Chapter Three
Trin finished her foodand water, and she asked, “Are you related to Symo?”
He chuckled.“All Hmrain are related, but yes.He was built on my template.”
“What?”
“They used my pattern to create him with visual differences.They put the stripes on him but kept the psychic component.”He added helpfully, “They mostly kept the same texture on his skin, his curiosity and kindness.Well, kind now.I have been watching as I slept, and his pursuit of his consort has driven his empathy up to the extreme.”
“Oh, he told me about Bailey.That was a rough one.”
“Were you in such a situation?”
“Widowed and had my pregnancy destroyed on the same day?No.There was never enough time for me to meet, and few folks could put up with Grandpa.”
“He was difficult?”
“He was...distracted by all the things in his mind.I helped him focus, but I just wanted to let my own mind run a little wild.Wait.Are you psychic, too?”
“Not yet.That will come with alertness.”
“Do you naturally become more alert?”
“I can.It will take about one hundred days.Why?”
“Just wondering how long I have until I need to keep my thoughts to myself.Right now, I know they are sparking and sputtering.”
“It feels like a fluttering against my mind.Nothing clear yet.”He smiled and chuckled.
Trin felt a curl of lust at the sound, and he flicked a glance toward her.“Oh, please tell me you didn’t feel that.”
“The curl of interest?Absolutely not.”Birun smiled.“Would you care for some tea?”
Trin bit her lip.“Um, yes, please.”
He chuckled and rose to his feet, taking her tray with him.
Trin watched the wings and the rest of him cross the commissary.She remembered the velvety feel of him from when he carried her; he smelled great, and his voice made her all hot and flustered.She was doomed.She spoke softly, “Boss, did you pick this base because Birun was on it?”
“Yes, Trin.He is an ideal match for you.Your grandfather knew, but he wanted to keep you with him until the end.He told me what he wanted for you, and you seemed to agree.”
“Wow.That’s sneaky.”
“William was very sneaky, and he regretted stealing your youth, so this is his apology and hope for highly intelligent great-grandchildren.”
Trin felt her face turn hot pink as Birun returned with a tea tray.He was smiling slightly as he set the tray down.“So, your relative programmed Boss?”
“Apparently.”
“He conversed with me and explained his hopes and dreams for Trin.I added those wishes into my programming to look over her and regulate her environment.Both are possible here.”
Birun nodded.“That is correct.No other vessel has requested clearance to land, and your warship is taking up most of the hangar until I raise the lower levels.No one will survive the run from the ice to the base unless they are in insulated bio suits.”
