Page 57 of Alien Haven

“I guess…I guess we did okay.” Detodev eyed Ilid. He appeared far from convinced, but there was a spark of hope in his expression.

Ilid’s mind whirled. Had he acted like a Dramok? He mostly remembered the fear, but he’d also been ready to assume as much control over the situation as possible.

Charity’s warm attention abruptly lessened, as if something unpleasant had occurred to her. Mischief invaded and held sway as she planted her hands on her hips and affected impatience. “I declare the matter settled. Can we have dessert already?”

Ilid had little consideration for her silly hijinks. He exchanged another look with Detodev, who looked as shocked as he felt. Charity and Mitag were right about the Nobek behaving as a true, honorable warrior and protector. Were they correct in their assessment of Ilid too?

The cheesecake was delicious, but Charity couldn’t offer it the regard it deserved after the events of the night.

She’d wished to make the men to feel better about themselves. She’d wanted Detodev and Ilid to emerge from their shells, if only for a moment or two. Long enough to realize they wouldn’t be destroyed if they revealed why they were so reserved.

She hadn’t expected Mitag’s revelation. She hadn’t guessed the horrors Ilid had survived and still fought in his head. Detodev getting the unforeseen opportunity to show himself his breed didn’t equal mindless violence had been a meaningful development. She had yet to process the fallout of O’Neal’s treachery.

Such considerations paled in comparison to recognizing the shift in her view of her friends. On the shuttle heading to Haven, she’d seen Ilid as a sexy potential recreational interlude. She’d had the same attitude toward Detodev and Mitag once she’d metthem. Then she’d discovered she liked the men. The opportunity for novelty sex involving a species she hadn’t tried had grown less important in comparison to earning their respect and trust. The camaraderie they’d incited made them important to her.

To discover they’d experienced painful pasts and losses on par and beyond her own had changed her perceptions again. Ilid, Detodev, and Mitag weren’t mere playmates to alleviate her boredom. They were no longer distractions during her exile on Haven. She couldn’t imagine treating them as such.

She set down her fork, having finished her slice of cheesecake. She grasped Ilid’s hand and smiled when he looked at her, his face sweet from confused vulnerability. She turned to Mitag and took his hand too. Grateful Detodev was in reach, she placed her and the Imdiko’s hands on top of his.

“You aren’t sure of yourselves and for good reason. I hope someday you can learn how wonderful you are.”

Surprisingly, it was Detodev who answered. He rotated his hand on the tabletop, his fingers long enough to grip hers and Mitag’s. “I wish I could see myself as you do, Matara. It hardly seems possible.”

“Give yourself the chance. All of you.” She smiled at them. “I thought my sister had won the ideal clan; the best Dramok, Imdiko, and Nobek to exist. I’m glad to see there are three additional Kalquorians just as perfect in this crazy universe.”

Detodev stared at the hands in his. He felt how Charity and even Mitag held tight to him. When his gaze lifted, he saw Ilid looking at him. Not in revulsion or pity. Respectfully. This from a man who’d encountered a shattering enemy and fought a battle that made Detodev’s insignificant self-doubt a joke.

They accepted him. A woman, who had every right to expect a rational protector guided by concern instead of bloodlust, andtwo of his fellow Kalquorians, who should have looked upon him in derision.

They accepted him.

The implications shook his foundations. For the first time he could remember, he felt optimistic his path wouldn’t be lonely. Perhaps he did have the prospect to win others as he truly was…a Nobek desperate to leash his inner beast. Mitag had pursued his companionship unknowing, but he radiated the same interest in Detodev as ever. Ilid’s easy Dramok control had soothed the monster in him while he’d had O’Neal at his mercy.

Charity’s issues presented an opening for continued trouble, but she believed in him. He wanted to keep her safe from those who’d harm her. If Ilid were close should she came under threat again, he could hold off Detodev from his worst.

Charity had no intention of staying on Haven, but why would Detodev refuse the time he could have in her company? Especially after their encounter in the barn, when she’d granted him the best night of his life?

He had no business dreaming of the impossible. Surely they’d turn from him when he showed he couldn’t defend them from threats for fear of going too far and killing someone. Nonetheless, he spoke, giving voice to a portion of his ridiculous hope.

“Would you three care to spend the night?”

Their grins lit his world. He lost no time leading them to the sleeping room.

Chapter Fourteen

Ilid had hoped to get Charity to himself for their first real intimate encounter, but Detodev’s invitation was a relief in the wake of the Dark scare. Thanks to two other men being present to help watch their backs against dangers imagined and real, hemight actually be able to perform. The heat in his groin as he considered Charity, who fairly wiggled in anticipation, verified he would.

Another integral part of his being rose in opposition. His heart sank to realize a clan-like encounter might not happen after all in Detodev’s surprisingly luxurious sleeping room. “It’s your home, Detodev. Your domain, so to speak. Even so, I’m unsure if I can keep from being…well…”

“A bossy Dramok,” Charity supplied.

“Maybe I should sit this one out.” Ilid winced as he spoke the words.

“Oh, come on.” Charity’s eyes rolled.

Detodev considered. “Actually, it might be for the best if you ran the show. As committed as I am to nonviolence, I still have the urge to fight for dominance. If I forget myself and hurt any of you—”

Charity came close to him and stroked his muscled arm. “I doubt you would, even if you did wrestle Ilid for the privilege of calling the shots. Hey, you were assertive last night, and I survived perfectly fine.” Her impish gaze swung to Ilid. “Maybe I’ll fight you for control, Dramok.”

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