"Hmm?" Midori asked, bringing her attention back to his gaze.
"You're shivering."
Midori was aware of how closely she was pressed against his body. She pushed herself up, gaining a little more space, though she was still sitting on Cael's lap.
"Yes. It's cold, isn't it?" Midori closed her eyes and mentally slapped herself.Such a smooth talker you are. You sound like an idiot.
Cael slipped off his black and silver leather vest and wrapped it around Midori's shoulders. "I know it's not your size, but it should be better than nothing."
With his blue naked chest in front of her, her eyes were drawn to the intricate blue-black tattoos etched on his chest and shoulders. She couldn't quite tell what they were from this position, but her fingers itched to trace them across his torso.
Midori forced herself to look away and pulled Cael's vest closer around her body. It was as big as a dress on her slight frame, and the four arm holes were strange to say the least, but she was touched by his thoughtfulness. She wrapped the fabric around her, still warm from Cael's body, and breathed in the scent of him. He smelled of aged leather and sandalwood, both earthy and musky scents, but there was also something else. A hint of vanilla? Her nose picked up on the sweet aroma and breathed it all in, taking comfort in the familiar spices.
"I don't think you're concussed. But tell me if you become dizzy or sleepy. This should help with the pain." Cael's voice brought her out of her reverie.
He sprayed something on the back of her head, and immediate relief washed over her. With the pain managed, her thinking was more clear.
"Is it safe to climb out? Or should we stay here in case help is coming?"
Cael's arms shifted. His tail flicked back and forth, but he said nothing for several seconds. When Midori looked up at him, his face was pensive, as if he wanted to tell her something but wasn't sure he should. Or was she just imagining it?
"Midori, I'm going to do whatever I can to get you home."
Midori wasn't sure what she'd expected Cael to say, but it wasn't that. Wasn't he some sort of mobster working for a big-wig slave trader? Over her weeks on board the ship, she'd heard the guards talking. She knew someone named Lord Krissayr was expecting to collect her and the two other Earth women.
"Why would you do that?"
A look of shame covered Cael's face, and he looked away again. "Because it's the right thing to do."
"Oh . . . thank you."
Her stomach tightened. What did this mean? How could he get her back home? If he was keeping her away from this Lord Krissayr guy, then wouldn't he come looking for them both?
"First things first. We need to find some shelter. The pod's homing device should still function, despite the other interfaces being non-operational. I can't tell exactly where we are or which way we should go, but I know if we stay here, eventually someone is going to lock onto the homing beacon and come searching. It might be someone who wants to help, or it might be scavengers. Either way, it will be safer if we're not here when anyone else arrives."
"Sounds fine to me. It's pretty cramped in here anyway."
Cael slipped his arms aside, and Midori immediately regretted her words. She hadn't meant anything by them.
Cael opened a hatch hidden inside the pod and pulled out a shiny black bag. He filled it with a few things he pulled from the ship, then climbed over the side of the escape pod, shouldering his blaster.
"Here, let me help you," he said, holding his four arms out to assist her from the ship.
Midori took two of his hands in her own while he wrapped his two lower hands around her waist and helped her to the ground. The terrain was slippery, and her tennis shoes slippedon the purple-hued snow, sending her falling backward. Cael's grip was firm, and he held her fast.
"Careful there."
"I'm not used to this kind of place," she said with a shiver and mentally cringed again.Duh. You're on an alien planet.
A hint of a smile tugged on the corner of his mouth, and Cael nodded before releasing her. "Nor am I. We'll have to take care of each other, then."
Midori nodded, feeling better about herself. Maybe she didn't sound like an idiot after all.
A high-pitched howl filled the air, sending shivers up Midori's spine and making her hair stand on end.
"What was that?"
"I do not know, but I'd rather not find out by running into it. Let's get moving. Here, let me help you."
