The twins bowed their heads before turning and leaving the ship entirely.
He looked last at Sway, who was the only one who had been standing back. He had his arms crossed, his usually serene face disturbingly blank.
“Check the ship over,” Tanin said. “Make sure everything is back in order and there’s no trace he was ever here.”
Sway nodded once. “Aye, captain.”
All of them obeyed his commands exactly, without question. Garnet knew they’d be followed to the letter. Tanin might not have the title of a king, but he certainly ruled his company with the authority of one.
“Come.” Tanin pulled on her hand, tugging her from the railing.
She followed along, putting her arm around his waist. Leaning into him with a smile.
Tanin glanced down at her quickly, then back up again. “You’re not afraid?”
“Of what?”
“Me.”
She sniggered. “Honestly? That was hot. I wanted him dead anyway. Seeing you do it? Absolutely ruthless. You take care of all your enemies that way?”
“Only the ones that make themselves a nuisance,” he said simply, and she chuckled, believing him. He might not kill as his first problem solving step anymore, but it was still on the list. Gissrn just happened to have made it down that far.
“You’re sure we’re not going to get in trouble?”
“No. I’ll make certain of it.”
They stepped on the lift that took them up to the bridge. He then climbed ahead of her to the upper bridge before turning and offering her a hand up. She took it, laughing when he tugged her right off the ladder and up into his arms.
“You’re very strong,” she said, running her hands over him. Getting more into the mood. Once again, feeling like the princess welcoming her battle worn knight home. He even had battle wounds, marks on his back and arms. But he’d conquered the evil king and came back to her victorious. Surely, that deserved a reward.
“The s’skree are the strongest species by weight,” he reminded her, setting her down gently. “Our size sometimes makes people forget that.”
“Are we going to fuck on the bridge again?” She asked eagerly.
“Yes. But first…”
He turned from her and moved to the dark console behind the hatch. She’d never seen it lit up and always assumed it didn’t even do anything. Since it was behind the hatch, it wasn’t easily accessible. She thought it was just there to fit in with the rest of the room.
But Tanin ran his finger over one of the cuts on his arm, gathering some blood that he then smeared across the surface. It came to life, blinked once, then split apart.
Garnet came in close, looking down in surprise at the hidden compartment. Nestled inside was what looked like a large egg. A silver cannister, bigger than her head, with wires leading out from the tapered top connecting it to the ship. And, at the front, a little screen that Tanin tapped.
“Alred, all clear.”
The screen lit up, the console started humming, then all around them-
“Took your sweet time,” Alred laughed. “I was just getting comfortable. What did I miss? Please tell me it’s good. I want something fun to watch tonight.”
“I don’t think you’ll be disappointed,” Tanin assured him. “Where’s Goldie?”
“Shelter room, of course.”
“I figured. You can release her. Don’t let her near the engine room though. Vytln is cleaning up. Tell her to go to medbay and send the others to her to get treated one at a time.”
“Aye, captain.”
“Oh, and open an audio channel into the engine room.”
