“Whatever the reason, I’m glad. You shouldn’t end up a lonely old man like me.”
And again, I’m surprised. “Did you have someone you left behind, Captain?”
His smile is faint. “Why do you think I made a career of the military? Once upon a time, there was nothing left for me, either.” He gets to his feet and straightens his clothing. “I’m cold. I’m heading back to theLady. Send Trakan up when he’s done drinking, will you? We’ll leave at first light in the morning.”
He extends his hand to me.
I get to my feet and take it. “You’re a good man, Captain.”
“It’s been an honor to serve with you, Vendasi.” He smiles, and then adds, “Mardok.”
And kef, I’m getting choked up. I grip his arm, full of respect for this man. “I’ve got a few years’ pay saved up in my cabin. Box of credit chits stashed under my mattress. I want you to take it. It’s not much, but it’ll help pay for any problems with this shipment.” I think for a moment, and then add, “And might want to give some to Niri. She’s probably pissed that the tribe cleaned out some of her med bay supplies.”
The captain nods. “Thank you.”
He turns and leaves, and I watch him go. Like Niri, I wonder if I truly knew the man or if I’ve just been so wrapped up in my own head that I’ve pushed everyone away. Everyone except Farli. Too late to mend that now. Maybe I’ll see the captain again someday. Probably not, but if I do, I’ll buy him a drink and a meal.
Or since I’m going to be one of the local ‘savages,’ I guess I’ll slaughter him a meal and brew him a drink. There are so many skills I need to learn here, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. As long as I have Farli, I’ll be able to handleanything.
I look over at her, and she’s now by Georgie’s side, chatting and drawing a replica of my tattoos on Georgie’s arm with a paintbrush and yellow paints. She glances up at me from across the fire, and a shy smile of delight curves her lovely mouth. My heart surges with joy at the sight of her. This is good. This feels right. This is where I’m meant to be—at her side, her mate. I make my way through the cluster of people near the fire and lean in to whisper in her ear. “Think we can get away without being disturbed?”
“Of course. Why?” Her eyes are full of amusement.
“Because I want to go and make a baby with you.”
She jumps to her feet and flings her arms around my neck. “Let us go, then. And quickly.”
Laughter bubbles up from the crowd. I grin as I pull my mate into my arms, carrying her. We’ve got a few hours before we have to be up for the big khui hunt in the morning, and I intend that we don’t sleep for a single one.
BEK
“You’re sure we can do this?” Trakan asks as I lead him through the thick snow toward the flashing red light in the distance.
“Positive,” I tell him.
“But Mardok lost his shit when we tried to salvage the other ship. What makes this one so different?” Trakan glances back at Cap-tan, whose face is impassive.
I bite back my impatience, because I need this fool. “The other cave was the home of our elders. It means a great deal to my people. This?” I flick a dismissive hand at the wreckbefore us. “This is nothing but an intruder. No one comes here to salvage things or to commune with the ancestors. In a few seasons, it will be completely covered in snow and gone.” I step past a frozen sky-claw carcass. “You said you wanted a cave like the Elders’ Cave. I have brought you one.”
“Another crashed ship,” Trakan breathes as he follows close at my heels. “For a planet in the middle of nowhere, you guys sure do get a lot of play.”
I do not know what he is talking about. I do not care, either. This is the cave-ship that brought Li-lah and Mah-dee. No one is attached to it. No one will care if it has been ransacked as these greedy ones wish to do.
“And you won’t get in trouble for bringing us here?” The elder, Cap-tan, asks.
I shake my head. “They are off on a sa-kohtsk hunt and will be gone for many days. No one will notice I am gone.” I lead the way inside the brokenhull of the cave-ship. Snow has drifted inside, but I can see the remains of an old fire from many seasons ago. No one has been here since then. Even the animals and metlaks avoid it.
The two strangers wander inside, shining beams of light from their hands. Trakan whistles. “This looks like a szzt cruiser.”
“It does,” Cap-tan agrees.
“Salvage of the ship itself is a bad idea, then. A single registration number on this baby gets out and we’re going to have every bounty hunter in the galaxy after our asses. Better to just see what we can take and go.” Trakan glances at me. “Which way to the bridge?”
I frown, arms crossed over my chest. “Bridge?”
“Right. I keep forgetting. You probably don’t know what that is. Never mind.”
Cap-tan shines his light-beam onto the wall, where thetwo pods were broken open. “Cryo chambers. Two open, the others empty. Slaving, you think?” He looks to Trakan.
