“It’s about Dez. Are you sure you want to leave him on Kolben? I mean, he’s such a great guy and his cooking is amazing and everywhere we go, he gets another contract. And it just seems like such a shame to leave him in such a nasty place. He shouldn’t have to spend his days underground mining in dangerous conditions. He’s worth so much more than that. I mean, not that he has to have a worth, but he’s a really good guy and I feel awful leaving him. Especially when it’s clear how much you two love each other and then Veda mentioned that if you leave him, he could die?—”
Cyra held up her hand to stop the flow. “It’s not my decision.”
“But you’re the captain.”
“Exactly. I’m the captain, who’s contracted to deliver Dez to Kolben.” The one whose stomach was in knots over the situation. “But I’m not Dez who indentured himself. I’m not the mining company executive that authorized the purchase of his contract. And I don’t know what Veda told you, but Dez hasn’t said anything about dying to me. And yes, I crossed a line. One I never should have. That’s on me. But there is nothing else I can do. So if our systems are prepared for a solid landing and we have the fuel to leave, I think I’m done here. I’ll be in the wet room if anyone needs me.”
Cyra spun on her heel and left before Blaize could start again. If she ran into Rhysa on the way to her water tank, she might just punch her to avoid another conversation about how she was failing Dez and how she should change the outcome of a situation she didn’t create and had no power to fix. Not unless she was willing to sacrifice everything and everyone else.
Chapter38
Dez haltedat the end of the ramp when the full force of the icy winds whipped through his many layers of clothes and froze him to his bones. Each exhalation formed a cloud in the frosty air. Gods, he’d never been so cold in his life. When he’d packed the warmest clothes, made from the best fabrics available on his planet, he’d envisioned being too warm. As if he was over packing. Not even close.
He took a few more steps down the ramp. Cyra caught up to him. He glanced over at her. Arms wrapped tight around her body, tendrils of emerald hair waving in the icy gusts, she was slightly bluer than normal. If he could, he would wrap her up and take her back to her bed. She hadn’t let him in when he’d gone to her last night. He was almost certain she’d been crying when she told him to go back to his own quarters.
Despite working the issue from every angle all through the rest cycle, he’d come to no solution. So there they were on the ramp, walking to his doom. But he still had time to help his mate. “We should meet with the canteen people and get the produce delivery and the dogs handled first. We can tell them who I am after that.”
“Let’s ask this guy.” Cyra pointed at a shape that came toward them, wrapped in a huge coat with a lined hood.
Dez decided he’d have to acquire the same outer gear. Although he wouldn’t need the protection for long.
Cyra and Dez met the man midway between the landing pad and the building from which he’d come. Dez held out his hand, but the man waved him off. “Inside.”
They sped up to a jog to keep up. As they were at the building. Cyra stopped abruptly and craned her neck toward another launch pad. Dez grabbed her arm and dragged her inside. There was a cavernous space with doors around the perimeter. Maybe offices. Didn’t matter. He had do find out what caused Cyra to balk. “What did you see?”
“I thought— But that’s impossible.”
“What?”
“Not what, who. Varik. But it must me someone who looks like him.”
The man introduced himself as Derrain and focused on Cyra once she announced she was the captain. Dez liked the man for that. Most of the people they’d dealt with over the past galactic months had kept their attention on him despite his queen having all the authority. Maybe it was that her inner confidence had grown, and it was easier for everyone to see her as the leader she was. Dez shifted toward one of the thick windows next to the door they’d entered.Varik. Cyra had told him stories, so had Veda and Blaize. The man was Chalcanthian like Cyra. Blue. Not many of their people left their home world—the water planet. It was too hard on their systems.
“There is one development, regarding the thuringies.”
“What’s up?” The man didn’t seem to be too concerned.
“You may not have been aware, but there was a female in the pack and she gave birth. To another female.” Cyra clasped her hands together.
“Huh? I don’t have a budget to cover any additional medical expenses. Not sure what I’d do with a puppy.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“We are prepared to keep it, but felt you should have the first right of refusal.”
“The bitch is still in good health?” The man’s hands went to his hips, and he widened his stance, readying for a confrontation.
“Perfect. I’m sure you can confirm that with your intake scans.”
Dez beamed as she repeated the words they’d planned.
“That works.” He relaxed. “Let’s sign the paperwork and then get an insulated transport out to your ship to move the goods.”
“Sure.” Cyra nodded. “Dez, you’ll be alright here?”
“Aye, Captain. I’ll assist with the transport.” Dez said it more for the man’s instruction than Cyra’s. The transfer would be his last chance to spend time with Credit, and Queen and the others. Princess was almost fully weened, but there might be some resistance from her sires to leave her.
Cyra gave a quick nod before striding away. “I’d like to talk to you about whatThe Treasurecould transport for you back to Arbotriz, or Cassan. Since we’ll be coming out here on a periodic basis…”
Her voice became too distant to hear, but she didn’t need him. She owned her role as captain. His heart expanded with pride and admiration. She was beyond amazing.
