“What’s that?” I asked, eyes closing.
“It’s a giant Crystal that is the center of our culture. It’s guarded and understood only by the Ranks, who are its priests and priestesses. It’s our religion.”
“Hmm,” I moaned, curling around the pillow. The sheets covered me, and a smooth palm with a subtle scritch cupped my cheek. Peace flowed over me like a wave of warm water.
I pressed my hand over Don’s and smiled at him. “You’re pretty wonderful.”
“Thank you, Little Warrior. So are you.”
Chapter 10
A different way to be together, maybe?
Seth was pressed against Kal’s side while he stared at his tablet that showed the feed of their baby as we sat in their room. He’d invited me over before they went to their hand-to-hand combat class; I imagined Seth only went there to drool over his husband. Kal and I were making no effort to speak, and we silently glared at each other. Seth either didn’t notice the strain or he’d decided not to comment on it. I assumed the latter, honestly. He wasn’t unaware of our mutual hatred, though he was clueless as to the reason why.
Part of me wanted to get to know Kal because Seth wished for it, and I had a hard time denying him anything, especially after so long. Besides, being friends, or at least on speaking terms,with his husband would make my friendship with Seth easier. I didn’t want to give him up this time, but as far as romance went, I was fighting an uphill battle that I was pretty sure I would lose, for all my bluster and confidence.
My gaze ran over Kal, trying to find what Seth liked about him so much. He was attractive. I was a strong enough person to admit it. His silvery-blue hair was long and silky. His scales were steel-blue with purple and neon blue glimpses of skin around them. He was broad and tall, but not humongous like some of the other drakcol—Don and Caleb mainly. His full lips, wide forehead, and tapered ears were all lovely. He wore a ridiculous amount of jewelry in my opinion, but it worked on him. All of it was silver, except for a gold chain with a raw amethyst that matched his eyes and the slim gold band on his left ring finger.
So he was hot. Seth liked attractive guys. Who didn’t? I enjoyed a pretty face and a nice ass as much as the next person, but that didn’t constitute a relationship.
“The baby’s doing well,” Seth said, putting the tablet down on the backless couch next to him.
“How much longer?” I asked.
He shrugged. “No idea. The doctors at the nesting facility don’t know either. This is the first drakcol/human baby.”
“Well, they will get more with Mindy and Teddy if they want kids.”
“Yeah. Mindy strikes me as someone who wants kids, but I don’t know. Have you talked to Teddy much?”
“About kids? No,” I replied. The thought of asking if he wanted kids hadn’t even crossed my mind—it probably should have—but we were still in some awkward dance after Xome. It’s like neither of us knew exactly where we stood anymore. “We talk every day, though,” I continued, defending him and crossing my arms. “It’s not like he’s too busy for me or something. He’s a good friend.”
“I wasn’t saying that, Vinnie,” Seth said, reaching for me, but I shifted away. He gave me a slight smile. “When we get back, there will be plenty of time for all of us to hang out. I need to get to know Teddy better.”
My heart was like ice in my chest. I was almost positive I wanted to go back to Earth. Not for my family, which made me sound like an ass, but for me. I wanted to forget, and that was a way to do it.
Maybe they would take my memories without me going home, then I could stay.
“We should go,” Kal said, standing. His tail coiled around Seth’s ankle as he held out a hand. Seth interlocked their fingers, and I wanted to growl, but I forced a smug smile to my face while quirking my eyebrow at Kal. I smirked when his expression darkened and a low growl rumbled in his chest.
Oh, he would probably win this confrontation between us, but I wouldn’t make it painless for him. No, there would be poking and prodding until Kal snapped and snarled.
I followed them as we headed to a training room. I guessed the drakcol took physical fitness seriously, which wasn’t surprising, because they all looked like they lived in the gym. I was expecting weights and exercise machines, but that wasn’t what I saw.
On the far wall were targets with bright blue lines, and people fired blasters at them. In the center were several mats where most of the people were in loose workout clothes. Seth was dressed similarly to Kal—both in black sweats and loose tunics. Kal’s were much tighter, letting me see his strong muscles.
“Where do we sit?” I asked Seth, annoyed. Kal was too attractive. I’d never been muscular. No desire to work out in a gym or hike. I preferred to look pretty rather than sweat. I accomplished that easily enough, thank you very much.
“You can sit over there. I have class. You can participate too if you want. Learn to fight. Protect yourself.”
“Wait,” I said, taking a step after him, hand up. “You fight?”
“Yeah. I’m not great at it, but I’m getting better. Wyn and Monty are teaching me. Kal can’t.”
“Not a good fighter?” I asked, smirking. Something, finally, the asshole wasn’t perfect at.
“No, he’s great. He just freaks out when he thinks I’m in trouble. This class will be interesting, to say the least.” Seth laughed and walked over to his husband, slinging an arm around his waist.
