Maker.He cradled her close, unable to resist her softness.
She yanked out of his arms, swayed, but pressed her hand to his chest, holding herself upright.“Hiossu?”
Her concern calmed a little of Cylo’s ardor.“He is well, ensa.Dress, eat, and I shall take you to him.”
Her smile was blinding.“Good.He was my only ally when I needed one.”She stilled and raised a wide-eyed gaze to Cylo.“I’m his only ally now.”
She spoke the truth.Cylo could admit that.And having an empath in the same room as the Maloidian would be helpful, not to mention test whether her new skill extended beyond him.But not as she was.A glance confirmed her garments clung to her, accentuating parts of her he didn’t want Hiossu to notice.Even as he longed to run his palm along every curve.
“Come, choose what to wear, to eat.”He caught her hand and ushered her to the replicator and rehydrator.A few commands altered the menus to Galactic.He stepped aside for her to browse without him hovering.
“Jeans, T-shirt, boots…underwear,” she muttered while she ordered.After the items materialized, she shifted to the rehydrator.“Coffee?I wish.Start with something small… Soup.Argh.”A bowl appeared filled with steaming brown liquid with a savory aroma.A bottle of water followed.
She snatched up the bundle of garments and faced him.“I need to change.”
“Why?”he asked, fascinated by the play of light across her hair.
“Into these.”She tightened her arms.
He frowned.“What is stopping you?”
Her purple cheeks darkened.“Could you give me a few minutes alone?”
“No,” he snapped.“If you fall—”
“Fine,” she huffed.“Turn around then, and no peeking.”
What a strange command.“Why?”
She raised her gaze to the ceiling before meeting his.“With your back to me, I can dress.No peeking means don’t look at me, not even if you’re tempted.”
Silence settled between them.Ah, she waited for him.
“Leave or turn away?”He swiveled on his heels.“Like this?”
“Yeah, thanks.”Fabric shuffled, slithered, hitting the floor in a range of thuds.Her muted moan urged him to look, but he resisted.When she thumped her booted feet, he chanced a glance.
Her hair was dry, wisping outward, yet the colors appeared less vibrant.Again, she wore blue leggings that hugged her legs, and this time a dark blue, short-sleeved tunic that covered more of her.
“I like these boots,” she said, scooping up the bowl and bottle of water before sitting.She yelped but didn’t leap up when the comfy conformed to the shape of her backside.Her eyes remained wide for a few seconds, then she settled.
“My apologies for not warning you—”
“How were you to know I’d never encountered an adjusting chair?”She flicked a dismissive wrist, the bottle in her hand.
“Is that enough food?”he asked, crouching in front of her.
“I don’t know when last I ate anything solid.I’ve heard to start slowly when reintroducing food.”She tucked the bottle between her thighs and cradled the bowl, bringing it to her lips.
He lowered his gaze, trying to smother the anger rising within.That she had suffered so, that other women had, too…
“How are they?”she asked between sips.
He jerked back.How had she known where his thoughts had gone?“If you mean your women, they are well.Some have triggered the Ethera in my males.”
“Ah, yes, the soul-mate thing.”She smiled.“I’m happy for them.And Donna?”
“The mother?”Cylo ran his thumb along the shell of his ear, wishing he could do so to Wren.“We are speeding her to Earth.”
