“Great,” she said with a chuckle and a roll of her eyes.
He tapped on his data bracelet until he found what we needed. Grabbing her hand, he led her down a corridor. “This way.”
“Are we going to the solution to my, um, problem?” she asked with another laugh as she took a few dancing steps behind him.
Soon they were in the staging area next to the tunnel leading to the Assist.
“Are we going over to see the kids?” she asked, sounding excited.
“Not right now,” he said, looking around the busy room. Everyone was so focused on their tasks that they weren’t noticed at first, but as they stood there, the warriors in the room stopped working and turned to stare at Nova.
“But they’re right there,” she said, keeping her eyes on the tunnel. “All we need to do is walk across the tunnel.”
By the time he spotted Lazil and Nerin, they were already moving toward him with questioning looks on their faces.
He used a hand gesture to tell the two men to follow him, then he turned and led Nova out of the room.
“Hey, that’s the wrong way,” she protested.
“I’ll ask if we can visit the children later,” he said as all of them moved to an empty area next door.
“Saris said the same thing,” she grumbled. “Are you guys allowed to take a shit without permission?”
He ignored her sass. He was preparing himself for the unpleasant task he had to do.
“Did Nova try to run again?” Lazil asked the moment they were gathered in a circle in the empty room.
“How are you doing, Nova?” Nerin asked. “You look very nice.”
She gave Nerin a broad smile, blatantly ignoring Lazil. “Except for being confused, I’m fine.” She ran her hand over the front of her tunic. “Isn’t this pretty? I have so many more back in Miran’s room.”
“I’m sure that’s only the beginning of your wardrobe,” Nerin said with a happy expression. “It’s good to see you smiling.”
“Why do you need us?” Lazil asked Miran. “Is there a special assignment?"
“In a manner of speaking,” Miran said. “I want both of you to kiss Nova.”
His teammates reacted as he expected. Lazil looked intrigued, and Nerin took a step back with a frown.
Nova spoke first. “Oh, this is your plan. I’m going to kiss these guys so I know you’re better?” Her voice was highly amused. “Shouldn’t there be a few more men? Two doesn't seem like much.”
Shouldn’t she be a little more resistant? Not that he wanted her to say no, but she should at least give a token protest.
“I trust Nerin and Lazil,” he said, not letting go when she tried to pull her hand free of his. “I don’t know if I could trust anyone else on this ship.”
“Why are you doing this?” Nerin asked. “Is this some strange test of Nova’s loyalty? Do you need to talk to a mind mender?”
Lazil didn’t say anything, his gaze focused on Nova’s neck. There still weren’t any mating marks, but it had only been a few days. Miran was sure they’d appear, it was only a matter of time.
Nothing else was possible.
“I’m the only male Nova has ever been with,” Miran said. “She doesn’t have a point of reference for her feelings for me. After she’s kissed the two of you, she’ll be able to judge our relationship better.”
Lazil moved his eyes from Nova’s neck to meet Miran’s gaze with a smirk. “Are you sure you want to do this? I’m not sure she’ll want you after only a single kiss from me.”
He knew Lazil was joking, but it was hard to keep his temper in check. He might trust both of these men, but that didn’t mean he liked this situation. It was too bad this was the only answer he could think of to Nova’s inexperience.
“No, I won’t do this,” Nerin said. He met Nova’s eyes. “You saved my life after I was bitten by the sand spider. You could’ve stayed hidden, but you didn’t. I won’t thank you by doing this act of betrayal.”
