He flopped on top of me, chest heaving. “Mate.”
I dragged my shaking fingers through his silky hair. “I love you.”
Wyn smiled at me. “I love you.”
The remaining shard of icy fear melted away from the heat of his gaze, and I hugged him close. I didn’t know what was coming, but I knew I was right where I belonged. My inner fire had led me to space, to my fate, to Wyn, and I would never let him go.
Chapter 66
Safety at last.
I looked at the station floating in the distance and wanted to sag to the floor from sheer relief. It had taken so long to get here, longer than I’d ever thought it would, and I couldn’t help but remember all those we’d lost on the way. Their faces still occupied my thoughts daily, and the weight of their deaths plucked at my overwrought soul. The memories wouldn’t fade anytime soon. However, my comrades and friends dying didn’t hold the same amount of grief as losing my parents.
Even though weeks had passed, I cried about them every night in the arms of my mate. Wyn would hold me close as he ran his fingers through my hair, whispering comforting words. Iwouldn’t have survived this without him. I would’ve been lost to my grief without his steady warmth.
It wasn’t only me who wouldn’t have made it this far without Wyn. Noxlyn was in a state of constant panic with Camden barely holding on; Wyn and Seth were the young seeker’s sole comforts. Wyn was trying his best to preserve the medbay systems over others, to protect Camden as well as our other injured crew. This was without mentioning everything he was doing to help with the damage the siscurras had done. Wyn might have caused the issues with NAID, but his assistance with everything was indispensable.
Now, the journey, or this leg of it, was done. We would be safe here. Our injured, including Camden, had a much better chance at surviving with a fully functioning medbay and more medical staff.
Talvax stood, breaking me from my thoughts, and ordered, “Do not dock at the station. We can’t risk infecting it.” She looked at me. “Commander, take a shuttle closer and transport aboard the station to explain the situation.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Take Lieutenant Wyn with you,” she added. “He will know how we can transfer the wounded. I believe Doctor Qinlin will recommend against instant transportation for any of our injured.”
That I very much agreed with. Transporting wasn’t as safe as using a shuttle, and in our current state, theAdmiral Venlacked the energy necessary to transport anyone. Also, I didn’t know if it would risk the AI kill code being transferred to the station. That wasn’t something we could risk regardless of the people who needed medical care.
“Good idea,” I replied.
When I reached the door, a light voice called out, “Commander departing.”
I paused in my step, my soul clenching. Still, after these weeks, I expected to hear Gorgownun’s stern voice, but instead, it was Jin. They had been promoted to Gorgownun’s old position. They were more than qualified, and yet I still didn’t expect them to be standing where someone else once stood.
“Return,” I ordered before heading into the corridor and to a hatch that led to the tunnels. Wyn would probably be in my office, as it was his preferred place to work now. If he wasn’t there, then he would be in the medbay with Noxlyn again. However, I would much rather start with my office, as it was closer. The least amount of time I had to spend in the tunnels, the better.
I stepped into my office and smiled. Wyn was sitting on my couch with a screen on his lap and Cincin curled up by his thigh. He didn’t look up at my arrival, and I wasn’t shocked. Lately he would become entirely immersed in his work, the world fading away. I had to remind him to eat, drink, and take breaks, not that he listened to me. Wyn might acknowledge he wasn’t to blame, but he continued to shoulder it regardless of what I said.
It wasn’t as if I didn’t understand. I felt guilty about not sensing the siscurras sooner, and I shouldn’t. However, emotions weren’t logical.
“Peace,” I said, running my fingers over his braid before tugging on it.
He glanced up and smiled. “Star.”
I cupped his cheek and dragged my thumb over his delicate scales. It didn’t matter we’d been mated for a bit; I still had a hard time believing Wyn was mine. I bent to brush a gentle kiss to his lips. He moaned, opening for me, but I didn’t deepen the kiss.
Wyn pulled back with a frown. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I nuzzled his forehead. “We’ve arrived at the station.”
“That’s good.”
“I’m taking a shuttle closer, and you’re coming with me.”
He twirled a strand of my hair around his finger. “Is this because you need your mate to be close to you or is this about requiring my expertise?”
I still struggled to have Wyn out of my sight, but I was getting better. “Talvax ordered me to take you, and I’m in agreement. We need your understanding of the kill code.”
“It’s evolving. I’m not sureIunderstand it.”
