Jed reached over and clasped his forearm. “I won’t let you down.”
“It is more important that you do not let yourself down.”
The other male dipped his head in acknowledgment, and they parted ways.
Craxan could no longer prevent himself from returning to the cabin. His tail twitched eagerly as he approached, but he resolved to keep it under control. He had no business touching a female who did not belong to him, even though she did not seem disturbed by his touch.
As soon as he opened the door, her scent surrounded him, thick in the humid air. She must have taken a shower, and the thought of her naked body combined with her delectable fragrance caused an immediate response from his cock. Apparently neither his tail nor his cock were inclined to obey his wishes.
Or his eyes, seeking her out immediately where she lay sprawled in slumber on the lower bunk. The overhead lights caught sparks of gold in her soft brown hair. One of the meager blankets was wrapped around her, but it had slipped down to expose the curve of a pale, fragile shoulder. The clothes she had been wearing were hanging on the wall, and he realized she must be naked beneath the thin cloth. His cock jerked again, and he decided that he had best return to the training room for more exercise.
“I remember you.” The soft little voice jerked him out of his abstraction, and he looked up to see two purple eyes sparkling at him from the upper bunk. Sultavi was awake.
“What do you remember?” he asked equally quietly, reluctant to awake his—the—sleeping female.
“You said you wouldn’t betray us.”
He nodded, his chest aching at the trust on the innocent little face. “I would never betray you.”
“Besu betrayed us. My father is dead.”
Or perhaps not so innocent.
“I am sorry about that.”
Her lips quivered. “I didn’t see Father much, but I miss him.”
“I missed my father as well after he died.”
How much he had missed the kind older male. Then Vanha had assumed the role. The two were very different, but he had loved them both. And lost them both. Never again, he reminded himself as his chest ached.
Sultavi nodded solemnly, then her expression changed and she gave him a beseeching look.
“I want to get down now. I’ve been waiting and waiting, but Miss Joanna won’t wake up.”
“I think she was very tired.” He started to lean over the bottom bunk to lift her down, and she launched herself at him. She didn’t seem to have any doubt that he would catch her. Two tiny arms curved around his neck as she hugged him, and his heart melted.
“I’m glad you came for us,” she whispered.
His tail automatically came up to pat her back. “I am too,” he agreed.
And he was, he realized. Protecting Joanna and Sultavi made him feel more complete than he had felt since Vanha died, like he had a family again.
No. He couldn’t go there. He couldn’t risk losing another family. He was here to do a job and then he would let them go.
“Now that you are awake, what do you want to do?” he asked, trying to distract himself, and then realized he had made a mistake. He had no idea what to do with a small child.
“I’m hungry,” she announced.
Shame immediately washed over him as he stared at her in appalled horror. Why had he not considered that? A child in his care should never go hungry.
“I will remedy that at once,” he promised, then realized that in his haste to return to the cabin, he had not brought any of the supplies with him. “Although I am afraid you will have to wait, just a very short time, while I obtain something for you to eat.”
Big eyes gave him a pitiful look. “I want to go with you.”
He started to refuse, then reconsidered. Now that they were in space, she should be free from her father’s enemies. And since he had already declared her as his child, it would only be natural that she should accompany him. The lockers were only one level below them, and they were unlikely to run into any members of the small crew. But just in case…
“If we should encounter anyone else, they will think that you are my child,” he warned her.
She giggled. “But you’re green.”
“That does not matter.”
Those big purple eyes studied his face. “They think you’re my father?”
“Yes.”
“Does that mean I have to call you Father?”
“Is that what you called your parent?” When she nodded, her eyes sorrowful, he considered the matter. “Then perhaps another name would be best. What do you think of Papa?”
She tilted her head, then gave a satisfied nod. “I like it. Does that mean I can call Miss Joanna ‘Mama?’”
He looked down at the sleeping female, remembering her fierce devotion to the child and her offer to sacrifice herself so that Sultavi could go free.
“You can ask her when she wakes up, but I think she would like that very much.”
“Okay, Papa.”
His chest ached at the words he had never thought to hear. But this was a job, he reminded himself, and right now, he needed to provide for his young… daughter.
“Now I will feed you,” he promised.
She gave an excited squeal, quickly hushed, and threw her arms around his neck again. He fought back a smile as he slipped out of the cabin and locked the door behind him.
Halfway down the corridor, the young Vaivan appeared, carrying a mop bucket. He flinched at the sight of Craxan and drew back against the wall to let him pass.
“Hello,” Sultavi said cheerfully. “I’m Sultavi, and this is my papa. Who are you?”
The young male shot a doubtful glance at Craxan and mumbled something unintelligible.
“I can’t hear you,” Sultavi said impatiently.
“I’m Yengik.” He kept his eyes downcast as he spoke.
“Hello, Yengik. My papa is taking me to get something to eat.”
“Oh.” Yengik looked even more hesitant, but pointed back the way they had come. “The galley is in that direction.”
“I have supplies in my locker,” he said firmly. He had no intention of associating with the rest of the crew any more than necessary.
“Oh.” The young male bent over and picked up the bucket again, and Craxan’s curiosity got the better of him.
“Do you not have cleaning bots on this ship?” he asked.
“Y… yes.” Yengik ducked his head. “But Captain Merios told me to do it this way after he found me working on a robobeast.”
“A robobeast? I love those!” Sultavi exclaimed.
A shy smile crossed the boy’s face. “You can have it when I’m finished. If it’s all right with your father,” he added quickly, his smile fading.
“Please, Papa,” Sultavi begged.
He was no match for two pairs of hopeful eyes. “Very well. Now you must be about your duties, and I must feed my child.”
Yengik immediately rushed off.
“I like him,” Sultavi announced.
“I do too.” Despite Yengik’s obvious shyness - no doubt worsened by the way Merios treated him. He seemed so young, and yet Craxan suspected that he was the same age Craxan had been when he had escaped his dying planet. Had he been as awkward and ungainly, he wondered.
They met no one else on the way to the storage lockers, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Sultavi chose a packet of sweet biscuits and nibbled on them happily while he gathered a selection to take back to Joanna.
“Do you have any juice?” Sultavi asked, her mouth full of biscuit.
“I am afraid not.”
“There is juice in the galley.” The mocking voice was unmistakable, and he turned around to see Merios lounging against the door frame.
“We have other beverages,” he said firmly.
“Indeed? But why deny the child?”
The captain strolled into the room, then bent down in front of Sultavi. Every muscle in Craxan’s body tensed, but he didn’t want t
o start a fight so close to the child.
“Hello, little one. What’s your name?” The captain’s voice was surprisingly soft.
“I’m Sultavi.” She smiled proudly. “And that’s my papa.”
“Indeed?” Merios raised a skeptical eyebrow, but didn’t contradict her. “Since your… father won’t get you any juice, how about a sweet?”
The captain showed her his empty palm, then closed his fist. When he opened it again, a collection of small sweets covered the dark fur. Sultavi’s eyes widened.
“How did you do that?”
“Magic,” Merios said lightly. “Especially for you.”
She reached out her hand, then stopped and looked up at him. “Can I have them, Papa?”
He couldn’t resist her hopeful expression. “Yes, but you must save them for later.”
“How very parental.” Merios rose to his feet, brushing away an imaginary speck of dust from his immaculate jacket. “I am almost convinced.”
Craxan gritted his teeth, refusing to respond.
“And your mate?” the captain continued.
“Mama’s asleep,” Sultavi volunteered. “We’re getting her breakfast.”
“Most… appetizing.” Merios cast a disparaging glance at the collection of dried foods. “Some of those will require heating. You may use the galley if you wish. I won’t even charge you for it.”
He wanted to throw the offer back in the other male’s face, but Merios was correct. Some of the items would be more palatable if heated.
“Perhaps,” he said grudgingly.
“Of course, the galley is Rissta’s domain,” Merios added thoughtfully.
Craxan frowned at him. Was that some kind of veiled threat?
The captain laughed at his expression and shook his head. “I will let you experience that pleasure for yourself.” He turned back to Sultavi, his expression softening. “Goodbye, little one.”
“I like him too,” Sultavi announced as the captain disappeared.
He wanted to object, but she smiled up at him so innocently that he didn’t have the heart.
“He seemed to like you too,” he said truthfully. “Now let us go and see if your mama is awake.”
As soon as he opened the cabin door, he knew he was in trouble. A wide awake and very angry female advanced on him.
Chapter Six
Joanna snatched Sultavi out of Craxan’s arms. Tears threatened, both from anger and relief. She had woken up alone, feeling surprisingly rested, only to discover that Sultavi was no longer in the cabin. Horrific scenarios tumbled through her mind as she hastily pulled on her still damp clothing. A distant part of her mind told her that it would be foolish to leave the cabin, but her urgency to find the little girl drove her to the door, only to find out that it was locked.
When Craxan had said that it was keyed to his retinal scan, she had assumed he meant to keep others out. She hadn’t realized he meant to keep her trapped as well. How could she have been so foolish as to put her trust in him? Just because he was big and strong and had treated both of them with kindness didn’t mean that she could let down her guard.
She wanted to bang on the door, to scream for help, but if it was truly keyed to him, all it would do was attract unwanted attention. Instead, she closed the bunk and paced the small length of the cabin angrily, plotting increasingly more improbable plans for revenge.
Now Sultavi squirmed in her arms, and she realized she was holding her too tightly.
“Sorry, sweetheart.” She relaxed her grip even as she glared at Craxan. “How could you do that? I woke up and didn’t know where she was—or where you were. Why didn’t you tell me you were taking her?”
“You were sleeping. We did not want to disturb you.” His tail tried to pat her wrist and she angrily brushed it away.
“You could at least have left me a note.”
“You can read Galactic standard?”
His surprise only added to her anger.
“Of course I can. I’m an educated woman.” Opinnas had taught her over the past year.
He bowed his head. “I apologize. I should not have taken the child away from you without your knowledge.”
His obvious sincerity blunted her anger, but she couldn’t entirely let it go.
“And what makes you think it’s safe for her to leave the cabin?”
Sultavi had been watching them both anxiously, her eyes flicking between their faces.
“It was fun,” she said now. “Yengik said he would make me a robobeast and the captain gave me some sweets. But I can’t have them until later,” she added with a resigned sigh.
Joanna closed her eyes in despair. Apparently Sultavi’s identity was no longer secret.
Craxan’s tail curved comfortingly around her wrist again, and this time she let it stay.
“I have claimed her as my daughter,” he reminded her. “And I do not believe there is anyone on board who would wish her harm.”
“Are you sure?”
“It is my job—my honor—to protect you both.” Those black eyes fastened intently on her face. “I will never let you come to harm.”
She sighed and released the rest of her anger as she put Sultavi down. “All right. But I think we need to work on our communication skills.”
“Of course. I am willing to learn anything you wish to teach me.”
The words were innocent enough, but the warmth in his eyes was not. Several entirely inappropriate lessons sprang to mind and her nipples tingled, thrusting at the damp silk of her top. His eyes focused there with an almost tangible heat. The air between them seemed to thicken, until Sultavi spoke and broke the spell.
“Are we going to eat now?”
Craxan immediately looked appalled. “Did I not provide sufficient food earlier?”
“That was breakfast.” She gave him a sunny smile. “Now it’s time for lunch.”
The mention of food made Joanna realize just how hungry she was, and her stomach growled. Craxan looked even more horrified.
He’s disgusted because my body needs food?
“I am deeply sorry for my neglect,” he said, and she relaxed, patting his tail. He gave a muffled groan, and she realized he must be really upset.
“Don’t worry, Craxan. It’s been a hectic time.”
“That is no excuse.” He urged her to a seat on the bench with Sultavi beside her, then opened one of the wall panels to reveal a table which folded out in front of them. He proceeded to cover the surface with a wide selection of food packets. “I was not sure what you would enjoy.”
“That is quite a selection.” And none of them are familiar.
“Unfortunately, some of them would be better if they were heated,” he added apologetically.
“You mean a kitchen isn’t going to pop out of the magic wall?” she teased.
He grinned, a surprisingly charming grin despite the flash of fangs, and she realized it was the first time she had seen him smile so freely.
“The captain said we could use his galley, Mama. Isn’t that like a kitchen?” Sultavi asked, and Joanna froze.
“You called me Mama,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. As much as she thought of Tavi as her child, she hadn’t wanted to infringe on the memory of the female who had given birth to her. Not to mention that Lord K’herr would never have permitted his daughter to express that sentiment towards a slave.
“Is that all right?” Those big purple eyes looked up at her anxiously. “I forgot that Papa said I should ask you first.”
“Of course it’s all right. I would love for you to call me that.” She hugged the little girl, fighting back the tears. Then the rest of her words penetrated. “Papa?”
Craxan shrugged uncomfortably, his smile fading. “Just for the duration of our journey. I told the captain that I was bringing my mate and child on board. I thought it was for the best since if someone was looking for Sultavi, they would not suspect a girl traveling with her parents. In addition, the Cire were known fo
r their protectiveness towards their families.”
Family. It was something she hadn’t had in a long time, although she had done her best to create one with her students and her colleagues. Once again the tears threatened, but she forced a smile.
“I think it’s an excellent idea. Now, why don’t you sit down and join us? You can explain these foods,” she added doubtfully, picking up a package with what looked like worms on the label. Maybe they were like gummy worms.
“Those are Herbertan mealworms,” he said as he sat down, crushing her hopes. “They are very nutritious.”
Even though he was on the other side of Tavi, the bench was so small that she could feel the warmth of his big body and catch his delicious, tantalizing scent. His presence was almost enough to distract her from the package of worms. Almost.
“Umm, maybe later. What else do you have?”
She ended up with some dry noodles and a sticky paste that tasted rather like dates. At least they’re a change from crackers and meat jerky, she thought with a sigh, but she missed real food. In spite of everything, Lord K’herr had fed her well.
“I’m thirsty,” Tavi announced, then made a face when Craxan handed her a container of water. “I want juice.”
“We don’t have juice,” Joanna said gently.
“The captain does. In the galley. Right, Papa?”
“Yes.” He started to stand. “Perhaps I could—”
“Sit down and finish your meal,” she insisted. “Water is just fine. Isn’t it, Tavi?”
The little girl nodded reluctantly, returning to her own packet of noodles with a pout, but her usual good nature had returned by the time they were finished. Joanna turned the empty packages inside out while Craxan found a marker, and Tavi settled down to draw.
A warm weight brushed against Joanna’s leg and she looked down to see Craxan’s tail had curved behind the little girl and reached her side. Why did it feel so comforting? she wondered as she ran her fingers over the intriguingly textured surface.
Craxan made that odd sound again, and she looked up to find him watching her, his eyes heated. She started to pull her hand away, but his tail curled around her fingers, then settled on her thigh.
The Nanny and the Alien Warrior Page 5