CHAPTERTWENTY
Bela
Without even realizing it, I fall into the kind of deep, bone-weary sleep that sucks you under and refuses to let you go. The kind that takes over when you’ve pushed your body well past the brink. And I’ve done that, haven’t I? To be honest, I’m surprised the lack of sleep I’ve gotten lately didn’t catch up with me sooner.
After the night spent with Treto—under him, over him, in his arms—I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, when I was with him, the feel of his lean body wrapped around mine, I felt safe—truly safe—for the first time in… maybe ever.
Blinking up at the ceiling, I take a long, deep breath before turning my head to the side. I already know the space Treto filled is empty, but my heart twangs anyway at seeing the loss of him.
Oh, stop it.
I’m sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why he isn’t curled up beside me in bed. Surely he wouldn’t play me for a fool and bail the moment he got what he wanted.
My bladder takes that moment to let me know it’s been neglected for far too long, and I catch myself grimacing as I swing my legs over the side of the bed. Everything is tender, and heat creeps up into my cheeks as the memories ofwhyeverything is tender come floating back.
Worth it!Every twinge, every ache, even the tender, still swollen flesh between my legs was worth it!
Treto had quickly shown me how the facilities work when he brought me back to his room. So after I’m done with my toilet, I climb into the sonic cleanser and, regretfully, clean away the last traces of our lovemaking. Not my memories, though. Goodness, the things he did to me. The things Ilethim do. And how I screamed for him.
Pulses of heat spread through my stomach as I slip back into his room. My dress is a shredded puddle in the corner, so I make my way to the smooth wall. My fingers press against what might be panels, and I’m rewarded when a drawer pops open.
After lifting one of his shirts out, I slip it over my head. The soft material falls to my knees, infused with his scent. I have my nose buried in the neck when the door opens suddenly, catching me being weird.
Spinning around, I expect it to be Treto in the doorway, but instead it’s the blonde human woman. The one who rescued us from the ship’s labyrinth.Anna. The gray bounty hunter’s wife—mate—whatever.
“Oh, you’re up!” Her face brightens. “I was just coming to check on you, but since you’re awake, I can take you to the kitchen. You must be starving!”
My stomach takes that moment to grumble loudly, reminding me it’s been quite some time since I last ate. Now that I think of it, I’m actually feeling a little jittery, which I’d thought was from the sex but maybe not.
“Thank you.” My voice is rough, and I clear it before asking, “How is Skylar? Shit, I just left her!”
“Skylar is fine,” Anna assures me. “She’s been sleeping mostly. Poor kids been through it.”
My shoulders slump in relief. “And what about Treto?”
Some of the light in her face dims, and her smile turns a little forced. “He’s… he spent most of the day with Rovos. Talking. Last I saw, he was on the bridge.”
Wait.Most of the day?“How long have I been asleep?”
Anna worries at her bottom lip. “Um, a little over two days.”
Jesus Christ!No wonder I’m jittery and starving.
“Come on, let’s get you something to eat, and I can catch you up on everything you’ve missed.” Taking hold of my arm, she pulls me into the hallway after her.
* * *
We’re seated in a fairly normal-looking kitchen, except that instead of appliances there is a vending machine-like thing that spits out food and drink, such as the steaming cup ofkahvaI’m clutching and the bowl of noodle stew to my left.
Thekahvawarms my stomach and helps clear some of the cobwebs from my mind. It’s late—after midnight, although time is pretty wonky in space. Even more so when you’ve slept away two entire days.
I haven’t tried the alien stew yet because I’m listening to Anna talk animatedly about the planet we’ll be arriving at by morning. She was peeking in on me before she headed to bed, but now I’m keeping her up even later, which she swears isn’t a problem. Still, I can see the dark circles forming under her eyes, and the way she keeps rubbing at them tells me she’s not used to staying up so late.
“You’ll love Deja and Xan,” she’s saying, a mug of tea that smells herbal cradled in front of her. “And their kids and grandkids. There are actually a lot of humans who live in their compound. Skylar will have kids her own age too.”
I’d completely forgotten about Skylar, but apparently Anna has taken her under her wing and made sure she had everything she needed while Treto and I…
“What is this planet we’re going to?” I feel like I’m making her repeat herself, but I’m still not clear on everything she’s been rattling off at me.
