by Presley Hall
Some of the Terran women have come to the docking bay as well to see Cora off, and I glance over at them as I instruct the men to begin boarding and loading supplies. Cora’s small stature and petite frame are even more noticeable next to the other women, her features very delicate in comparison. But there’s something so alluring, so eye-catching about her that I realize it’s impossible to look at any of the other women when she’s around.
During my time as a warrior, I’ve met many attractive females of a variety of species, and there are plenty of beautiful women among the Terrans. But for some reason, when I look at Cora, everyone else seems to fade into the background.
No one stands out like she does.
I shrug it off, shaking myself back into the present as I board the ship and make my way toward the captain’s deck. Behind me, I can hear the sounds of the other men loading supplies onto the ship and depositing them where they’ll be needed in the galley, the cabins, and the storage areas. Their easygoing conversation creates a quiet hum.
It’s been a long time since we’ve had such a straightforward mission with a definitive goal and end to it.
Fly in, rescue the women, and return.
The battles with the Orkun over the years have felt endless, as if we were beating back an unceasing tide of enemies who would quickly gain back any ground that we took from them. It felt for a very long time as if we were fighting to our deaths, for no other reason than that we refused to die in slavery or defeat. It didn’t feel as if there were ever a victory in sight. And even for warriors like us, who have known all our lives what the fight was, such a thing is demoralizing over time.
But now, there has been a victory. If the Orkun do manage to gain back ground, it will take them a very long time. I can feel that morale is high, and it makes me doubly excited to lead this rescue operation.
Once everyone is on board and in position, I take my seat in the captain’s chair, setting the controls to prepare for takeoff.
“Everyone get ready to lift off,” I instruct over the comms unit, flicking the final switch to bring the ship to full power. “We’re off in three… two… one…”
I expertly guide the ship out of the docking bay, but as we begin to make our ascent in a smooth glide, I notice Cora watching me from out of the corner of my eye. Were I a different member of the Alpha Force, I’d ignore it and continue on in a cool, professional manner.
But for all my skill and discipline as a warrior, I’m still myself. And I can’t resist showing off a little.
As we increase speed, barreling forward toward the edge of Kalix’s atmosphere and out into space, I hit the throttle, launching forward. With a flick of the steering apparatus, I send the ship into a barrel roll and then arc upward as we come out of it. I can hear the annoyed grunts of a few of the other warriors as they’re jostled by my maneuver, but the only reaction I care about is Cora’s.
When I glance over at her, I see a startled grin on her face, and she laughs a little, giddy from the rush. As I straighten out the ship, I can see that she’s impressed, and it brings a smile to my face too.
Once we’re out of Kalix’s atmosphere and on our way, I set the course to Nierra and turn control over to the AI unit. The ship will essentially fly itself for this part of the journey, so there’s little need for me to be on deck the entire time.
The men are unbuckling themselves from their assigned stations for takeoff, and I glance over at Cora.
“If you’d like, I can show you to your sleeping quarters,” I offer, a little surprised to hear the words coming out of my mouth. “The others are familiar with the ship’s layout, but I know it’s been a while since you were on board one of our vessels, and this is a smaller one than usual.”
“Thank you,” she says, looking up at me with a sweet, appreciative smile. “That’s very kind of you.”
As we walk down the bridge, I glance over at her small, delicate face.
“I remember you from back on Monri,” I say.
I feel an urge to speak to her, to start some kind of conversation. I’m not sure why, other than the fact that it’s good to have a camaraderie with the other members of the squadron. But I find myself particularly wanting to find out more about her.
Well, of course you do, I tell myself. You don’t know her very well, and you’re well acquainted with everyone else on board. They’re your brothers in arms. She’s still practically a stranger.
But still, it feels somehow stronger than that.
“I remember you too,” Cora offers a little shyly, her cheeks flushing a soft pink color. “You were on guard duty for us more than once. I remember you escorting us to the market multiple times.”
For some reason, the idea that she remembers that pleases me. “Are you enjoying Kalix? Have you been happy there?”
Yes. Definitely.” She answers without hesitation, and I can tell from the tone of her voice that she means it. “It’s… different from what I expected my life to be. But a lot of those differences aren’t bad. Some are really amazing. If I had the opportunity to go back to Earth, I don’t think I’d take it. I’m glad luck or fate or whatever it might be brought me to Kalix. And I’m glad to be on this ship too.” She smiles. “I appreciate you taking me on as a part of the mission.”
“Of course. I follow my king’s commands. But I also believe you will be an asset,” I quickly add. I don’t want her to think I’ve only grudgingly allowed her to be a part of this.
“Thanks. I hope I can be.”
“What did you want to teach, back on Earth?” I glance at her curiously as we turn down the hallway toward the sleeping quarters. “You don’t have to tell me, of course, if you don’t wish to talk about it.”
“Oh no, it’s fine.” She looks up at me, surprise etched clearly on her features. “I’m surprised you remembered that about me though. Honestly, I barely remember mentioning it.”
Despite her startled expression, I can tell that she’s pleased I remembered. I don’t admit that it’s just about the only thing I know about her, and I find myself suddenly wishing that wasn’t the case. I want to know so much more about this woman.
I’m already impressed by how she handled herself in the council meeting, although in truth, I wondered if she would show up in the hangar today. Certainly, no one would have faulted her if she’d thought better of her brash suggestion. But she did show up, and it’s clear that she’s committed. I respect that a great deal.
“I was in the fairly early stages of my education,” Cora admits, “but I wanted to teach psychology eventually. I probably would have started out teaching at a high school—that’s the grade level for teenagers—and then gone on to get the higher-level degrees that would have allowed me to teach at a college level. To teach adults getting their own education.”
She pauses, as if considering whether or not she wants to tell me more. I half expect the conversation to end here and now, but then she keeps talking, entrancing me with her soft, musical voice.
“I was sick, a long time ago,” she says quietly. “I went through therapy as a part of my recovery, talking to experts in psychology and mental health to learn how to cope with my illness. It really helped me, and I wanted to be able to help others in the same way. I’ve always liked teaching others how to do things, so I thought teaching psychology would be a perfect blend of my interests and strengths.”
I’ve been so absorbed in her words that I almost lead her right past the door to her cabin. I stop abruptly in front of it, looking down at her. Inexplicably, as I gaze down at her blue-green eyes, the color of the sea on a bright day, and the soft curls of her light brown hair around her face, I find it almost impossible to tear my focus away.
“It sounds as if you’re always trying to help others,” I tell her, and I can hear the admiration in my voice. I hope that she hears it as well. “We’re truly lucky to have you on this mission.”
She gives me another of those slow, soft smiles, her eyes fixed on mine.
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nbsp; For a long moment, my feet refuse to move. I just stand there and gaze down at her, entranced by the way her irises glitter like jewels. Then I nod to her and turn to go, leaving her there at the door to her quarters.
5
Cora
I watch Druxik as he walks away down the hall, not quite sure what to make of his compliment.
We’re lucky to have you on this mission, he said. I didn’t expect that.
I expected suspicion, even a little pushback from the other members of the squadron regarding my presence among them on this mission. I didn’t expect Druxik to be anything but respectful—but I also didn’t think he’d be so glad to have me here.
I’ve known of him ever since the Kalixian warriors rescued me and the other women from the Orkun. And I know it was, in large part, his piloting abilities that kept us all from dying in the crash on Wauru. His skill enabled us to crash-land safely when we went down on the trading planet. But this is the most I’ve ever spoken to him, including the times he guarded or escorted us on Wauru, and I realize to my surprise that I like it. I like him.
He’s confident—almost bordering on cocky sometimes, like when he did that insane move with the ship when we were taking off. His boldness reminds me a bit of Sorsir. Although he doesn’t seem quite as hotheaded as Autumn’s mate, there’s a sort of brash confidence about him that’s actually pretty sexy. But he can also be sincere and serious, as I saw during the council… and just now.
I walk into the cabin, shutting the door firmly behind me before beginning to put away the few personal items that I brought along with me.
But as I put my clothes in the storage cabinet and set up my toiletries in the tiny shower cubicle, I find my thoughts drifting back to Druxik again and again. He’s one of the tallest out of all the warriors, broad-shouldered and muscular, but the way he towers over me doesn’t make me feel small. Even though he is quite literally looking down on me when we talk, I never feel inferior to him. He respects me, and I don’t know why that surprises me, but it does.
There’s something particularly beautiful about his eyes. They’re nearly black, softening to brown near the iris, with flecks of gold throughout them. I know from the other women that the Kalixian warriors’ eyes shift color sometimes, particularly when they’re aroused, and I can’t help but wonder what Druxik’s eyes look like when he’s turned on.
Do they get brighter or darker?
What would it be like to see those deep, intense eyes looking down at me, shifting colors as he hardened, that chiseled face taut with desire?
Stop it, I chide myself as I slip out of my clothes, getting ready to shower and clean up before dinner in the mess hall. There’s absolutely no reason for you to fantasize about him like this. You’re a member of this rescue team—a professional, dammit. So you should act like one. And there’s no point in dreaming about something you can’t have. You know the mate bond isn’t possible for you. Don’t torture yourself.
I know the logical little voice in my head is right, and I know I shouldn’t indulge in these kinds of fantasies. But still, as I step into the shower, I can’t quite seem to make Druxik leave my head entirely.
Truthfully, I’m not sure I want him to.
The first few days of the voyage to Nierra are fairly uneventful. It’ll take us about two weeks at a steady pace to reach our destination, and there’s not much for me to do on the ship since I’m not a regular member of the crew. My part in this mission will begin once we’re actually on the planet.
So for the most part, my days are spent getting used to the rhythms on the ship and trying to stay out from underfoot.
The lights in the cabins are programmed to brighten slowly in the morning to replicate the sunrise, and I develop a sort of routine over the first few days. I wake up as soon as it starts to get bright, do some light yoga and stretching, and wash my face before joining everyone else for breakfast.
The food on the ship is surprisingly edible, although it’s geared more toward ensuring we all get enough nutrients and less toward taste. After breakfast, I mostly keep myself occupied by reading on the data pad I brought with me.
The translator chip in my brain works for text as well as spoken words, and I’ve been researching everything I can about Kalix, and about other places in the universe too. I’ve always loved learning, and although being abducted was horrible, the upside is that I’ve found out that entire new worlds exist to learn about. Since then, I’ve devoured everything I can find.
After lunch, I usually take a walk around the midsized ship, sticking to parts of it where I won’t be a nuisance or in the way. I love visiting the observation deck and looking out into the depths of space.
Sometimes I just sit there and read, glancing out the window every once in a while to take in the expanse of stars in the distance. It makes me feel very small in the best sort of way, like a tiny part of a universe that’s now so much bigger than I ever knew. There’s a feeling of peace to it that I love.
But as the days pass, I find myself gravitating toward the captain’s deck on my walks, although I’m a little embarrassed to admit it. Druxik isn’t needed there all the time, since the ship can pretty much fly itself with the AI enabled and an easy course set, but he checks in regularly.
I can tell he enjoys having his hands on the controls, being in charge of the ship and flying it himself, and I enjoy watching him.
The way he interacts with the ship is mesmerizing. His movements are fluid and practiced, as natural to him as breathing. Every time I walk past, I can’t help but crane my neck, peering into the cockpit and hoping to catch a glimpse of him—of his broad shoulders and muscular arms, the way they ripple as he leans forward to adjust a lever or look at something.
I know I’m letting my crush on him grow a little too much for my own good. But it feels good to have that flicker of desire after so long without experiencing it. I can’t remember the last time I had a relationship, or even a casual date. And although I know those things aren’t in the cards for me, it’s nice to pretend. To think about a handsome man and feel that flutter deep in my belly.
It’s innocent, I tell myself. Just like seeing a sexy actor in a movie and thinking about what it would be like, in some impossible alternate universe, to go on a date with him or go to bed with him. It’s never going to happen, but it’s fun to dream about.
On the fifth day of our journey, I’m making my usual circuit around the ship. As I pass the captain’s deck, I tell myself I’m not going to look—that it doesn’t matter if Druxik is there or not.
But I can’t seem to help myself.
As I pass the doorway, I peer in, keeping up my pace as I crane my neck a little. I don’t see him. The captain’s deck looks empty, and I try to ignore the way my stomach sinks with a feeling of disappointment as if I was somehow counting on getting that little glimpse.
And then, just as I start to tear my gaze away, I run directly into a hard, solid body in front of me.
“Oh!” I let out a little yelp, stumbling a bit. My face flames with embarrassment as I look up to see who I’ve run into.
It’s Druxik.
Oh god.
My cheeks heat even more. No wonder I didn’t see him on the captain’s deck—it’s because he was walking right toward me, and I wasn’t watching where I was going.
“Are you all right?” His gaze is fixed squarely on my face as he reaches out to steady me, his strong hands clasping my upper arms.
“Yes. Sorry. I was just… distracted.”
I swallow, unable to look away. His eyes are beautiful, mesmerizing even, deep and dark with tiny flecks of gold. His body is still pressed against mine, hard and muscular and solid—and that, combined with the fact that he still hasn’t let go of my arms, makes my heart race. I can’t remember the last time I was this close to a man. And the fact is, I’ve never been pressed up against a man like this one.
It’s something straight out of a fantasy, and my heart is pounding in my chest,
my breath catching in my throat as I look up at him without a single idea of what to say.
We’re both frozen for a moment, looking at each other. I want to say something else, to laugh off my clumsiness or thank him for catching me—but all of those words escape me. I can’t seem to remember how to speak.
Any second now, he’s going to let go of me, step away, and then I’ll remember how to form words. Then I can thank him, and we can both go about our day and try to forget this.
Except I already know that I don’t want to forget it.
And I was wrong. He doesn’t let go of me, despite the fact that I’m no longer in danger of falling.
Instead, to my shock, he pulls me a little closer, one arm wrapping around me to keep me pressed against him, while he reaches up with the other hand and slowly, gently traces his knuckles down the side of my cheek.
All the while, his eyes stay fixed on mine, looking at me as if he’s never seen me before. As if he’s never in his entire life seen anything like me at all. As if I’m the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.
No one has ever looked at me like that. It’s astonishing.
“Cora…”
He murmurs the word, his voice sounding dazed, almost surprised, and the sound of my name on his lips awakens something in me.
The ember of attraction in my chest bursts into flame, heat blooming through my body and sweeping through my veins as I look up at him. My knees feel suddenly weak, my skin hot, my mouth dry. I can feel arousal washing over me, gathering between my legs, turning into an ache that threatens to overwhelm me.
My attraction to him doesn’t feel innocent anymore.
It doesn’t feel like a curiosity.
It feels like a need, something burning inside me, dragging me toward him like a magnet.