“You promise?”
“I promise.” Don cupped my cheeks and pressed yet another kiss to my lips. “I have to go.”
He did, but I selfishly wanted to hog all of his time. He nuzzled my forehead, probably in response to my thoughts. I clung to him, gripping his sides. I hated how needy I was. When I was on Earth, I hadn’t needed anyone. I knew how to keep myself safe, how to take care of myself, and I didn’t have to rely on anyone for anything. Now, I was dependent on Don, and part of me hated it; I was a burden.
“No,” he said, lifting my chin so our eyes met. “You are not a burden, Vince. You're mine and I’m yours. We take care of each other. I need you as much as you need me.”
I didn’t believe that.
“It’s the truth,” he said.
I went up on my knees to hug Don, then pressed a loud smack to his neck. “You need to go.”
“Are you going to stay here?”
“Yes.” I had no intention of leaving this room. Maybe ever.
He carded his fingers through my hair. “I will be back.”
My eyes stayed on Don until he disappeared from view. I flopped back onto the bed and curled around his pillow, taking in his scent. The soft sheets and the cozy blanket lured me into a relaxed state. Sleep started to drag me away, and I didn’t fight it. If I slept, I’d feel better, and Don would be back by the time I woke up.
A chime sounded, and I groaned, pulling the pillow over my head. Maybe they would go away? The chime sounded again, then NAID said, “Vince Lyford.”
I flopped onto my back. “Yes?”
“Prince Consort Seth Harris would like to speak with you.”
I’d never heard Seth’s title before. It was… odd. Shaking it off, I said, “Let him in.”
I forced myself out of bed and went to the living room. Seth was on the couch. He was red-faced. “Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t realize you were sleeping.”
“I wasn’t.” I mean, I’d been about four seconds from falling asleep, but whatever.
Seth smiled, but it was tight like he thought I was lying. I shifted to his side and snuggled against his shoulder. He slipped an arm around my waist. I had one moment of tension before it passed, and I could relax, pushing away my first instinct of fear.
“I wanted to check on you,” Seth said after a moment. “Kal saw Don carrying you, and I was worried. I wanted to come right away, but Kal said Don would want to take care of you.”
“He took good care of me.” Veryverygood care of me.
“Are you okay?” Seth asked.
“Yeah.” I was mainly. I’d be better if Don was here right now, holding me, but I was fine.
His hand went up and down my arm. “Do you need to not stay at this station? I could ask the Cohort. They’re pretty accommodating to us humans.”
More like they were very invested in Seth. For whatever reason, Seth would say something, and the drakcol would jump to do it for him. It was weird, but if it worked to our advantage, then I wouldn’t complain.
Part of me wanted to accept Seth’s offer. He could probably convince the Cohort to allow Don to take us back to the Drakcon homeworld, and that meant more time with him, not to mention away from the xoi.
But I couldn’t. I couldn’t force Don, and if I did, it could affect his career, which I never wanted to do.
“No, but thanks. We’ll be fine,” I said. “The xoi won’t take any of us again.”
“They won’t,” Seth agreed.
I smiled, but I wanted to snap at Seth. He’d never been taken by the xoi. Kal had abducted him because he wanted to claim Seth as his soulmate. It was different. But I contained it. Seth wasn’t agreeing because he lumped his abduction in with ours; he was agreeing to comfort me. Still, it rankled. He’d been met with love, and I’d been met with blood, death, and rape.
We stayed silent for quite some time, each lost in our own thoughts. After a bit, Seth gently moved me from his side.
