Page 67 of Commander’s Mate

Admiral Degatu entered the alcove and stopped beside me.

“She is not with you,” he said.

“No.”

“Good.”

I cut him a look.

“She asked for choice,” he said. “Give her enough room to use it.”

“I intend to.”

“I know you intend to. Intention and behavior occasionally require separate supervision.”

I almost told him what he could do with that supervision.

Instead I looked back at the shield.

“She is solmatu,” I said. “Every instinct I possess tells me to keep her close.”

“Biology is not dishonor. What we do with it can become dishonor.”

“I will not force her.”

“No. But she has no home she can reach, no clan here except the other stolen women, and no knowledge of our laws except what we tell her. If you offer yourself as safety, shelter, desire, and future all at once, can she tell which part she is choosing?”

The answer I wanted was yes.

The answer honor required was not yet.

Degatu saw it in my face.

“Then let her build something that is not you,” he said. “Friends. Work. Purpose. A place aboard ship that does not depend on being your mate.”

That hurt because it was right.

Before I could answer, the wall panel chimed.

“Commander Maktu,” communications said, “passenger Scarlet Andrews requests that Harper Avery be permitted to speak with you. Her phrasing was more colorful.”

Despite everything, my mouth twitched. “Did Harper request it?”

A pause.

“Yes, sir. Scarlet Andrews said she was making sure the request was not lost in command nonsense.”

Degatu smiled. “I like that one.”

“So does Pyrr, apparently.” I had seen my lieutenant looking at Scarlet with the stunned attention of a male whose instincts had just changed his life.

“Tell Harper Avery I will meet her wherever she feels comfortable,” I said. “My office door will remain open unless she asks otherwise. She may bring anyone she wishes.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Degatu looked at me.

“What?”