fingers raking through his dark hair."Couldn't sleep now anyway.My mind's still processing everything."
Ancelin reached for his hand."I've turned your whole existence upside down, haven't I?Just...stay until I drift off?I can't shake this feeling they're still hunting us.What if they've infiltrated the ship?Or what if they're tracking us to Triaxe?Will we ever stop looking over our shoulders?"
"We're secure here," Krevan said, squeezing her fingers."This vessel outmatches anything they could send after us.The Triaxen guards would die before letting anyone reach you—it's why they specifically assigned our kind to this mission.We might bicker amongst ourselves, but against outsiders.We're unified.You're my mate carrying a Triaxen child—that makes you doubly protected under our laws.No one from our world would ever permit harm to come to you."
Ancelin fought to keep her eyelids from closing as his words washed over her.
The ship's alarms pierced Ancelin's sleep like needles.She bolted upright, her heart hammering against her ribs."Krevan!"The word caught in her throat as nausea surged.She swung her legs over the edge of the bunk, but the room tilted beneath her feet.Her knees buckled.Krevan's arms were around her before she hit the floor.
"Easy," he murmured against her hair."You'll harm the baby."
Bile rose in her throat."Bathroom," she gasped, clutching his forearm."Now.Please."Her eyes darted toward the door as the alarms continued their wail."They've found us, haven't they?"
Krevan guided her swiftly across the chamber, supporting her weight as they moved.
"Don't worry, my love.This vessel is built for combat," Krevan said, steadying her with his hand.
"Nowhere is safe for us anymore," Ancelin moaned, lurching toward the bathroom just in time.
The intercom crackled."This is your captain speaking.We apologize for the alarm.A piece of space debris struck our outer hull.No damage sustained.Continue as you were."
Krevan leaned against the bathroom doorframe, his voice low and certain."I won't let anything happen to you."
Chapter 17
"We're approaching Triaxe," Krevan said, checking his timepiece."Four hours until landing.Might want to consider a shower."
Ancelin blinked, disoriented."Four hours?Wait—how long was I out?"
"Long enough that those clothes might walk off on their own."He wrinkled his nose."Four days, give or take."
"Four days?"She pushed herself up on her elbows.
"You'd wake up just enough to eat something, use the bathroom, then crash again.Mother's been by several times to check your vitals."Krevan straightened the rumpled bedding."Everyone's gathering at the space station—family, old friends.Quite the welcoming committee."
Ancelin swung her legs over the edge of the bunk, gripping the frame as the room tilted."I'll need your help getting to the shower.Everything's spinning."
"Just promise if you get sick again, you'll aim for my sister instead of me."Krevan winked, offering his arm."Though I probably deserve it most."
"I'm sorry about the mess," Ancelin whispered."At least it was you and not some dignitary from Triaxe."
"Next time, I'll remember to move slower,” Krevan said, his voice gentle as he guided her from the bunk to the shower.The warm water cascaded over her clammy skin.
"I didn't pack properly," she said, watching rivulets run down the drain."One ruined outfit and these sleep-wrinkled clothes are all I have left.What will your family think?"
