No, you are not, he thought, an idea that had been in the back of his mind forming.
Looking at Vaxa’an, Kirov resented that he would have to betray his friend’s trust.
But Kirov had warned him before. Kirov had told Vaxa’an the truth when he said if he found his fated mate, he would do anything to keep her.
Vikan had stolen his female away, from the command center, in the middle of the night. Vaxa’an had been furious and had gone after them, but by the time he reached them, Vikan had won his female.
Could Kirov do the same with Lani?
He was scheduled to depart for Troxva that day, earlier than expected, but could he truly betray Vaxa’an and steal Lani away, just like Vikan had?
Absolutely, he thought, thinking of his female. His loyalty was and always would be to her and their matehood. Vaxa’an would do the same if the positions were reversed.
Kirov drew in a deep breath, the plan forming in his mind quickly.
If he stole Lani and took her with him to Troxva, it would only buy him a couple spans. No doubt Vaxa’an would be right on their tail.
But it was more time.
Kirov would take it.
“You return to Troxva this afternoon?” Vaxa’an asked, shutting down the Coms.
“This night,” Kirov amended. “I still have much to prepare.”
“Very well,” Vaxa’an said. “If I do not see you, have a safe journey, brother.”
Guilt ate at him but his resolved hardened.
“Thank you, my friend.”
Chapter Seventeen
Later that afternoon, Lainey was sitting in her room, at the end of her bed. Her leg was bouncing up and down and her fingers fidgeted over her thighs.
All morning, she had waited for Kirov to return to his house. All morning, she listened for the sound of a hovercraft with a racing heart.
He never returned. She felt sick about it. Vixron had told her he was leaving in the afternoon. Surely he would return to his house to pack up some things, but now Lainey wasn’t so sure. Perhaps he would leave straight from the command center.
I might not see him again, she thought, throat burning.
She needed to speak with him. Shehadto.
She had to tell him—no, beg him—that she wanted another chance. That she wanted to explore whatever was between them, as crazy as it seemed. Kirov was worth taking a chance on and Lainey was finally ready to.
If only he would come back to her.
Her ears perked up when she heard a gentle whirring sound coming from the terrace, but it was different than the sound of a hovercraft. Her shoulders sagged when she recognized it as the mini-hovercraft that delivered their meals.
A moment later she heard Vixron murmur something to Crystal in the living room. Another moment after that, she heard Crystal’s surprised gasp as she exclaimed, “Oh, they’re beautiful! Lainey! Come out here and see!”
Curiosity piqued, Lainey rose slowly from her bed and walked out to the living room.
Crystal was standing, holding up…a dress. A dress much like the one Kate had worn when she’d visited yesterday.
The dress was a lovely peach color, the color of a sunset. A shimmering band went across the waist and wide, cinched straps, secured with gold clasps, led to a plunging neckline. The dress swished, feather-light, across the floor when Crystal approached her.
“There’s four here,” Crystal said, her eyes bright with excitement. “Two for each of us.”
