I’m sorry, Falon. It never occurred to me that you would feel as untethered as I do. You not having something to offer me hadn’t even entered my mind. I was never that shallow, even on Earth. One thing I’ve learned is that no matter the species, we are all really looking for the same things: acceptance, love, a place to call home.”
“Little morsel, I have been floating around the Void these last orbital rotations seeking sights and wonders, only to be disappointed as they never lived up to my expectations. But the moment we saved Kallen and the others, and she said that Mam was alive and that I had a little sister, my priorities changed, and I would have done anything to be reunited with them again. But my God was not done with me as he made sure to put you in my path.”
I push most of that last sentence away like I didn’t hear it, trying to turn the conversation back to safer ground. “Falon, you may have lost them forever by following me here.”
“I had no choice, and they will understand when Bikar tells them why. I have spent a lot of time staring up at the ship's hull in the late darkness, thinking this over, and honestly, it is probably best that we are here. Back on Deapra, you would have been surrounded by my sins. Here it is just us, and that part of my life is now hidden behind the Veil. I can start afresh in a new world and hopefully have the time to prove to you that I am worthy of our mate status. The fact that I got to hug Mam and dance with my little sister will be a memory I will always cherish. Slavic and Ruarc will make sure they are all well cared for, and if the captain keeps his word, he will send supplies. Knowing I may be able to help them still on the other side of the Veil does my heart good.”
“I’m sure you’ll be able to send some sort of communications along for your mother and your brothers.”
“I will inquire about that possibility once the captain becomes more comfortable with me being on board.”
“Are you planning to go with us? Qwin told Laura that we would offload to ANDI, then continue to the planet, but they still won’t give us the name because of safety concerns. Apparently, humans were once a highly valued commodity in this region, and the Commander is trying to keep the planet we are all settling on a huge secret.”
“That is smart, in a world of so many species, some secrets are worth holding close.”
I squeal when a cart appears out of the floor right in front of us, and instantly, Falon is on his feet, standing before me, his large frame ready to fight the invisible opponent. “What is it, little morsel? What danger do you see that I do not?”
I can’t stop the snort that leaves my lips as I try to hold in the laughter, only to bend over with tears in my eyes as I start laughing so hard, I’m crying. “Falon the tray slayer,” I say in between giggles.
He relaxes only to turn toward me with a huge smile on his face. “Tease all you want, Edie. My humiliation will always be worth it if it ends with your smiles. Let us see what feast Destiny has provided for us this rising.”
“It’s odd having room service after so long. Us girls used to lie together on the mountaintop and talk about the things we missed back home. For some, room service, others soft blankets, but warm beds were always on the list. Personally, I missed Snickers, Pepsi, and Doritos. I was always a junk food junkie, as you can tell by my hips.”
“I have grown quite fond of those hips, and if I need to acquire these things so that you can maintain them, I will make it my life’s mission.”
I throw what looks like a grape at him, and he catches it with his mouth, and I just roll my eyes. “Show off.”
“I am talented in many ways, little female.”
“Okay, we’re not going there, but I do have a confession. I overheard you talking to the captain about your family yesterday. First, I’m sorry I was eavesdropping on your conversation. I’m too old to do things like that, and secondly, I’m sorry about what was done to you and your brothers. Everytime you think the worst has happened to you, there is always someone else whose life was harder.”
“I have no pleasant memories of the time in captivity, but the enhancements have since proven to be beneficial. I am hoping they will be helpful in this new world as I need to be able to provide for you, and I have a feeling they would frown upon my previous employment.”
“You mean the pirating?”
“Yes.”
“Falon, you don’t have to take care of me. I understand you think you should, but I’m more than capable of doing that for myself.”
“I am at a loss as to what to do. You are my one and only so there will never be another female for me. Not only will my body simply not respond, but in my eyes, you are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I am going to warn you that I plan on doing everything in my power to win you over. If it means sleeping at your door, but never being invited in, then that is where I will be. I am not going anywhere.”
For some reason, in my mind I swear I can see his huge, shivering form curled up at my door, and I wonder if I’m really that heartless to leave him there. Taking another grape in my hand, I throw it at him, and I’ll be damned if he doesn’t catch this one too. Before I realize it I have a whole handful of them, launching them at him like little missiles. They bounce all over his head, one smacking so hard he now has juice running down his cheek.
The next thing I know, he’s gotten up from his side of the makeshift table with a huge smile on his face, and I think that’s when I notice just how perfect his lips appear between thosetusks of his. “Little Morsel, you just started a war you have no way of winning.”
I don’t know where he was hiding them, but suddenly pieces of fruit are raining down on me, and I duck out of my seat, not before grabbing some of the larger pieces. Running between some of the other chairs, I launch one piece after another as he tries to make his way closer. Both of our laughter can be heard across the room, and just as I’m getting ready to throw my last one, Falon jumps over the chair, tackling me playfully. His long fingers tickling my sides as I fight to wiggle away and keep from flashing him as my skirt is riding up my legs.
The next thing I know, I’m sitting on his belly with both of his wrists in my hands. I lean over, pinning his long, muscular arms to the floor and yell, “Pinned ya. I’m the champion fruit thrower. Tap out and bow to your master!”
I’m smiling so big my jaw hurts, and I’ve never laughed like this. Just as I realize I am sitting on a blue-gray muscular furnace with only a scrap of material separating us, casually holding him in place with my naked legs, the floor under us starts to shake. Instantly, I’m in Falon’s arms, and he’s on his feet. Unconsciously, my arms circle his neck as my legs wrap tightly around his waist, while one of his large hands holds me up by my ass.
“Destiny, what’s going on?” I yell out as Falon pulls me closer, his large feet balancing us against the roughness.
“A little busy, Mistress, I will get back to you. Remain where you are until I can stabilize the warp drive.”
Panels from the ceiling start to fall and I scream, tucking myself in closer to Falon’s large frame as he curls around me beforerushing down the hall toward the room I share with the other girls.
Red lights flash and even though I can’t see them, I can hear people running around in the halls. Falon approaches my door and I reach down, scanning my hand across the panel, but it still doesn’t open.
