I gestured wildly at Zig’s starry katanas as I inched closer to the door, but apparently, my man had once again gone rogue.
Stellarians are such shit stirrers!
“Come in!” he called out, smirking like the devil, and my stomach dropped to my nuts when the door swung wide.
Eek!
The Eki glided into the room, shimmery robes shimmering, but froze when their hooded gaze fell on Ziggy.
“Hey, Leeloo!” Ziggy cheerfully waved, flashing the same charming smile he used to give to the cameras during Deathball tournaments. “Is it time for more training?”
It suddenly became clear what he was doing, other than giving me a heart attack. Zig was feigning ignorance—making it look like we didn’t knowtheyknew he was a Stellarian while also calling the Eki’s bluff.
Since, judging by the tension in this room, they can see his tendrils just fine.
“Yes,” Leeloo finally replied, continuing to watch him intently, and rightfully so, since he was out of his goddamn mind. “However, it would be best if My-kuh trained alone with me today.”
EEK!
It was Ziggy’s turn to freeze. “Where he goes, I go—” he growled, all faux friendliness gone.
“No,” the Eki sternly shut him down. “My-kuh will come with me whileyoustay here to ensure the child doesn’t escape again.”
Okay, so Leeloo is actually the Dommy Mommy, got it.
Ziggy looked like he was about to Hulk out, but Leeloo’s words were having the opposite effect on me. If the Eki hadn’t taken advantage of our separation from Pedro yesterday to capture the creature, they weren’t interested in the Trol, or the karnilian.
“It’s all right, Zig,” I cut in, using mybest Commander Babygirl tone but sticking to the trade language for transparency’s sake. “I need to discuss a few things with Leeloo anyway.”
Despite Ziggy’s paranoia, the Eki weren’t giving me shady vibes. I knew there was a risk with me going alone, but I wanted to play my cards differently than my stellar collision would.
Which means I need to handle this on my own.
A blast of concern shot through our bond as Zig met my gaze from across the room.
You trust me, remember?
My Space Daddy was a pro at appearing unreadable, but I saw the moment he relaxed—the moment he deferred to mefor real.
Thank you.
Leeloo must have also sensed the shift, inclining their head respectfully. “I promise I will return your mate safe and sound, Zig-ee.”
The best my overprotective Stellarian could offer was a tight smile in return, but then Pedro stirred in his arms, and his gaze dropped to the Trol.
“Oh!” I took a step toward them. “Pedro probably needs to eat?—”
“Come, My-kuh. Zig-ee will take care of it,” Leeloo interrupted. “Your mate is an excellent provider.”
I couldfeelSpace Daddy panic through our bond, even though that fool had already admitted he wanted space babies of our own. Still, I held my tongue and obediently followed my teacher outside.
“Forgive me for bringing up the subject again,” Leeloo whispered once we started walking down the street. “I could not resist seeing Zig-ee’s reaction.”
Okay, so the Eki are shit stirrers too.
“He’ll survive,” I huffed a laugh. “I feel better with him watching Pedro anyway, since theydidescape yesterday…”
I was totally leading the witness here, but I wanted to know what Leeloo knew before deciding how to proceed.
