Page 16 of Willow and the Wraith

He spun around to find Willow at the door, a steaming plate in her hands. Fuck. He’d neither heard or scented her approach. Such carelessness would get him killed if he wasn’t careful.

He managed to shake his head, and she smiled and held out the plate. The scent of warm food wafted through the cockpit, reminding him how long it had been since he’d eaten. He hesitated, unsure how to respond to this unexpected gesture.

“You should eat something,” she said, her voice soft but insistent. “You’ve been up here for hours.”

He took the plate mechanically, still struggling to process the situation. No one had ever brought him food before. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had shown concern for his well-being.

She smiled, a gentle curve of her lips that made something in his chest tighten.

“There’s plenty more if you’re still hungry after that.”

She turned to leave, and before he could stop himself, words tumbled from his mouth.

“Stay.” He cleared his throat, shocked at his own request. “If you want, I mean. To keep me company.”

The words hung in the air between them, and he felt a flash of panic. What was he doing? This wasn’t like him at all. He opened his mouth to take it back, to send her away, but she was already settling into the co-pilot’s chair.

“I’d like that,” she said, smiling at him.

He sat down heavily, his mind reeling.

“Have you eaten?”

“Oh, yes. It was wonderful to have something other than porridge.” She shook her head. “I shouldn’t say that. Malacar and Sooni shared their food with me, even though they had very little. They’re very kind.”

And I am not.

He didn’t voice the sentiment. Instead he picked up the utensil, more out of a need to do something with his hands than actual hunger. The first bite surprised him - it was good, better than the bland nutrient packs he usually subsisted on. Although he always stocked the ship with fresh food, he rarely bothered to cook.

They sat in silence for a few moments, the quiet broken only by the soft hum of the ship’s engines. He found himself stealing glances at Willow, trying to understand why her presence affected him so strongly. She was very attractive, especially when she smiled, and her body was small but perfectly formed. And yet, he’d met other females who were just as attractive and never experienced the same sensation.

Her gaze caught his, and he felt an odd sensation in his stomach. He quickly turned away, unnerved by his reaction. This wasn’t him. He was cool, dispassionate, and always in control. And yet here he was, flustered by a simple smile from a female.

The silence stretched on, and he cursed himself for his foolishness. Why had he asked her to stay? What had he hoped to accomplish?

To his relief, she spoke first, her voice low and hesitant.

“Where are we going?”

“To Farlain. The king is mated to a human female. You will be safe there.”

“Is that how you knew about humans?”

“It’s one reason.”

He’s actually encountered another human female previously, but he didn’t think she’d approve of the circumstances. To his relief, she didn’t press him.

“Is Farlain one of those sanctuary planets that Malacar told me about?”

“Not exactly,” he admitted reluctantly. “But the king will protect you.”

She smiled at him, her face warm and soft.

“Thank you.”

I should tell her I’m being paid to take her there. But something stopped him, a strange reluctance to tell her the truth. As if he couldn’t bear to see the look of disappointment on her face.

“I’d better go back and check on the others.”

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