“To the Ivoyans, healing her might be more tempting than studying her.”
Nenn sucked in a sharp breath.“Let us pray Osnir lights the way for her.”
“Vic finding who caused the explosion might help your cause.”
“Indeed,” Nenn said, offering Vaen a smile.To save Tiny, he’d need all the advice he could get.
Vaen twisted to rest his back against the wall and his legs along the bench.“Perhaps I should get my own human.”He grinned.
Nenn blinked at it.Twice in one day?“It would mean returning for Caah.”Nenn shrugged.“He might have a female by then.”
“True.If we were not cautious with our fuel reserves, we would travel faster than a lunar month.”With a wince, Vaen swept his gaze across the galley.“I do not enjoy long voyages.”
Nenn chuckled.“Bored?”
Smirking, Vaen rested his head back.“Indeed.”He slapped the table.“Now, head to bed or cover the bridge so I can sleep.Your choice.”
Nenn nudged his chin in the direction of the quarters.“Go.I will monitor the ship.”He rose, emptied his tisane into the waste disposal, then paused beside Vaen.“Thank you for your guidance.”
Alone, on the bridge, Nenn scanned the black forevids splattered with stars.The lights on the console remained red.White would be a concern, but none were that color.The silence engulfed him, and he lost himself to the space flickering past.
When they reached Ivoy, he needed to have his defense in place.Hiding Tiny on the ship was a start, but he couldn’t do so for long.The udaps would ask why if he disappeared for extended periods of time.He had to report to duty and pretend all was well.Not to mention that sneaking a female into the Med-Tech barracks unseen would be impossible.And it wouldn’t be fair on Tiny to keep her imprisoned.No, the truth had to come out.But he didn’t know how to phrase it to ensure she wasn’t harmed.
“Your concern bothers me, Maed,” Aehort said, gliding to stand beside him.
Nenn stiffened at the intrusion then slumped.The Ivoyan was far too perceptive.“My apologies, Aehort Uz,” he said.
“You care for this female?”he asked.
“I am starting to,” Nenn said.There was no point in lying to an Ivoyan.As skilled empaths, they perceived far more about himself than even he knew.
“You have taken on a burden because you are trained to offer healing.No, the Senate will not heal your Tiny.I have foreseen it.”Aehort patted Nenn’s shoulder with his elongated orange fingers.
His hope shattered, dampening his vision until darkness circled it.If no healing, that meant… “Will we be able to return her to Lunar Base?”
Aehort remained quiet.“This has not been revealed to me.”He focused his all-seeing gaze on Nenn.“Do not worry over this when it is beyond your control.All things will be resolved.”He left a bowed Nenn resting his chin on his chest.
He’d promised Tiny.
How could he tell her this was all for nothing?
“She will understand,” Aehort called from the passage.“Have faith, young Qaldreth.”
Nenn squared his shoulders.Aehort was right.He had to trust Osnir wouldn’t abandon him.As he wouldn’t forsake Tiny.Despite the awful news, peace consumed him.If he hadn’t promised Vaen, he’d head to bed.
He glanced at the dial on the wall.A half-dark, half-light ball spun as time passed, marking the end and start of the next ‘day.’Soon, he would awaken Tiny, perhaps with a kiss.Like Vaen had said, the journey to Ivoy would take a lunar month.Plenty of opportunities to get to know Tiny better.Perhaps together, they could learn how to play a reed.It wasn’t a skill that had interested him, but to spend time with her, he’d do it.
He swept his gaze across the console and the forevids, then at the ball, watching time inch by.And repeat until his neck ached.He’d start with a shower, then collect her for a meal.
A squeal woke him.He must have dozed off.A glance at everything showed all was well, and the day imminent.Then, what had—
His eyes widened, and he bolted for Tiny’s room.
“Grunt, you sly dog, I love you,” she sang.
Nenn faltered, slowing as he reached her door.
“Play audiobook,” she said.
