Amina lifted her head, silently laughing while tears were still rolling down her face. “She did. Shocked the hell out of Lorse.”
“How?” Myrum said, thinking back to all the time the lizard spent snuggled against the exposed skin at his neck.
“A bunch of long, needle-like spikes appeared out of all the jewels on her back,” Amina explained. “I think they must’ve had toxins in them because spiking Lorse’s hand shouldn’t be enough to kill a full grown Ossiso. He also gurgled and twitched before he died.”
“It’s impossible,” Myrum muttered.
“Uh, it’s a fact. I saw her do it,” Amina said, giving him an annoyed look.
“No, I didn’t mean that you weren’t correct,” Myrum said. “It’s that none of us knew. Talins and humans have been living on Kalor for generations, and no one knew that jeweled lizards could do that.”
“You guys didn’t seem to know how smart they are either,” Amina pointed out. “Some of us are better at keeping secrets than others.”
He thought about the way she’d dispatched the Ossisos back on the pleasure ship and then the guard here. “Ruby isn’t the only one who is a lot deadlier than she appears.”
Amina gave him another grin, the tears slowing down to a trickle. “I think I’m good. I mean, not good, but better.”
He assumed she was talking about her mental state. “We can always return here,” he offered.
“I don’t want to ever come back here,” she said. “I want my room on the ship. I don’t care how luxurious this place is, it’s all a lie.”
“I didn’t mean this room or the cleansing unit,” he whispered. “I meant you can always return to my arms. I’m at your side, ready to hold you. To do anything you need.”
“Aww,” she whispered. “I’d like that.”
She wiggled off his lap, and this time when she stood, she was much steadier.
He stood up also and ordered the water off and the sonic water remover to cycle. Within a submark the water was completely gone.
“Ugh, my skin feels a little dry and itchy," she said, looking up at him. “Some nice, fragrant oil would probably help a lot.”
He didn’t understand what she was saying until she pressed her fingers to his cheek and his overfull scent gland released.
Normally this type of touch would be arousing, but right now it felt comforting. When she lowered her hand and rubbed her palms together to spread the oil, their combined scent hit his nose.
He needed more.
Holding her steady, he started with her hair, rubbing his scent gland over her head until her scalp was soaked in oil. It wasn’t enough. He covered her neck, shoulders, and down her arms next. He found bruises all up and down her back and was gentle with those areas.
Dropping to his knees, he methodically rubbed his face against her skin until the only place that wasn’t slathered in oil was the bottom of her feet. After he was done, he looked up to see a calm expression on her bruised face.
“That’s better,” she whispered and leaned over to kiss him.
“Amina!”
Helmen’s bellow made it through the sound proofing in the cleansing unit, telling him nothing could hold back the voice of a concerned Ugarian.
Far from looking scared at her angry captain's voice, Amina's expression was pure relief. “Thank god, something normal.”
Chapter 30
Amina
“Of all the stupid things you could’ve done, you decide to take on an armed and trained Ossiso guard?” Helmen said as she paced, making agitated gestures. “You could’ve gotten killed!”
Amina was used to her captain’s aggravated habit, so she sat calmly on Myrum’s lap sipping tea and waited for Helmen to work through it. Thankfully Helmen held off her reprimand until Gilush could treat Amina and Myrum’s injuries. She still couldn’t lift her arms all the way up, but the pain was gone, and Gilush assured her the issue was temporary.
Even though she wasn’t bothered by Helmen, she felt bad for the Ossisos. They were all huddled in the kitchen area, watching Helmen’s every step.
