by Celia Kyle
He tilted his head in acknowledgment, that small smile still in place, and she had a feeling he was laughing at her behind that kind face. “Now. However Primary Warrior Kozav has been notified—”
“That my mate cannot even follow the simplest of my orders.” She’d been so intent on the healer that she hadn’t heard medical’s doors open. But they were open now and Kozav stomped through them, not slowing until he reached her side. His features were settled into a furious frown, anger burning in his teal eyes. “You were told to wait for me. That I would escort you to your dam once my task was complete.”
“And I didn’t.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Which caused you to come to harm. This is unacceptable. You will follow the orders given to you. I cannot have you disregarding my instructions. I do not have time to worry over you every moment of the day. I have warriors to lead.”
Grace jerked back. “I will follow…” she sputtered. “Instructions…” Okay, one part of her wanted to give him some allowances. She’d probably scared him and she admitted leaving the rooms without an escort was kind of a dick move. Alright, it was a dick move. But the whole ordering, instruction, demanding thing wasn’t going to fly. “I made a mistake, yes.” See? She could be accommodating. “But if you think I’m going to just roll over and let you walk all over me, you’ve—”
“You are my mate!” His voice bounced off the metal walls and she glared at him.
“Lower your voice. If you wake up my mother, I will… do something really bad.” Lame, but she’d consult the Knowing later for an appropriate threat.
“Perhaps it is best if she is awake and hears of your behavior. If she knows her young is no more than a mindless katoth who wanders off—”
Grace bristled. She wasn’t a mindless cow. “Did you just call me—”
“—and puts herself in danger.” His glare still remained, his face bright red with his anger. “I will have to order one of my warriors to act as a minder for you if you cannot stay where you are put.”
“Are you saying I need a babysitter? That I can’t safely walk among the mighty Preor warriors who are supposed to value women and dragonlets above all else? Great guys you got here.” She hoped he didn’t miss the sarcasm.
Kozav’s shoulders expanded, teal scales rippling over his tanned skin, and she realized she might have pushed a hint too far. He took a deep breath and released it slowly, repeating the action before speaking once more. At least his face wasn’t as red as a tomato anymore. “And your humans are any better? Men who vowed to care for others and were prepared to let my warriors die?”
“I never said they were better. Hell, Richards is an ass and shouldn’t even be called a doctor, but I don’t go around telling everyone that he’s God’s gift to the medical profession. Even the Knowing is a cocky ass when it comes to how cherished females are.” Grace pointed at her cheek, heat from the large bruise emanating from the area, and she twirled her finger. “This is a weird way of cherishing. Just saying.”
Kozav’s growl rumbled through the room once more, continuing on and on until she wondered if he’d go full dragon right in front of her. That… would not be a good thing. Not when she was pretty sure a full-grown Preor would more than fill the space, crushing everyone in the room.
Grace tucked away her anger, knowing she could deal with it later. “Kozav.” His growl lessened, but the furious expression remained in place. “I will admit that it would have been best if I’d waited for you. However, the Knowing provided me with directions to medical,” —while also helping her avoid as many Preor as possible since she knew she was sorta in the wrong— “So I wouldn’t have gotten lost. As for Impe, no one could have predicted he’d react the way he did.”
“Impe?” Barely banked violence filled the single word. “Impe sen Viz’on? The male who is supposed to be confined?”
At least his anger moved away from her.
A tone filled the room, quickly followed by the ship’s voice. “Primary Warrior Kozav, your attention is needed. Engineering Master Vende requires your assistance.”
Kozav closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, and Grace had the good sense to stay quiet. When he finally returned his attention to Grace, he responded to the ship while keeping his eyes on her. “Inform Vende I am en route.”
“Confirmed.”
“Shaa kouva,” the endearment came out as a snarl. “I am placing a warrior outside medical. When you are prepared to leave, he will escort you to our rooms and you will remain there until I resolve Vende’s problem. Am I understood?”
Grace managed to keep herself from launching into a massive tirade about women’s rights and instead, responded with a single word. “Yes.”
He didn’t say anything else after that, merely spun away and stomped back the way he’d come, not slowing when he reached the exit and the doors parted for him. She spied the aforementioned guard, a yellow warrior stationed to the left of the portal.
Goody.
“Grace Celina Hall.”
Grace winced. Not only was her mom awake, she was awake and busting out Grace’s full name. Not good. “Hi, Mom. How are you feeling?”
Maybe focusing on her mother’s condition instead of Grace’s would allow her to escape without a lecture.
Donna turned her head and her familiar, narrowed eyes met Grace’s. “Don’t ‘how are you feeling’ me.”
Nope, no such luck.
“Did you really—”
“Yes,” Grace sighed. “To all of the above.” Might as well come clean. “I was just so worried about you that—”
“You risked your life.”
“I didn’t think there was any danger,” she mumbled. Conveniently forgetting what happened the first time she’d ventured into the ship’s halls and originally encountered Impe.
“Uh-huh.” Her mom’s rough voice held more than a hint of disbelief.
“Did I mention I was worried?”
“Gracie…” Her mother’s gaze softened and she lifted her hand from the bed, gesturing for Grace to come forward. “Let me tell you a little about these men.”
Grace couldn’t help it; she groaned. “You just met them. How can you know anything more than me?”
The look on her mom’s face told Grace not to question her. Dammit, her mother always knew everything there was to know about everything. It was like magic. Her mom said it was just being old. She carefully slid from the platform, clutching the edge until she was sure she wasn’t gonna crumble to the ground. Once sure, she shuffled to her mom, giving the healer a soft smile when he placed a chair near her mom. Grace lowered herself and grasped her mother’s hand, surprised at her strength. Mere hours and already Donna was doing better.
“With or without wings, men are men, sweetheart. Now, you listen to me, Gracie Celina…”
This was going to be a very long lecture.
12
Kozav trudged back to his quarters, relieved that Dam Hall was resting well and that the healers were doing everything they could for the female. His mate cared for her dam very much—enough to risk herself—and he was not sure how she would deal with losing Dam Hall. He told the healers his mate should never find out what it is like to live without a dam, his threat clear.
Grease and soot from engineering clung to his skin and wings and he fluttered them, trying to shake off some of what remained. Exhaustion pulled at him, beckoning him to fall into bed and let sleep claim him. Except he did not believe it would be that simple. He’d left Grace in medical, a bruise marring her cheek and furious words on his tongue. That she’d endanger herself in such a way, leave the safety of their rooms without escort… He shook his head. He could not believe such a thing. Even after speaking with Dam Hall, he could not understand how human females could be so careless.
“When a woman grows up depending on no one but herself, she’s gonna continue that way even if she’s no longer alone.”
It was up to him to prove himself dependable and strong. He would sho
w her that troubles and worries were no longer hers alone.
The words were easy enough to say. He was not sure follow-through would be equally as simple. Not when the urge to roar overtook him every time he remembered the purple of her face.
Kozav breathed deeply and fought for calm, smoke escaping his nose with the exhale. He could not approach his mate still furious. He should have worked off all of his anger in engineering, but it still chased him. During his talk with Grace’s dam, he’d calmed much more, her gentle ways similar to his departed dam’s.
Yet, approaching his quarters, anxiousness and anger surged. Anxiousness? Yes, he was worried Grace would not be where she was supposed to be. He’d given orders, but Grace was a human female who had a mind of her own. According to her dam.
He stopped in front of his door, preparing himself for a rush of disappointment and fury. Where was the docile, giving female he’d dreamt of? Where was the mate who resembled his dam? One who would not challenge him, but work with him hand-in-claw. Were Melissa joi Jarek and Lana joi Taulan this difficult? He did not believe so.
He shook his head. He needed to embrace acceptance. The skies gifted him—him—with a mate. She was gorgeous in her strength, her lush curves alluring and tempting, and the stubborn angle of her jaw was seductive even as she annoyed him.
Grace was beautiful from her soft curls to her small feet.
Grace Celina.
Human names that mean God’s gift from the skies.
A gift he would accept. He would simply work on his patience and perhaps she could work on being his other half instead of continuing to stand on her own.
It would take comm-pro-mize. He was unfamiliar with the human word, but Dam Hall explained the concept easily.
They would both have to bend and do their best not to break each other.
Kozav braced himself and placed his thumb on the identipad. It did not take the ship long to identify him and grant him entrance. He strode in, gaze scanning the area for any sight of his mate.
And he did not find her.
“Ship, locate—”
“Kozav?” Grace peered around a corner, standing in the small hallway that led to the food preparation area. The purple on her cheek was no longer present, Preor technology now fully attuned to human physiology. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Primary Warrior Kozav?” the ship interrupted.
“Disregard orders,” he snarled at the vessel and grimaced when his mate flinched.
He truly needed to get a hold of himself.
Grace swallowed hard and waved her hand toward the meal preparation area. No, humans called it a kitchen. “I’m making a snack because I wasn’t sure what you like to eat. Do you want me to try and cook?”
Perhaps this was one of those olive branches Dam Hall spoke of. “If you will give me a moment to cleanse, I can prepare us a true Preor feast fit for a Haclu.”
Grace deserved a meal fit for royalty considering all she’d endured before they met and after he’d claimed her.
“But you’ve been working hard all day. I’m happy to… try?” She nibbled her lower lip and Kozav could no longer control himself. Not when she presented such a pretty temptation.
He slowly padded forward, closing the wide gap between them, and not stopping until no more than six inches separated them. “It is my honor to prepare this meal for you. It is our first night as a mated couple.”
A pink flush tinged her cheeks and she took a small step back. Historical records and data mined from the Earth Internet indicated he should not pressure her. Kozav did not believe lessening the space once more was pressure.
“Oh.” She licked her lips, plump bits of flesh tempting him to nibble. “I…” Her eyes darted around the room, settling on everything but him.
Kozav cupped her face, thumb gently stroking her injured cheek. “Are you well?” He glared at the spot, hating himself for his failure. “Did medical heal you entirely?”
They would not be able to heal Impe or Sugal once he found them. They’d both vanished from sensors and began causing trouble throughout the ship, which was why he’d been away from her for so long. Critical system after critical system failed and the Masters needed every strong and intelligent male they had.
Grace nodded. “Yeah. And I’m sorry about—”
He rested his thumb across her lips. “Your dam indicated it would be best if we agreed we were both wrong and that perhaps we should begin anew.”
The corners of her lips tilted upward in a small smile. “She had a come to Jesus meeting with you, too?”
He frowned, trying to mentally connect this Jesus person to his discussion with Dam Hall. “I do not understand. I did not speak to Jesus.”
Her small smile blossomed into an outright grin. “It’s when you have to sit down with someone and listen to some cold, hard truths about yourself and your behavior.”
“I did not sit.”
Grace laughed and it was the first time he’d ever heard such a sound from her. It was filled with happiness, and it sank into his heart. For the first time in centuries, joy infused him and hope sparked to life. With her chuckles, she leaned forward and placed her hand on his chest. Another first—a voluntary touch. He held his breath, afraid to make any move that might discourage her. Her gaze fell to where she stroked him, her pale fingers a stark contrast against his dirtied flesh. She ran her fingers in small circles on his body, the tips picking up dust and grease and leaving tanned skin in her wake.
“I should cleanse, shaa kouva.” He laid his hand over hers, stilling her movements. “The moment I am done, I will prepare a meal for us.” She nodded but didn’t move, her palm still resting on his flesh. “Shaa kouva?”
“What happened to Impe?”
Kozav curled his lip. “He has not yet been recaptured. Both Impe and his uncle Sugal were freed by unknown warriors. Detzan is doing a security sweep of the ship and every warrior in the area is being interviewed.”
“Oh.” Her skin paled the slightest bit and he gave her a new vow.
“I will protect you, shaa kouva. He will not touch you. He will not harm you.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I would die first.”
13
Grace had no idea if the meal set before her rivaled a Haclu’s or not, but it smelled delicious. Kozav settled one large plate between their two placements on the table and soon joined her. She leaned forward, breathing in the scents that wafted from the cooked meat and vegetables.
Kozav lifted a utensil, something that appeared similar to an Earthen fork but looked to be made of wood with only two tines.
A dalk. Meant to mimic two pointed, Preor claws. Blunted ones were provided to dragonlets.
Well, no one could say the Knowing wasn’t helpful.
He took the dalk and pointed at various mounds scattered on the platter. “Grilled katoth with a few spices that were favorites of my dam. It is similar to beef but richer.” He gestured at another. “Tapix with taqi sauce. A true delicacy. Tapix is similar to chicken, but the taqi sauce requires a special plant found only in the lowest regions of Preor. It grows on the edge of the Gor Ari sea, clinging to the cliffs of Udriea.” He speared a lump and lifted it to her mouth, the rich, red-brown sauce dripping from the bite.
“The winds never cease on the cliffs and a warrior must be both skilled and strong to harvest the taqi.” She opened her mouth, letting his low murmur seduce her. “I gathered this myself before the fleet launched. The Gor Ari nearly got me.”
He traced her lower lip, his passion-glazed eyes seeming glued to her, and she flicked her tongue out to gather a bit of the sauce left in his wake. Flavors burst across her tongue and she savored the small taste. Rich. Peppery. Creamy. It coated her taste buds in the alluring flavors and she parted her lips farther. He held the bite steady and leaned forward, pulling the piece into her mouth. More of those tastes filled her and she moaned at the sweet tenderness of the meat. The sauce remained a fiery spice while the tapix added a ban
king sweetness.
Passion stirred, her body warming with his nearness and the intimacy of being fed by him. She took her mother’s words to heart and was doing her best to relax and take Kozav at face value, not as a man intent on controlling a woman.
She chewed and swallowed. “Why would you risk your life for a spice?”
Preors couldn’t chance getting water on their wings. It essentially made them useless. If they got wet over an ocean, it was sure death. That he would fight the wind on the cliffs of Udriea…
“Because when I prepared to journey to Earth in search of a mate, I knew that she deserved the best.” Sparkling eyes drilled into hers. “Always.” He returned his attention to the plate, spearing something else. “Ikati. On Earth, you would call it sale-feesh. It also calls the Gor Ari home.”
“Preors don’t fish for food.” She wasn’t sure if that was a statement or a question. They were back to the ocean equaling death.
“No, but when the ikati mate, they linger at the sea’s surface. A quick and skilled Preor can capture one for his mate.” He pressed the bite to her lips and she accepted it without hesitation. He’d compared the ikati to another Earth animal, but it was that and so much more. She couldn’t put her finger on how it differentiated from human food. It was just… more. “I flew through the skies and when this one jumped above the seas, I caught him with my own hands.” His eyes burned with banked fire. “Hands. I did not embrace my dragon and catch him with claws like many other males do. My mate deserved better.”
So, he’d risked his life twice for this meal. He’d used his strength to fight the winds along the craggy shore of the ocean and then again when he caught the fish. “I don’t need this.” She shook her head. “You shouldn’t risk your life for food.”
But she wouldn’t let it go to waste, either.
“I had to prove myself, shaa kouva.”
“There’s nothing to prove.”
He cupped her cheek. “How wrong you are. I had to prove to myself that I was strong enough to care for you—save you—from any situation.” Something clouded his expression for a moment, a brief darkening of his eyes before he withdrew. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen the whisper caress of sadness, grief, and anger.