“It’s taking a greater time than usual, but that doesn’t mean progress is not happening. Have patience.”
“I have been,” Wyn snapped, tail tightening on my wrist when I started to pull away. I clutched his knee, and his hold relaxed. “I’ve been trying and practicing since I started at the academy.” He dropped his head to his knees. It had to have been unintentional, but his forehead was now resting on the back of my hand and his hair was brushing against my arm.
A light floral fragrance came off him that made me take a deep inhale. Crystal’s light, Wyn smelled amazing.
Bending closer until my hair fell on either side of his face, I whispered, “You are getting better. I promise you, Wyn. I will teach you privately after you’ve been medically cleared, if you’d like.”
“You would?” Wyn asked, looking up. Our faces were a finger’s width apart. His breath came out in harsh bursts as his tail strangled my wrist.
“Yes, Wyn,” I said. His eyes flicked to my lips, and I repeated, “Yes, Wyn.”
He panted, his eyes meeting mine.
Time seemed to stand still as we stared at each other. My instincts demanded I lower my lips to his, bring us together, while my inner fire screamed at me it wasn’t yet time.
But this time, I was willing to ignore my inner fire. I needed to taste Wyn’s lips, and from his expression, he desired the same. I shifted closer, and Wyn moaned, erasing any hesitation I had.
The lift jolted, and I fell back, my butt planting into the floor. The lights flicked on, and a high-pitched voice said, “Commander, we have finished our repairs.”
A snarl about the timing clawed at my throat, but I suppressed it, though my voice was far rougher than usual when I replied, “I understand. Excellent work.”
“Thank you,” the voice said.
Wyn gripped the front of his shirt. “Do you still require my assistance?”
“If you wish to come, I would never turn down your company.”
“I should join Seth and Urgg,” he whispered.
“That’s fine.” But it wasn’t. I wanted to recreate the intimacy we’d found here in my office. Unlike Wyn, I could be patient. For now.
What had just happened? I thought, leaning against the wall in the corridor. Monqilcolnen had almost kissed me, and I would have let him. More than that, I’d wanted it. I’d needed it. That couldn’t happen again. Becoming more comfortable with him and courting him were two very different things. The former was the only thing I was currently comfortable with. Courting him… I’d never dreamed of a permanent relationship, and especially, not with someone from such a higher social status than me. This—we couldn’t happen. No. I had to take control of these burning feelings.
Chapter 18
Jealousy is rather uncomfortable.
It had been three weeks since the incident in the lift, and if possible, it had gotten more awkward between Monqilcolnen and I. At first when we were trapped in the lift, I’d thought the time would help me grow calmer with him, but at the end… Monqilcolnen had almost kissed me. I was sure of it.
And yet, part of me thought I had to be mistaken. There was simply no way Monqilcolnen, sole royal cousin, future member of the Cohort, future royal adviser to the Emperor, wealthy peerage member, and commander in the Planetary Navy, wanted me. It was too arrogant. While I was lovely to look at, I was no one.
Us courting wasn’t a possibility.
However, tension strung tight between us every time we were alone, which was often, as I worked for him. Monqilcolnen also seemed to find excuses to work from his office whenever I was present, but that was coming to an end.
Qinlin had cleared me for regular duty, and all I had to do was take my leave of Monqilcolnen. Yes, I would now be required to take blaster classes, but that was in a group setting. I would not be taking Monqilcolnen up on his offer for private lessons.
While this trip had grown longer since we had to travel to the Vvekian border, I didn’t care, because I wasn’t working for Monqilcolnen any longer. Also I’d applied for one of the jobs on the Vvekian ship. If accepted, I would be able to avoid Monqilcolnen, though I’d miss seeing Seth, Bobbinvoxlyn, and Urgg on a near daily basis. And Cencay would need a new mentor who was on board with them, which did make me rather sad, as I was growing fond of the cadet. I was sure Edith would find a way to poke her tentacles into the Vvekian ship to keep watch over me, so I wouldn’t have to miss her.
Then again, I might not miss seeing my friends. Both Urgg and Seth had noticed the tension between me and Monqilcolnen. Seth thought we’d fought or that Monqilcolnen had started telling the story again. Urgg kept telling me to get drunk with him and all the problems between us would disappear. That was unlikely. Alcohol, Monqilcolnen, and I had rarely mixed well; I refused to vomit on him ever again.
I stepped into the office, and Monqilcolnen looked up. His golden gaze made me squirm, though, oddly enough, the urge to flee had dissipated and had been replaced by a gut-curling, toe-warming, squirmy feeling I didn’t understand. Truly, I didn’t know which sensation was worse.
Cincin meowed, jumping off his broad shoulders and waddling toward me. I crouched and stroked her back. I scratched her chin, and she purred in cat contentment. This I would miss. Ipeeked up at Monqilcolnen, and he was smiling, which sent my soul racing. Maybe Cincin wasn’t the only thing I’d miss.
“Wyn,” he greeted. Since that time in the lift, he’d called me by my name, no title, whether we were alone or with people.
“Commander.”
