Did she really want to fight about something as incidental as clothing? There were still places on Earth that frowned on females wearing pants. She was the visitor. It was her responsibility to adhere to their customs. With forced nonchalance, she shrugged. “Who am I to argue with tradition?” He said nothing more, so she turned and headed for the bathroom.
“You smell different. Did you shower?”
His terse words halted her retreat. She looked back at him with dread in her eyes. “Did I wash away your scent? I didn’t even think about that when I indulged the impulse.”
Possessive pleasure ignited his gaze as he shook his head. “Your skin absorbed my scent. It will take more than a shower to get rid of me. I was wondering how you managed to activate the spray.”
It wouldn’t have been a horrible thing if they’d had to return to bed and reestablish the mark. Still, she was glad her bathing habits wouldn’t be compromised by the need for his protection. “I asked the computer for the proper command and the shower just kicked on when the phrase was uttered.”
“Bandar has been working on an English interface, but his efforts have been sort of hit and miss.”
“Well, luckily for me, the main computer understood enough of what I said to make the shower work.”
He just nodded, so she ducked inside the bathroom. She wasn’t sure why he was acting so strangely. He didn’t seem to regret marking her. In fact his expression came alive when he mentioned her skin absorbing his scent. So why did she sense an emotional barrier that hadn’t been there the night before?
Ashley had sent simple sandals and a flowing summer dress. Definitely not Indigo’s usual style, but anything was better than staying cooped up in Zilor’s cabin. The dress had a built-in bra and laces in back that would allow her to personalize the fit. She took off the borrowed shirt and slipped into the dress, then realized she’d need help with the laces.
After pausing long enough to put on the sandals, she returned to the outer room. “Can you adjust the laces for me? Ashley’s built a bit differently than I am.”
Zilor turned from the food system as she reached his side. She presented her back and drew her hair over her shoulder. His fingers brushed across her shoulder then traced the indentation of her spine until it was blocked by the dress. Rather than tightening the laces, he moved one hand to her arm and slid the other back up to the nape of her neck.
“What’s wrong?” she asked when the silence lengthened. “Are you in trouble for bringing me here?”
He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back against his body. “I marked you so you’d have the freedom needed to treat Chandar, but my body can’t seem to accept that you’re not really mine.”
She tensed even though her body was bombarding her with similar signals. “I’d be willing to be your lover, but I don’t want a mate.”
“I know.” He sighed and released her then tugged on the laces. “You’ve made your position clear from the beginning.”
“Not quite that tight.” She smiled as the material threatened to slit down the front. He made a quick adjustment then his knuckles brushed her back as he tied off the laces. “Thank you.”
“Procedures require that your other potential matches be notified,” he muttered as he turned back toward the food system. “Because there are so many, the list will be prioritized according to personality traits and individual preferences.”
“What’s the point of prioritizing the list if I have no intention of choosing a mate?”
He handed her a mug filled with a steaming beverage. “Hopefully, one of us will be able to change your mind.”
“If you haven’t been able to change my mind, do you honestly believe anyone else will?”
The corners of his mouth twitched as if he was fighting back a smile then his lips pressed into a grim line. “What about Garin? He has power and wealth, not to mention prestige. Do you honestly think you can resist all the general has to offer?”
“Why did you bring up your brother?” He just looked at her expectantly. “Garin is on the list?”
“He is.”
“Which is why you’re in such a shitty mood.”
He didn’t deny it as he led her to the table. The plate he set down held a stack of buttered toast and several pastries along with a pile of scrambled eggs. “You need something more than toast.”
“Garin isn’t even in this star system. Why do you feel threatened by him?” She slipped onto one of the chairs and took a sip of the civata brew. “Wow. That has a kick to it. I can see why Ashley wrinkled her nose.”
“Would you like something else? There are beverages similar to herbal tea.”
She took another, more daring sip. “I hated coffee the first time I tried it and now I can’t get enough. I think I can adjust to this.”
He seemed reluctant, but he sat, immediately averting his gaze. He muttered a phrase she didn’t understand and the large gray panel beside the table suddenly displayed the wide concourse that ran perpendicular to the ship and an angled slice of the outpost beyond.
“I wondered how you kept from going crazy in here. Will that display anything you want?”
“More or less. It can display any image in the archive or a live feed from any of the ship’s cameras.”
“Nifty.” She speared a wad of eggs with her fork, but hesitated. “What sort of eggs are these?”
“Cyatta. It’s a common water fowl not unlike Earth’s ducks. If you hadn’t stopped to ask, I doubt you’d have noticed the difference.”
With an almost convincing shrug, she tasted the eggs and was pleasantly surprised to find he was right. The flavor was a bit richer than chicken eggs, but nothing she couldn’t handle. She ate for a moment in silence, deciding whether to explore his annoyance or change the subject. Her curiosity finally won out and she asked, “Is it just Garin or are there others you’re afraid I won’t be able to resist?”
“Garin is my older brother. It’s his right to choose a mate before me.”
She shook her head and took a drink of civata brew, using the bold flavor as a momentary distraction. “If Garin wants me, but I prefer you. Do I have any say in the outcome?”
She’d expected the question to please him. Instead, he seemed even more uptight. “You haven’t even met him yet. You can’t dismiss him so lightly. Garin is impressive.”
“I have no doubt, but answer the question.”
“If Garin wants you, I will withdraw from consideration. My loyalty and my honor demand that I bow to his needs.”
She munched on a piece of toast before she reminded him, “I don’t want a mate so what Garin wants doesn’t really matter. I’ll keep saying it until you believe me. I’m here for Chandar.” She finished the eggs and most of two pieces of toast then pushed the plate aside. “When can I meet her?”
“As soon as we finish in the infirmary. I asked Raylon to introduce you. It doesn’t guarantee a warm reception, but it betters your chances that she’ll at least acknowledge your existence.”
“Then let’s get moving.” She set down the mostly empty mug and stood. “Which way to the infirmary?”
“It’s on this deck, but it’s all the way aft.”
She followed him out into the corridor and they headed toward the back of the ship. “How many decks are there? For that matter, how many crewmembers?”
“Four decks and almost four hundred crewmembers.”
“I don’t know much about ships much less spaceships. Is that big?”
He laughed. “Depends on your frame of reference. Compared to the Phantom, the Crusader is massive. Yet compared to the Undaunted, she’s tiny.”
“Is the Phantom your ship?”
“Technically, all of the ships belong to the crown.”
“I meant was she the ship you used to bring me here?”
“Yes.”
She had to hurry to keep up with his long strides. “And the Undaunted is Garin’s ship.”
“Yes. He comman
ds six thousand men.” Her eyes widened and he shook his head. “I told you he’s impressive.”
“And I told you it doesn’t matter if he’s the most eligible bachelor in the galaxy. I don’t want a mate.”
Challenge shaped his expression and his steps became more like a march. “We’ll see how long your determination lasts after you’ve met him.”
She grabbed his arm and waited for him to look at her. “Has he done it before?”
“Done what?”
“Stolen your girlfriend?”
He stopped walking and pivoted to face her. “Why would you ask?”
“Instinct.” In fact, she’d always had remarkably accurate instincts about hidden motivations. She’d learned long ago that people sometimes communicated more with the tone of their voice and their body language than the words they uttered.
“Battle born soldiers don’t have ‘girlfriends’, but you’re on the right track. Many females have pretended to be interested in me so they could get closer to Garin.”
Even though he was confirming her suspicion, the concept seemed farfetched. “It’s hard to believe anyone would have to pretend to be interested in you.”
“Why?” His tone grew sharper than it had ever been before. “You said it yourself. I might be good enough to be your lover, but never your mate.”
She was finally getting a more accurate picture of what was bothering him. “That’s not what I said.” And yet, it basically was what she’d said. “It’s not a matter of ‘good enough’. I’m not ready to commit to anyone right now. That includes Garin.”
Without bothering with a reply, he resumed his trek down the long hallway.
They passed a double door inset with large windows. Indigo only caught a glimpse of the large, multi-level room beyond the doors but it was enough to make her stop and go back for a longer look. “What is this?” The area was a giant spiral of smaller rooms. Some areas along the ascending walkway were no more than alcoves with a table and four chairs. The bottom level was a large dining room and the upper level was enclosed, the lighting softer.
“It’s called the central court. It’s where the crew takes their meals and holds most planning sessions.” He pointed to the top level. “That’s the Starlight lounge.”
“Alcohol is served on a military vessel?”
“Even soldiers are off duty from time to time.” When she had no other questions, he took her by the hand and led her down another long, narrow corridor. “Kotto wants Chandar moved to a small, private building inside Lunar 9. It’s called the Pavilion. You’ll have quarters there too, so she won’t be alone.”
“And the two unmated females will no longer disrupt the ship?”
Zilor grinned. “He didn’t come right out and say that.”
“I’m sure it was implied.” She had no problem with the arrangement, but she wasn’t sure Chandar would agree. “What about Raylon? I thought she was obsessed with him.”
“We’re hoping she’ll allow him to move into one of the adjacent suites. That way he’ll be nearby, but not actually in the same room like he is now.”
“I’ll do my best to convince her, but no promises.”
They finally reached the infirmary, a large circular room with the nurses’ station in the center. Zilor introduced her to Dr. Irron. He was a friendly man with graying hair and green eyes.
“It’s nice to meet you, Indigo,” the doctor said with a warm smile. “I’ve never known anyone with that name.”
“My mother has a flare for the dramatic.” She searched his gaze for any hint of Rodyte phitons, but found none. “You’re not Rodyte?”
“Only half. My mother was human.”
Not sure if her questions were considered rude or not, she looked at Zilor. “Aren’t the battle born only half Rodyte?”
“We are,” he agreed.
“But everyone I’ve seen has phitons.”
“Our mothers were Bilarrian, and Bilarrians also have phitons.”
Dr. Irron hooked his arm around hers and guided her away from Zilor. “Surely we can find something more interesting to talk about than Zilor’s genetics.”
“All right.” She followed him to one of the treatment tables, which had been lowered so she could sit on the end without having her feet dangle over the edge. “Have you been able to examine Chandar or is she still too skittish?”
“She’ll have to calm down considerably before she’s skittish. She spoke briefly to Kotto during the rescue, but the only person she acknowledges now is Raylon.”
“In other words, I’ve got my work cut out for me?”
“And then some.” Despite his pessimistic warning, compassion warmed his gaze. He arranged several cylindrical objects on the tray beside the treatment table.
“What are those?”
“This one is the standard off-world vaccination each soldier receives except it has been altered for human physiology. It will eradicate any diseases currently in your system and protect you from future exposure.”
“The pharmaceutical companies will make damn sure that never reaches Earth.” He sprayed her upper arm with a cool, wet mist then pressed the injector against the area he’d just sprayed. She felt an instant of discomfort, but nothing more.
“The pharmaceutical companies on Rodymia resisted as well until they realized how much money could be made developing and manufacturing the inoculations.” He held up the next injector. “This contains com-bots. They’ll allow you to send and receive messages. It also contains translator nanites.”
“Will I be able to speak Rodyte or just understand it?”
“Speaking requires some practice, so don’t get discouraged. But you should start understanding what’s being said around you right away.”
He made it sound so simple. She was anxious to see if it really was that easy. “Do I need to turn on the com-bots or are they always active?”
“Operating them is mostly intuitive, but Zilor can help you figure out how to shield messages and filter out unwanted noise.”
She tensed as he walked around to the other side of the table. “Have they been altered for humans too?”
“They haven’t, but they can’t make alterations to your brain so they can be used in a wide variety of species.” The second injection stung even more than the first, but the discomfort faded quickly. After administering the injection, he returned to his original position on her left. “This one is optional.” He held up the third injector.
“What’s in it?”
“Medi-bots. They boost your natural immune system and mend minor injuries.”
“What about major injuries?”
“You’re a greedy little thing, aren’t you?” He laughed. “Medi-bots will stabilize a patient suffering a major injury long enough for them to be treated with regeneration or—”
“Regeneration? You have something on board this ship capable of regeneration?”
Before the doctor could answer, Zilor crossed to the treatment area and stood in front of her. “We can return later for an in-depth tour, but Kotto wants Chandar moved as soon as possible.”
“Has Chandar agreed to move to the Pavilion, or is that part of our mission?” Indigo asked.
Dr. Irron held off Zilor’s answer with an upraised hand. “Yes or no on the medi-bots?”
“What did Ashley and Raina choose?”
“I can’t divulge patient information,” Irron told her. “You’ll have to ask them.”
Zilor smiled then said, “Luckily, I’m not bound by the same oath. Ashley and Raina are both participating in a program that requires medi-bots. Ashley started the program yesterday and Raina intends to begin in a few days as long as there are no complications with Ashley.”
“Does this program have something to do with giving their mates access to magic?”
“Yes.”
Irron’s gaze narrowed as he listened to the exchange. “How much have you been told? Has your blood been tested?”
She looked from Zilo
r to Irron then back, unsure how much the doctor needed to know.
“She’s positive,” Zilor said, “which is no surprise. Her mother and Raina’s are identical twins.”
Before the conversation became completely sidetracked, she told the doctor, “I’d like to hold off on the medi-bots until I have time to talk to Ashley and Raina.”
Irron nodded and set down the injector. He seemed more interested in the new topic anyway. “Did Zilor run your genetic profile through our database?”
Indigo sighed. Zilor was too honorable to lie, so she blurted, “Seventy-three names came up as genetic matches.” She glanced at the nurses’ station and, not surprisingly, found she now had the attention of everyone in the infirmary.
The doctor looked at Zilor. “Did you double check your findings?”
“Of course, but we were on the Phantom when I ran the tests. There’s a small possibility you’ll end up with a different result.”
“The mobile testers are slow, but accurate. I’ll verify your findings, but I’ll be shocked if I end up with a different result.” He motioned to his subordinates and they went back to work. “Have any of the matches been notified?”
“Just the one who ran the tests.” Zilor’s voice dropped to barely above a whisper.
The doctor moved closer as he asked, “Then you’re the one who marked her?”
The question seemed to surprise Zilor. “I didn’t think you could sense that sort of thing.”
“I can’t, but my technicians can and it was obvious from their reactions that she’d been marked.”
“Yes, I marked her.”
“It was a precaution only,” Indigo stressed. “I’m here as a therapist. I’m not interested in mating with anyone.” The men exchanged knowing looks and Indigo scowled. “Believe what you like. I’m here for Chandar.” She scooted off the end of the table, which brought her within inches of Zilor. The advantage of standing this close was she couldn’t see his amused expression.
“A couple of her matches were elite officers. Was their inclusion intentional or did Sental forget to purge anyone who wasn’t battle born?” Zilor and the doctor easily continued the conversation over her head.
“We left them in intentionally. They’re risking as much, if not more, than the battle born by supporting the rebellion. Do you disagree?” Irron sounded a bit defensive, but his expression remained calm.
Zealot Page 10
