Following the instruction, Krystal fought the black spots that swum across her vision. She thought she had seen the real T’arq; the kind and caring man who took the time to learn her favorite color and program a replicator to create a flight suit to fit her perfectly. She smoothed a hand down the deep purple suit.
“You might also want to ask him about those eyes of his.”
“His eyes?” What did T’arq’s eyes have to do with anything? “I know they’re unusual, but he is an alien.”
Amelia smiled grimly. “Taureans don’t have purple eyes, Krystal.”
Had it all been a ruse? How much was the real T’arq and how much was a cover for… well, what exactly? If she was to believe what Amelia was saying, then there was a lot she didn’t know.
She lifted her head and met the other woman’s pale blue eyes. “I need to speak with him.”
* * *
The shuttle was too small to have a bridge like a starship, but big enough to have sleeping quarters, the tiny medical bay where she’d woken up, a cargo hold, and a galley. It was in the galley that she found T’arq, slumped over a steaming cup of coffee.
He looked up as soon as she entered the cramped space, his face wary and closed as if he expected admonishment from her. He pushed to his feet and rounded the small table where he sat. “Coffee?”
“Please.” The wary politeness hung thick in the air.
Krystal sat at the table, across from where T’arq’s mug sent spirals of steam into the cool galley. The seats were Taurean sized, like everything she had come across, and Krystal had to heave herself up to sit and, instead of letting her feet dangle, she tucked them up underneath her.
T’arq turned after filling her cup from the carafe tucked behind a clear, sealed door. He caught her puzzled look. “It prevents spills.”
“Oh.” That made sense. The more that Krystal learned about the practical side of Taurean inventions, the more she felt at home here. Or had.
“So—” T’arq began, sliding the mug toward her.
“I—” Krystal said at the same time.
They both laughed nervously, the tension diffusing a little.
“You go first,” Krystal offered.
T’arq wrapped his hands around the mug, flexing his broad fingers as he stared into the dark liquid. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but shook his head and took a sip instead. He avoided her eyes as he put the mug down, looking everywhere but at her.
“You were right.”
“About what?”
He finally looked at her, his lilac eyes sad pools. “I got you into this.”
Krystal picked up her coffee mug and breathed in the familiar aroma. It smelled divine. Thankfully. There were few things worse in this galaxy than awful coffee. She took a long sip, savoring the flavor of the drink before swallowing and carefully placing her mug back on the table. “No. I got me into this.”
He shook his head. “You said it yourself. You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me.”
That was true, yes, but had he misunderstood her completely? “Yes, T’arq, but—”
He scowled. “Krystal, I almost got you killed. I sent you on a one-way spacewalk. The chances of you coming out of that alive were slim to fucking none!”
She paled, but her gaze held steady. “It was my choice to come on the test flight.”
He ran a hand over his hair, sending blonde curls in every direction. “I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
“T’arq, look at me.” She ducked her head to meet his reluctant gaze. “Where are we right now?”
He looked puzzled, but checked his comm. “In the galley of a shuttle, about thirty minutes from the Zataras.”
“Exactly.” She sat back against the seat, one leg up on the seat and an arm looped casually around her knee.
