Once the meal was served, Dez started with a small bite of the sea snake. At least it appeared to be cooked unlike the other morsels on the flat wooden serving platter. He placed the cooked piece of snake gingerly in his mouth. Cyra studied at him the entire time, tense anticipation built between them.
Flavor burst over his tongue. Salty, a bit sweet and some other indescribable flavor that only food that once breathed actual life contained. The texture was flaky and delicate. “Its delicious.”
“They make it in the traditional way at this place. Slow smoking it over salt-saturated driftwood. You can taste the ocean and the land in every bite. Nothing reminds me more of my planet than this dish.” Cyra’s approval was evident in her tone. Dez warmed under her praise. He would have faked enjoying the meal if he had to. Luckily, it hadn’t come to that.
“Do you ever visit your home?” The last visit to his own home planet too close to the forefront of his mind.
She glanced away. “No, I didn’t leave under the best of circumstances. I don’t know if I would be welcome.”
Impossible. “Your family is still there?”
“As far as I know. I’ve never heard otherwise.” Maybe she really did need a communications officer desperately if she hadn’t been able to figure out how to contact the planet. It explained all the running around they’d done earlier.
“Why did you leave?” Something horrible must have happened.
“I wanted to be more than a baby factory. I wanted to have adventures. I thought I knew more than I did and that I could take care of myself.”
She left to avoid her family obligations? Not what he had expected. There was probably more to the story, something she wasn’t telling him. “You seem to have taken care of yourself quite well.”
Cyra smiled at him, but it was a little wistful. “I don’t know if I should take credit for where I am right now. I’m struggling to make the best of a situation I wasn’t prepared for.”
Dez could related. His vision of what his life would be in indentured servitude hadn’t been close to the reality. It had been a huge adjustment when he learned he would be treated as if he held very little value, warehoused with others until the owner had take a liking to him. The few years he’d spent as a personal companion had been closer to what he’d anticipated. Too bad it hadn’t lasted longer. “It’s difficult to be completely prepared for any circumstance. It’s more important to be adaptable and creative. A plan is only worthwhile as long as all the variables remain unchanged. That is rarely if ever the case in my experience.”
“I had a lot of help to get to this point. Captain Auvi gifted me the ship after he saved me as a runaway. Veda has been incredibly supportive and taken care of details I would never have been able to handle, like feeding those damn spiders.”
“Her tiny frame belies her brave strength.” Dez chuckled.
Cyra’s face lit. “I think she might be the smartest, bravest person I’ve ever known. I love her more than a sister.”
“I would like to be this kind of friend to you too. Someone who helps you. Someone you rely on.”
She tilted her head, the light left her face. “You’re going to be gone soon.”
“We have several g-months of travel ahead of us. Would you be willing to let me do more than cook meals?”
“Like what?”
She didn’t say no. “I’d like to continue to help look for a communications officer for you while we are on Cassan. Perhaps, I could secure another contract as well?”
She shook her head slightly. “I don’t want you to feel obligated to help me. I’ve been paid to transport you. It seems like I’d be taking advantage of you.”
Did she not understand she couldn’t take advantage of her mate who wished to give her everything, care for her in every way? “We may not know each other well. And we may not have long together, but you are my mate. It would bring me pleasure to help you.”
“If you want to do it, I won’t stop you. But, you don’thaveto do anything. You don’t even have to cook.” She served herself more colorful pieces from the platter.
“I disagree. I absolutely have to cook.” Dez grinned, relieved that she was able to give in even if it was a tiny amount. He selected two more pieces, more colorful and much less cooked than the sea snake, tasting her planet and enjoying every moment of the shared, private meal. He rarely saw his mate alone for more than a few moments.
“Did you get enough to eat?” Cyra asked, shifting the empty platter on the table by millimeters.
“I did. It was wonderful.” She lifted her gaze, a hesitant smile teased her plump lips. “Thank you for sharing your food with me.” If only he could kiss her.
“Do you want to go with me to one last stop? There’s one more bartender I need to connect with.”
He stood and held out his hand. “I would be pleased to accompany you.”
When she placed her hand in his, he tried to memorize the feel of it so he would never forget her willing touch, the shape of her fingers, the warmth of her delicate grip. They walked down the row of businesses. Her skin pressed against his was a small balm to his aching heart, his demanding soul. His mate hadn’t touched him since she’d changed his markings. He was starving for her. The simple connection eased his never ending pain. If only she would give him more. The kiss of her sensuous navy blue lips. His hands through her dark green locks. His naked body against her soft blue skin. But he could settle for holding her hand.
The bar she led him to was crowded. They stood near the seats that surrounded the bar itself. Every seat was filled with a variety of beings. Short and dark like Veda. Pale and lean like Blaize. Thick and muscled like himself. All chattering in the common language, tossing back drinks and searching for some measure of happiness at the end of a long day or longer journey.
