“Then break the contract,” Sarah said decisively. “The hotel wasn’t that bad, was it?”
“No, but I just want to go home.” The last part came out as a wail and Sarah was suddenly very conscious of Heather’s youth. She couldn’t be more than about twenty-two. The girl started to cry, and Sarah patted her back soothingly while she tried to think of a solution.
“S’rah, you have returned.”
Sarah bit back a groan as T’hadar’s cheerful voice interrupted. She looked up to motion him away, but Heather had already raised her head. Sarah saw the second tear-drenched brown eyes met Yehrin blue.
“Is something wrong? Are you injured?” T’hadar was on his knees in front of Heather, all thought of Sarah obviously forgotten.
“No, I’m fine.” Heather turned a delightful shade of pink, a small smile hovering on her lips.
Oh, lord.
“T’hadar, this is Heather. She is in a breeding contract with T’drago.”
T’hadar paled. “Yes, of course.” He started to climb to his feet, then his gaze hardened. “Did he injure you?”
“No, he didn’t,” Sarah said quickly. “Heather is just feeling a little blue because she misses her home, right, Heather?”
Heather finally tore her gaze away from T’hadar. For a dreadful moment, Sarah was afraid that the girl would repeat her complaints. She suspected it would take very little to send T’hadar after T’drago. Fortunately, Heather nodded obediently.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me. T’hadar, I need you to escort me back to A’rathia.”
“I can call for another escort,” he said, his eyes on Heather.
“I need you, T’hadar,” she said firmly. Did Heather just hiss at her? Ignoring the girl, she repeated, “I need you to escort me.”
To her relief, he stopped staring at Heather and nodded.
“Heather, I’ll be back shortly, and I’ll come find you,” she promised.
As soon as they were out of earshot, T’hadar burst into speech. “She is unhappy. T’drago is mistreating her.”
“He is doing nothing of the kind, and you need to calm down. Do you know T’drago?”
“Yes.”
“Is he an honorable male?” As far as she could tell, that was their highest praise.
“Yes,” he admitted reluctantly.
“Then can you believe that he is not hurting her and let me see if I can find a way out of this mess?”
“You would help me?”
In his excitement, he actually grabbed her hand. Immediately, his cheeks darkened and he dropped it again. He reminded her so much of a bashful puppy that she realized her earlier picture of their potential life together had been seriously flawed
“I apologize, S’rah.”
“Don’t worry about it. And don’t get too excited yet.”
For the second time that day she entered A’rathia’s office. She didn’t bother to dismiss T’hadar this time. Better to have him pacing outside than seeking out Heather.
A’rathia raised an eyebrow. “Do not tell me that you have already managed another attempt to get with child?”
Sarah laughed, even though her clit gave a hungry little pulse at the thought.
“No. So what do you know about breaking a breeding contract?”
By the time the evening rolled around, Sarah was tired, hungry, and annoyed. It had taken most of the day but between them, she and A’rathia had arranged to have Heather’s original contract dissolved and a new one drawn up with T’hadar. It had helped that T’drago was just as unenthusiastic as Heather, although he’d had to bluster and protest enough to save face while Sarah listened patiently. A judicious word from T’rarchar had been the final factor in his agreement, but the whole process had been exhausting. The young couple had already disappeared. Their happiness should have been sufficient reward, but it only reminded her of her T’gana’s unhappiness. What’s more, he still hadn’t returned. If he thought he was going to sneak in after she was asleep, he had another think coming. She would stay awake all night if necessary.
She was staring moodily at the replicator when the door panel opened and T’gana stormed in.
“Why did you do it?”
Chapter Ten
The previous evening
T’gana cradled S’rah closer as she drifted off to sleep. Never had he had such a delightful experience. To have her body rising and falling in front of him, to be able to see the passion on her face, to feel the way she had met his every stroke… His cock, still buried deep in the silken haven of her cunt, jerked at the memory and he felt her body tighten in response, but he would not disturb her rest. Reluctantly, he lifted her free, relieved when she only murmured a sleepy protest. Ignoring the screaming pain in his leg, he twisted around and placed her gently on the bed.
His first attempt to stand was a dismal failure and he was forced to sit back down until the dizziness and pain subsided. The second time, he made it to his feet and managed to stand, despite the sweat streaming down his face. He paused long enough to look back at S’rah. She was so beautiful sleeping there, and he wanted more than he had ever wanted anything in his life to crawl back into bed with her and forget everything. But he couldn’t forget. The memories would return, even in his sleep, and he couldn’t take the chance of hurting her. The events of the day were still cloudy but the image of a blast tube against her cheek haunted him.
She sighed in her sleep and shifted her position. He could see the blue of his seed glistening between her legs. Had it taken root? Part of him desperately hoped that it had—but another part of him prayed that it had not. A child would only deepen the bond between them and make it that much harder to leave her as he must. She shifted again and he knew that he should cleanse her but if he returned to the bed, he did not think he would have the strength to depart. One slow, painful step at a time, he forced himself to leave.
As he stood in the corridor, panting heavily, he tried to decide where to go. There were barracks for warriors on temporary assignment, but he had no intention of waking any traveling warriors with his screams. He had been lucky enough to have slept with S’rah twice without the nightmares, but he doubted it would last. He could spend the night in the mess hall as he had done the previous night but as much as he hated to admit it, he needed to lie down.
“Sub Commander T’gana.”
He whirled, his hand on his weapon, before the voice registered. Fortunately, it had been on his good side and he managed to stay upright as Officer T’bukka approached.
“T’bukka,” he said, despising the strain in his voice.
“Is there an issue with the cabin?”
“No. I have… duties to attend to.”
T’bukka gave a tactful nod, even though they both knew he had no duties and would probably never again be fit for active duty.
What had become of him? Now he was lying to a fellow warrior. T’gana shook his head. “No, I do not. I have no duties. I am concerned that I might harm my L’chka.” How easily the word slipped out when he did not have to face the consequences.
“I see.” There was no judgement on T’bukka’s face. “Where are you going to sleep?”
“I was just considering that,” he admitted.
“I believe that your possessions were retrieved from storage,” T’bukka said. “That means your flyer is in the hangar.”
His flyer? It was not designed as a residence but there would be room to lay down and, most importantly, privacy.
“That is an excellent suggestion. Thank you.”
“Shall I accompany you?”
His pride protested, but he remembered the distance to the hangar and the condition of his leg. His pride would be even more damaged if he was found collapsed on the floor, unable to stand.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“There is no need to thank me,” T’bukka said as they began the long walk. “I remember when you arranged that leave for me when my mother was ill.”
“Any commanding
officer would have done the same.”
“No, they would not. It meant a great deal to me.”
He bit back the desire to protest again and simply said, “I am glad.” Then he concentrated on the walk.
Waking on the floor of the flyer was not the most pleasant experience. His entire body ached, and he thought longingly of a comfortable bed with S’rah tucked against his side. But despite the aches and the hard floor, he felt somewhat better. The pain in his leg had subsided and he was capable of walking without too much difficulty, although he had a noticeable limp. Yehrin bodies could recover from so much and he knew his leg would eventually heal—to a certain extent. Just not enough for him to ever resume duty.
Despite that knowledge, he headed for the training rooms, only to find himself in the corridor outside his cabin. Was S’rah still asleep? Perhaps he could sit and watch over her.
“Sub Commander T’gana.”
He barely managed not to flinch. Unfortunately, this time it was not T’bukka but the young T’hadar addressing him. He had seen the way the officer looked at S’rah. A growl started to rise but he forced it back down.
“Yes, Officer?”
“Is S’rah awake? Is there anything I can get for her? I mean for the two of you?”
“Are you suggesting that I can not provide for my female?”
“No, of course not. I had heard that you were injured but I can see that you are quite fine now.” The youngster thankfully wound to a halt.
T’gana stared at him, so young and healthy, capable of providing S’rah with whatever she desired. Perhaps she should have taken him instead. No. S’rah belonged to him, even if he could only be with her for this short period of time.
“I am going to train,” he growled, and stalked off before he sent the impudent youngster flying and showed S’rah that he was the only male for her.
The day did not improve from there. All of the private training rooms were in use and he could not face the thought of training in one of the common rooms. Everywhere he went, he felt as if he were being watched, and pitied. Twice he returned to the cabin, unable to stay away, and S’rah was not there. The final blow occurred when a training room opened up. He went to sign in and the officer in charge shook his head.
“Sorry, sir. The medic has you on medical restriction. You are not allowed to train.”
With a frustrated growl, he went in search of A’rathia.
She merely raised an eyebrow when he roared at her.
“Your mate suggested it and she is quite right. You do not need to aggravate your leg by training.”
S’rah had suggested it? He scowled at the medic. “My leg is fine.”
“Your leg is not fine and if you keep pushing it, you will lose it entirely.”
He would rather die.
“No, you would not,” she snapped, and he realized he had spoken aloud. “And you had better not even consider doing that to your L’chka.”
“She is not my L’chka,” he said, even though every atom of his being protested.
“Of course, she is. You may be too stubborn to admit it, but we all know it is the truth. Now go see her before she wears a hole in the ship worrying about you.”
Chastened, he headed for the cabin but as he limped along, he kept returning to the ban. He had trained every day since he was twelve years old. Even in the hospital he had resumed his exercise as soon as he was conscious. But now his mate thought that he was too weak? Shame was replaced by anger. By the time he reached the cabin, his frustration and pain had coalesced into an angry ball that exploded as soon as he opened the door and saw her standing there.
“Why did you do it?”
“What was I supposed to do?” she snapped, her pleasant mask completely missing. “The breeding contract had to be dissolved.”
The room reeled around him as his worst fears came true. His anger vanished in a wave of pain. His damage was too great for her to endure, even for thirty days.
“You dissolved our contract,” he repeated, his voice numb.
“What? No, of course, I didn’t.”
“You did not dissolve the contract?”
“I didn’t dissolve our contract. I did dissolve Heather’s. Well, I didn’t actually do it, I just helped them get it settled.”
His relief was so great that his knees weakened and S’rah frowned. “Sit down before you fall down.”
Her assumption of his weakness annoyed him, but in truth his legs were shaking. With a disgruntled huff, he collapsed into one of the chairs.
“You were not this bossy before,” he muttered.
“You weren’t the same either,” she said, and pain shot through him. Despite his efforts to hide it, she saw his reaction. “And I didn’t mean it like that. I didn’t realize you were so stubborn and pig-headed.”
“I do not have an animal’s head.”
“It means you won’t act in your own best interest. Why the hell would you try and train?” His anger started to return but she was still yelling. “And why did you leave me again?”
The catch in her voice brought an abrupt halt to his anger, especially when he saw the water sparkling in her eyes. This too was not like the S’rah he had known before, but as much as her pain disturbed him, he found he preferred her honest emotions. She deserved his in return.
“It was not safe for me to stay,” he admitted.
“Not safe? What do you mean?”
He did not want to answer, did not want to reveal more of his damage, but he owed her honesty.
“I have nightmares,” he confessed.
Her face softened. “I know.”
“How do you know?”
“You had one the first night we were together.”
He gave her a horrified stare. “I did?”
“Yes, but I woke you up.”
“I did not hurt you?”
“Of course not. You made lo—you had sex with me.”
His cock went on full alert as the memory washed over him, but he forced it down. “You shouldn’t have done that. I could be dangerous.”
“If anything, my presence seems to calm you down. You have never harmed me, and I don’t believe you ever will.”
Her faith overwhelmed him. “Thank you, my L—” He cut off the word, and she sighed.
“Why won’t you say it?”
“Say what?”
“L’chka. It’s how you feel, isn’t it?”
He should deny it, but he could not lie to her—did not want to lie to her.
“It is. But I can not claim you.”
“Why not?”
“I am a damaged warrior. No, not even a warrior. I no longer have a purpose or anything to offer you.”
She studied his face, but to his surprise, and perhaps his disappointment, she didn’t argue. Instead, she prowled restlessly around the small room.
“Does the breeding contract require that we stay here?”
“In this cabin? No. Do you wish me to escort you around the ship?” The thought made him cringe. His experiences today had made him increasingly self-conscious. And what if some other warrior was seduced by his S’rah’s beauty and thought he was too weak to keep her? He would fight to the death for her, but he knew he was not at his full strength.
“No. I don’t like anything about this ship. It’s too hard and bleak and confined.”
“I see. You feel trapped?” He understood that all too well, the black rock hovering over him.
“Yes. Silly, isn’t it? I know how big the ship is but the whole time I’ve been on it, I’ve felt like I was being squeezed.”
Reaching for the control panel, he opened the view port. A brilliant vista of stars with the Earth hanging far below filled the rear wall. “Is that better?”
“T’gana! Why didn’t you tell me there was a window?” She moved over to the port, the reflection illuminating her beautiful face.
“I did not realize that it was important to you.” And he had preferred the ability to plunge t
he cabin into total darkness.
“Thank you,” she said. “It does help.”
She made a move in his direction, a soft smile on her face, and for a moment he hoped she would come to him, but instead she turned to the replicator. “Have you eaten?”
“No.” He had not been hungry since he had awoken in the hospital.
“I learned to use one of these at the hotel, but I don’t know any Yehrin dishes.”
He shrugged. “I am not difficult to please.” He had lived for a week on raw rodent flesh. Nothing she prepared would be worse than that.
Chapter Eleven
T’gana was tempted to reconsider that thought when S’rah proudly presented him with a brown disk topped by circles of bright red and a white oozing substance.
“What is this?” he asked, trying to conceal his doubt in view of her obvious pleasure.
“It’s pizza. Try it.”
He brought a piece suspiciously to his face, but the smell was surprisingly pleasant, and he took a bite.
“Don’t burn your tongue,” she warned, too late. He frowned at her but as the burn dissipated, the taste filled his mouth and he realized that it was delicious. For the first time since returning from Klendat, he found himself hungry.
“Apparently, you enjoyed that,” she said a few minutes later, smiling at him from across the table. A flush of embarrassment crossed his face as he realized that he had eaten the entire disk.
“Did I eat your portion?” he asked, horrified.
“That’s the beauty of a replicator. I can easily make more.”
Despite his attempt to eat more slowly, the second disk disappeared almost as rapidly. S’rah did not seem bothered. She only laughed and produced a third one.
When he finally sat back, he felt more satisfied than he had in a long time. It was not just the food, although the meal was far more satisfying than the nutritional supplements he had forced himself to consume. It was sharing a meal with her in a place that was their home, no matter how temporary. He wanted to give her that same feeling of peace. She had turned to look out at the stars once more and he studied her face.
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