“Problem?”Gryffnn asked, one dark brow arching.
“My pilot requires his dinner.”Gweneth smiled sweetly at Gryffnn.“He gets cranky if his blood sugar is low.”
Another growl escaped before he could contain his feline.The woman would drive him to madness, and his cat disliked this Gryffnn character and his flirtation with Gweneth.
“You had better make sure he eats then.My brother will interpret his growls as rudeness.”Gryffnn’s eyes shifted even farther to dragon.“I look forward to the morrow.Over and out.”
Ellard growled without restraint as the male’s visage blinked off the communications screen.“I dislike that man.”
“Control yourself.We’re not going to achieve our objective with you grunting and growling all over the place.This is important to me, Ellard.This is my idea, and I want my new home to prosper.Ry and Camryn, and the rest of theIndycrew feel the same.Most of us have never had a permanent home before, and we want to fit in.”
Ellard stared at her impassioned face, and guilt slithered through him.She thought of her friends and of others—strangers—who would look down on her because she couldn’t shift.He thought of himself.
“I’m sorry.”He tried not to choke on the words.“My feline is rattled and unsettled because of the sabotage.You’re right.This is an important mission.I promise I’ll do my best to help you.”
Gweneth gave a clipped nod and released her safety harness.“Would you mind if I take the first rest break?I’ll bring you something to eat before I retire.”
“You don’t have to wait on me.”
“I know.I’m getting myself something to eat, and it will be no trouble to prepare food for you at the same time.”
“Thank you.”He turned back to the navigational equipment, scanning and rescanning the instruments even though he knew the ship was flying in the right direction now.Although theGallantlimped at half-pace after colliding with pieces of debris, he felt confident they would make their destination on the morrow.Whether he’d arrive with all his hair intact was another matter since he couldn’t stop thinking about Gweneth and her kisses.Surely she wouldn’t expect him to kiss her tomorrow?
His feline shoved a growl past his restraint, and Ellard groaned in sympathy.The woman had thrown him off balance and had his feline in a tempest.
Back at the castle, it had been easier to ignore her.But here…here on theGallant,the tighter quarters offered no escape from her determination, her force-of-nature personality, her beauty.
“I brought soup.”Gweneth appeared, following the silent float table that bore his meal.“I’ll set my comp pad alarm for three parts of a cycle.You should have some rest too.I know how to fly the ship, and you’re close if I have any difficulties.”
Ellard nodded agreement since it beat arguing.His feline registered her retreat, listening until her footsteps entered the sleeping chamber.His shoulders slumped in relief.Anything to get her away from him, to give himself a chance to think, to regroup.Maybe he’d contact Jarlath and plead for advice.He didn’t trust his thoughts or emotions anymore, not after Mareeka and Marjo.
Betrayal.
No.He couldn’t compare this situation with Gweneth.She was young, not far into womanhood, and she didn’t seek to overthrow the House of the Cat.
Ellard commed Jarlath and prayed his friend would answer.A sleepy Keira came on screen, her brown hair tousled, the cheeks of her pale green face flushed with a darker green, and her lips swollen.An equally disheveled Jarlath popped into view beside her, his chest bare.
Ellard groaned.“I’m sorry.I’ve interrupted.I’ll call another time.”
“It’s all right,” Keira said.
“What do you want?”Jarlath growled.His friend refrained from using the same niceties as his mate.
“I…” Ellard swallowed and wished he’d thought twice before contacting his friend.
Keira cocked her head, reminding him of her crow status with the birdlike movement.“Did you want to speak with Jarlath alone?”
“I did, but I’ve changed my mind,” Ellard blurted when Keira started to back away.“I…I’m confused.”
Jarlath and Keira stared at him, and why shouldn’t they?He’d never admitted to anything like this before.
“Gweneth?”Keira asked with a smile that held a healthy serving of amusement.
“Yes!I kissed her, and I don’t want to do that again.”He rubbed his hands over his face and tried again.“I mean, I do, but I shouldn’t.”
“What does Gweneth say?”Keira asked.
At least she’d reined in her laughter.Jarlath didn’t even try, his chuckle unrestrained.
