“I’m not sure where you are.”
“I’m in a nook.” I wasn’t exactly in the tunnels, but there was an access hatch leading into them.
“There must not be sensors in that area, which shouldn’t be possible. I will have you show where it is on a schematic and put in a service request to install sensors.”
Yay. Homework.
“What can I do for you?”
I swallowed, and my palms went slick with sweat. I had no idea why I was nervous. There was no reason for it. But my body didn’t get the memo. “Are there any sort of traditions when telling your mate you intend to reaffirm the bond?”
A long pause hung in the air before NAID burst out, “You’re staying? You’re not leaving?”
“I’m staying.”
“I’m so happy.” If she was on a display, she’d be bouncing.
“Me too.”
“I didn’t want you to leave,” she said in a quiet voice. “It wouldn’t be the same. You treat me like everyone else.”
“Youarelike everyone else,” I insisted. “You’re my friend. The first one I’ve had in a very long time.”
“You’re my first friend too.”
The backs of my eyes suddenly prickled with emotion. Coughing, I said, “Back to my question.”
“No,” she said, her voice still bubbly. “There’s no tradition.”
I ended the conversation with a quick goodbye, needing to think.
Part of me wanted to make a big fuss. He deserved it. Kal deserved everything. Another part of me wanted to squeak out the words and pretend staying wasn’t a big deal, even though it was. My head thumped against the window. Whatever way I chose, it probably wouldn’t matter, but I needed to do it soon.
Perhaps I should buy him a ring. A smile spread at the thought of slipping a ring onto his long finger.
My touchstone grew hot, and Kal’s voice sounded in my ear. “Seth Harris.”
“Kal.”
“Mate, are you alright?”
I’d been gone longer than expected, and predictably, Kal was worried. “I’m fine, Babe.”
“Where are you? Still with Urgg?”
“No, I’m hiding.”
The tension was practically a living thing as silence strung between us for several seconds.
“Seth,” he started carefully. Laughter tried to escape, but I swallowed it because I didn’t want to upset Kal more. “Where are you?”
“Coming home, to you.”
“I can come get you.”
“Not necessary.”
Once again, I could feel his strain through the touchstone. If I didn’t come back soon, he would rip the ship apart to find me. I easily pictured him pacing in our apartment as he struggled to keep from bounding out the door.
