“Prasanta.” The captain’s command filled the cargo bay.
Queen stopped pulling. The lead went slack and her tongue lolled out.
“Good girl.” Dez patted the female’s bronze fur but didn’t miss the intake of breath from Cyra. He dragged his gaze away from the woman who’d captivated his dreams from the moment he’d boarded the ship when Veda cleared her throat.
“I sent the commands to your comm. I have to go.” Captain Cyra tapped her screen rapidly as she hurried to the exit, her face a light shade of purple. The handlers parted for the majestic female.
Dez fought the impulse to follow her, illicit more of her gasps. He blinked. Where had that come from? The dog bumped into his leg. He’d forgotten he was holding the lead.
“I’m ready.” Veda’s tiny smile confirmed she hadn’t missed a bit of the tension between the captain and himself. He’d tried hiding, but staying locked in a room with terrible meals brought to him three times a day wasn’t a long-term plan. Whatever the captain was triggering in him would pass.
Dez led Queen to Veda.
But when it came time for the blood draw, no command from any of them worked. The dog would not cooperate at all. Veda finally gave up. “I’ll get it later. There’s no sign of infection in any of the others and they’ve been kenneled together and quarantined for the last the galactic month.”
Dez kenneled the resistant female while Veda showed the handlers off the ship. He made sure each of the dogs was freed from their muzzles and had plenty of water in their drip feeders. Hopefully this wasn’t the first time they’d been transported.
Credit lapped at the metal tube and Dez relaxed. They would be fine. But maybe he should stay with them, make sure. Anything to avoid the unfamiliar sensations of lust that swept through him every time he was too close to the captain. Somehow the dogs were safer.
Veda paced behind Dez as he knelt by the kennels. Her worrying audible. “We’re working on getting food supplies for the ship. I’m not sure what the protein will be. It’s quite expensive on this planet. And the dogs will require so much to maintain their health.”
“Veda, would you consider presenting a unique request to Captain Cyra?” Dez glanced over his shoulder, his fingers still buried in Credit’s fur.
“What request?”
Dez released the dog and stood, hands clasped together in front of him. “I have not been back to see my family since I entered servitude. It has been five galactic years. Kolben is a great distance and I won’t be able to see them again, probably in my lifetime, or theirs. I would like to request your captain consider a trade.”
“A trade?” The data pad clutched back to her chest.
That didn’t bode well, but he had to at least ask, especially if they were planning to buy food on Morgual. His stomach turned, and the words fell out. “If she will supply the trip to my planet, I will supply the food and fuel needed to deliver me to Kolben.”
“She won’t trust that you will stay.”
“My word is my life. I would rather die than lie or deceive another.” Though he was well aware others, like his former owner didn’t have such compunctions.
Veda paused her pacing. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Why did you sell yourself? If you can supply a ship for a trip like this, why would you sell yourself?” The final question was almost accusatory.
“I am not wealthy, nor is my family. My sister fell in love with the prince. He was also in love with her, but it’s custom that the female bring a dowry to marry. My family could not begin to supply her a dowry that would meet the level required by a prince.”
“You sold yourself so that your sister could marry for love.”
“Yes. Because I did this for her and for him, I feel confident that he will grant my request to provision the ship for the trip.”
“But, why? Why wouldn’t you have him buy your freedom?”
He flinched at the dishonorable suggestion. It would be like requesting his sister’s dowry be returned. “I have no need of it. I agreed to servitude and I honor my commitments.”
“What about you andyourfuture?”
“I was an adult and hadn’t met my mate. I don’t expect to meet one now that I do not live on Din’ Gale.” Although his reaction to the captain concerned him. “I won’t be socializing with anyone other than my family while we’re there. I’ll travel to Kolben either way. If your captain grants my request, we’ll both benefit.”
“You could ask her yourself.”
“She’s more likely to listen to you, her best friend.”
