“Sorry,” I said, ripping my gaze from the bulge in his pants. Being a ghost had killed my sense of urgency, but clearly not my horniness. “Yes. Bad ship. What can I do?”
Fyn smiled softly, which caused an odd vibration to start in my chest. Fuck. It was my heart; my pulse was racing. He touched my cheek, and I wanted to press into it, but I stayed still.
“Hands away from my cock so I can pay attention, please.”
I licked my lips. “I can do that. For now. But only for now. I will have to get my hands on you later. I need it.”
“Stay beside me,” Fyn said, ignoring my rambling. “I can’t lose you.”
“You won’t.”
He smiled again, but it was laced with sadness.
Me and mine returned to Command, but this time, I was in a much better mood. Worry for my mate still plagued me, though. He was beside me, safe. For now. Caleb was ripping apart; I was sure of it. He would be torn from this plane and my arms sooner than I’d ever thought possible. He needed to move on, and yet, I didn’t want him to, and neither did he.
Dontilvynsan glanced at us when we entered, and no doubt my thoughts skittered through his mind. He tried not to hear, but he couldn’t help it. Reading minds was his inner fire, and there was no way for him to silence the gift, no matter how much he wished there was. He did form a shield—I supposed was the best way to phrase it—around his thoughts, but it wasn’t perfect, especially regarding those he was closest to both physically and emotionally.
“Greetings, Caleb,” he said. “I shall like to formally meet you after this issue is resolved.”
Caleb bounced at my side. “Me too.”
As usual, I related his words, though, with Dontilvynsan, I probably didn’t need to, because he would hear my thoughts about Caleb.
My brother turned toward the screen, and people began talking again. Kalvoxrencol held Seth securely, and they remained quiet as Serlotminden and Fynlincoxmin suggested different greetings that they’d encountered in their travels and diplomacy work.
Nothing had occurred while Caleb and I were gone. The vessel hadn’t moved or threatened us. The white craft floated in space without any hint of life.
“Has the Coalition sent an update?” I asked.
“No,” Dontilvynsan answered, looking up from his screen, though his fingers kept moving with ease. “But the Vveekian Authority is sending a science vessel to investigate as well as a warship in case we need assistance, though this close to Tamkolvanloknol, we are hardly likely to need it. Still, the ships are twenty hours from us.”
Not a horrible amount of time, though much could happen in twenty hours, especially depending on the strength of the technology of this vessel.
“So you guys don’t have…” Caleb trailed off for a moment. “Something to prod the ship?”
“Sensors,” I said, supplying the word. “We do, but they cannot penetrate the shields.”
“Ah.” His head bobbed while his lips pursed. Suddenly, his eyes widened. “I have an idea, but you won’t like it.”
My tail twitched and wings rustled on my back. “You are not doing anything dangerous.”
“I’ll be fine,” Caleb protested, patting my arm, which made his fingers disappear inside me and sent tingles up the limb.
Even without hearing his idea, I didn’t want him to do it, because it would take him from my side. Caleb needed to stay right here, out of danger, and within sight.
Dontilvynsan spoke as he stood. “Will my brothers, their mates, and Monqilcolnen join me in my office to discuss Caleb’s idea in private.”
“Caleb has an idea?” Seth asked.
Serlotminden answered, “Dontilvynsan must have overheard Zoltilvoxfyn’s thoughts about it.”
“Oh,” he said.
“Come on, Husband,” Kalvoxrencol said, directing Seth out of Command. Serlotmiden and Monqilcolnen followed them, but Dontilvynsan waited for me with his eyebrows raised, silently challenging me. If I fled, he would chase me. I couldn’t hide from him. Even if I did wish to fight him, which I didn’t, I would not beat him. After Kalvoxrencol, Dontilvynsan was the next best fighter.
I offered him my throat in concession, and Dontilvynsan patted my cheek. “Come, Bloom. Let us hear what your mate has to say.”
When we stepped inside Dontilvynsan’s office, he went behind the desk, and Caleb and I found a spot near the wall.
