“Thank you,” she says, looking up at me with a sweet, appreciative smile. “That’s very kind of you.”
As we walk down the bridge, I glance over at her small, delicate face.
“I remember you from back on Monri,” I say.
I feel an urge to speak to her, to start some kind of conversation. I’m not sure why, other than the fact that it’s good to have a camaraderie with the other members of the squadron. But I find myself particularly wanting to find out more about her.
Well, of course you do, I tell myself. You don’t know her very well, and you’re well acquainted with everyone else on board. They’re your brothers in arms. She’s still practically a stranger.
But still, it feels somehow stronger than that.
“I remember you too,” Cora offers a little shyly, her cheeks flushing a soft pink color. “You were on guard duty for us more than once. I remember you escorting us to the market multiple times.”
For some reason, the idea that she remembers that pleases me. “Are you enjoying Kalix? Have you been happy there?”
Yes. Definitely.” She answers without hesitation, and I can tell from the tone of her voice that she means it. “It’s… different from what I expected my life to be. But a lot of those differences aren’t bad. Some are really amazing. If I had the opportunity to go back to Earth, I don’t think I’d take it. I’m glad luck or fate or whatever it might be brought me to Kalix. And I’m glad to be on this ship too.” She smiles. “I appreciate you taking me on as a part of the mission.”
“Of course. I follow my king’s commands. But I also believe you will be an asset,” I quickly add. I don’t want her to think I’ve only grudgingly allowed her to be a part of this.
“Thanks. I hope I can be.”
“What did you want to teach, back on Earth?” I glance at her curiously as we turn down the hallway toward the sleeping quarters. “You don’t have to tell me, of course, if you don’t wish to talk about it.”
“Oh no, it’s fine.” She looks up at me, surprise etched clearly on her features. “I’m surprised you remembered that about me though. Honestly, I barely remember mentioning it.”
Despite her startled expression, I can tell that she’s pleased I remembered. I don’t admit that it’s just about the only thing I know about her, and I find myself suddenly wishing that wasn’t the case. I want to know so much more about this woman.
I’m already impressed by how she handled herself in the council meeting, although in truth, I wondered if she would show up in the hangar today. Certainly, no one would have faulted her if she’d thought better of her brash suggestion. But she did show up, and it’s clear that she’s committed. I respect that a great deal.
“I was in the fairly early stages of my education,” Cora admits, “but I wanted to teach psychology eventually. I probably would have started out teaching at a high school—that’s the grade level for teenagers—and then gone on to get the higher-level degrees that would have allowed me to teach at a college level. To teach adults getting their own education.”
She pauses, as if considering whether or not she wants to tell me more. I half expect the conversation to end here and now, but then she keeps talking, entrancing me with her soft, musical voice.
“I was sick, a long time ago,” she says quietly. “I went through therapy as a part of my recovery, talking to experts in psychology and mental health to learn how to cope with my illness. It really helped me, and I wanted to be able to help others in the same way. I’ve always liked teaching others how to do things, so I thought teaching psychology would be a perfect blend of my interests and strengths.”
I’ve been so absorbed in her words that I almost lead her right past the door to her cabin. I stop abruptly in front of it, looking down at her. Inexplicably, as I gaze down at her blue-green eyes, the color of the sea on a bright day, and the soft curls of her light brown hair around her face, I find it almost impossible to tear my focus away.
“It sounds as if you’re always trying to help others,” I tell her, and I can hear the admiration in my voice. I hope that she hears it as well. “We’re truly lucky to have you on this mission.”
She gives me another of those slow, soft smiles, her eyes fixed on mine.
For a long moment, my feet refuse to move. I just stand there and gaze down at her, entranced by the way her irises glitter like jewels. Then I nod to her and turn to go, leaving her there at the door to her quarters.
5
Cora
I watch Druxik as he walks away down the hall, not quite sure what to make of his compliment.
We’re lucky to have you on this mission, he said. I didn’t expect that.
I expected suspicion, even a little pushback from the other members of the squadron regarding my presence among them on this mission. I didn’t expect Druxik to be anything but respectful—but I also didn’t think he’d be so glad to have me here.
I’ve known of him ever since the Kalixian warriors rescued me and the other women from the Orkun. And I know it was, in large part, his piloting abilities that kept us all from dying in the crash on Wauru. His skill enabled us to crash-land safely when we went down on the trading planet. But this is the most I’ve ever spoken to him, including the times he guarded or escorted us on Wauru, and I realize to my surprise that I like it. I like him.
He’s confident—almost bordering on cocky sometimes, like when he did that insane move with the ship when we were taking off. His boldness reminds me a bit of Sorsir. Although he doesn’t seem quite as hotheaded as Autumn’s mate, there’s a sort of brash confidence about him that’s actually pretty sexy. But he can also be sincere and serious, as I saw during the council… and just now.
I walk into the cabin, shutting the door firmly behind me before beginning to put away the few personal items that I brought along with me.
But as I put my clothes in the storage cabinet and set up my toiletries in the tiny shower cubicle, I find my thoughts drifting back to Druxik again and again. He’s one of the tallest out of all the warriors, broad-shouldered and muscular, but the way he towers over me doesn’t make me feel small. Even though he is quite literally looking down on me when we talk, I never feel inferior to him. He respects me, and I don’t know why that surprises me, but it does.
There’s something particularly beautiful about his eyes. They’re nearly black, softening to brown near the iris, with flecks of gold throughout them. I know from the other women that the Kalixian warriors’ eyes shift color sometimes, particularly when they’re aroused, and I can’t help but wonder what Druxik’s eyes look like when he’s turned on.
Do they get brighter or darker?
What would it be like to see those deep, intense eyes looking down at me, shifting colors as he hardened, that chiseled face taut with desire?
Stop it, I chide myself as I slip out of my clothes, getting ready to shower and clean up before dinner in the mess hall. There’s absolutely no reason for you to fantasize about him like this. You’re a member of this rescue team—a professional, dammit. So you should act like one. And there’s no point in dreaming about something you can’t have. You know the mate bond isn’t possible for you. Don’t torture yourself.