“Wow, you guys clean up nice,” Ryder says, appearing beside us.
“We have been clean before,” Krish replies. “What makes being clean now ‘nice?”
Ryder chuckles. “It’s just an expression. People use it when they see someone all dressed up sometimes,” Ryder explains. “I’ve just never seen you in anything other than standard issue IPC clothing.”
Zann shrugs. “I would prefer to be naked,” he comments. “But I know it makes humans uncomfortable. And we wanted to look nice for Corrina.”
Ryder nods, and then he looks at me. “I’m sorry that I suspected you of attacking Commander,” he says softly. “I should have known better, but I saw her and the wounds and I just kind of panicked.”
I grip his shoulder and nod once. His apology is not necessary, but it is reassuring to know that he no longer thinks I hurt her. I cannot imagine hurting her. I glance in Corrina’s direction, and smile as I see her making her way towards us.
Ryder chuckles again. “Yeah, I see it now,” he murmurs to himself. “You are crazy about her, aren’t you?”
I nod and release his shoulder, moving towards Corrina. I want to pull her to me and kiss her thoroughly, but for now I settle for wrapping my arms tightly around her. A moment later, I feel Zann and Krish’s arms come around us, and my hearts skip slightly in response.
Chapter Fifty-Four: Zann
“Hey, Zann,” Curran calls to me as we enter through the base gate after our shift at the shipping docks. Though we have only been back on base for a couple days, Corrina has been arranging the necessary documentation for Krish, Davix, and me to have free access to the base. We have not completed the required contract to make us officially her marriage partners yet, but we hope to accomplish that soon.
“Can I talk to you privately for a moment?” he asks.
I tilt my head and regard him curiously. “Of course,” I tell him. I wave Davix and Krish ahead. I can catch up with them in our new quarters before we meet Corrina for dinner. “Is anything wrong?”
“No, not really.” Curran says. He begins to walk away and motions for me to follow him. “I hear you’ve been ring shopping,” he says conversationally.
“Yes,” I nod enthusiastically. “Corrina has explained that it is a symbol of the marriage contract, so I am very excited to wear something to let others know that I am hers. But Krish isconcerned that a ring is such a small thing that others might not notice it.”
Curran chuckles. “You could opt for a ball and chain instead.”
“Is that a normal sign to indicate marriage? Corrina has only talked about rings.”
“You know what, never mind about that. But you should talk to Corrina about other options. Different cultures have different practices.” He stops talking abruptly as a group of soldiers pass by. Curran salutes them and we continue on our way. “You’re readjusting to life on the base?” he asks.
“Yes, it has been an easy transition. We did not own many things, and the owner of our apartment home thought she would find someone else to live there quickly and easily.” I am puzzled by Curran’s questions. These are not the kinds of things that would require a private conversation. Many of these things we have discussed openly with Wenschel and Ryder and others over meals or in passing. Although I will have to ask Corrina about whether a ball and chain would be more appropriate for us than a ring.
“Uh huh,” Curran replies, and then he is suddenly pulling me into a doorway. I am not familiar with this particular building, but from the layer of dust on the equipment stored here, it is not used often. “You care about Corrina, right? Really care about her?” he asks intently.
“Of course,” I reply immediately. “Are you going to threaten me again?” I ask, calmly. Curran has repeatedly told us that hewould make our lives unpleasant or simply end them if we hurt Corrina. At first, I was irritated and insulted, but I realize that it is one of the ways Curran shows his affection for Corrina. And I must admit that the idea of Corrina being hurt – again – makes me very angry. So, I understand and am trying to be patient with Curran’s repeated questions about our feelings for Corrina. “You know it is not necessary. Neither my brood brothers nor I have any intention of hurting Corrina physically or emotionally. I only want to be with her and make her happy.” I pause. “But if it makes you feel better, I will keep telling you this. And you can continue to threaten us.”
Curran gives me a genuine smile. “It’s actually not about that, but I appreciate it. My threat from before still stands.”
“I remember,” I assure him.
“What I’m more worried about is Vertage,” Curran says. Although there is no one around, he glances around and lowers his voice. “He’s not necessarily smart, but he is vicious and vindictive. And he’s directed all of his anger and resources at Corrina.” Curran hesitates. “As you know, he’s scheduled to be shipped off to a detention facility soon. But I worry that with his connections, he will find a way to somehow still get to her. To hurt her.”
A growl escapes my throat. “We will not let that happen,” I snarl.
“I know that you wouldn’t,” Curran says. “But no one of us can be around Corrina all the time.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “I just worry that as long as Vertage is alive, he is a potential threat to Corrina. And I thought that as someone else who caresabout her, you would understand, and maybe even share, my concerns.”
“I do. Thank you for telling me this,” I reply.
“Just trying to look out for her. Except for Yuva, there is no one else in the universe who means more to me than Corrina. I don’t need another scare like the one we had.” With that, Curran reaches up and squeezes my bicep. “Don’t mention anything to Corrina, though. She already accuses me of worrying about her too much.”
“I will not say anything,” I tell him. Curran nods once more and then slips through the door. I stand in silence for a few more minutes, thinking about his words. Although there is much I still do not understand about humans, I have learned that men like Vertage and Lianov do not care who they hurt in their pursuit of money and power. And I have learned that there is nothing I would not do to keep Corrina safe.
???
I do not know how Vertage managed to escape from captivity in the short distance between the base and the secure shipping dock, only that he somehow has. I watch him slink through the shadows towards a small vessel. Krish and Davix are on lookout nearby, so I pause to listen for any signs of danger before following our prey. I smile to myself when I hear arguing coming from the open ramp of the vessel. I raise my hand in a silent signal. A moment later, Krish and Davix appear by my side.
