Page 10 of Alien Haven

She drew next to him and threaded her arm in his. “It’s so big out here. The sky goes on forever.”

He inhaled her scent and surmised she’d been baking stya rolls. Soft, airy breads, which practically melted in the mouth, they were among his favorites. He smiled at her.

I can finally breathe again.“I like it. I think Haven’s beautiful.”

“As is a certain young lady who shared our shuttle ride? Have you commed her to see how she’s settling in?”

“It’s a little soon, isn’t it? Are you in a hurry to clan me off your hands?” he teased.

“My home will always be yours. I simply want you to be happy. Jennifer made you smile more in three days than I’ve seen since you…since you returned from service.”

Since I was a prisoner of the Darks.

He warded off the sick memory. “She’s a special woman.” Vibrant and enthusiastic, Jennifer had helped him forget for minutes at a time the dangerous galaxy they lived in.

“She has promise. A mother’s instincts are seldom wrong when it comes to those who’d be right for her son.” Diju’s grin was self-assured.

Anguish rose again, determined to have its say. “What of her son’s rightness for potential clanmates? Can you guarantee that?”

Her smile faded. “You’re a wonderful man, Ilid. Caring, intelligent—”

“Damaged. Weak. After what happened, I might not be Dramok enough for anyone.”

“Stop it.” Diju tugged him to face her. “What you faced would have destroyed most men. You survived what no one else on your ship could.”

“And afterward? If it hadn’t been for a watchful security guard in the psych ward, I wouldn’t have lived to see today. I fell apart. There’s no getting around it.”

He regretted reminding her of his suicide attempt as tears brightened her purple eyes. “You’re here now. Yes, you had a bad spell. Who wouldn’t, considering what happened? But you were given a second chance. You faced down the fears and won in the end.”

“It hasn’t ended, my mother. Until the Darks or we are destroyed, it’ll never be finished, not truly.” He drew a breath and smiled for her sake. “But yes, I am feeling healthier. I have no wish to end my life any longer. I just don’t know if I’m the kind of Dramok any woman deserves. Particularly a lady as lovely as Jennifer.”

Diju’s sadness was palpable. When a few seconds ticked past, she visibly drew herself up. “You should let her make such a decision, shouldn’t you? Despite an inclination to have the sort of fun and excitement people your age tend to go for…or at least, her tendencies that I wishyou’dtry on for size now since rank isn’t your entire focus…and if your drive to succeed isn’tpure Dramok, I don’t know what is…” the slew of half-formed protestations faded as she ran out of breath.

Ilid chuckled.

She waved him quiet. “As I was saying, underneath a slight hint of irresponsibility a twenty-year-old woman is entitled to, Jennifer is an intelligent person. So be the wonderful man you are. Let her good sense tell her what a catch she’s found in you.”

“If she’s half the Matara you are, I could hardly do better.” Ilid hugged Diju, feeling how lucky he was to have lived, if merely to be near her.

“My son, you deserve the best.”

Ilid watched Diju go inside the pleasant home, smiling at her determination to find him someone special. Buoyed by her encouragement, he pulled his com from its belt sheath and scrounged up Jennifer’s frequency. He hesitated a moment as insecurity nibbled his gut.

What the hell, the worst she can do is say get lost. He clicked to connect.

“Ilid!” came the happy audio-only voice despite his having enabled vid on his end. “How was your first day on Haven?”

“Not bad. We’ve barely settled in at the place we rented, so I haven’t done much else but unpack. No vid picture of your gorgeous face? Did I catch you at a bad time?”

Her laugh made him smile. “My newly adopted little sister might come bursting in my room at any moment. There wasquitethe discussion during dinner when it comes to her dating.”

“Oh?”

“She’s twelve and not seriously thinking of it yet, but her Nobek dad is already having a coronary over the idea. If she comes in and sees me talking to a handsome Dramok, it might start a whole episode I’d rather avoid setting off.”

He chuckled. “It sounds as if Clan Amgar is all right.”

“They’re terrific. Such a sad story, though. Dramok Amgar himself died years ago saving the children from a fire. They’d clanned Sara mere months before. Sweet prophets, it’s a tragedy, starting with her first husband’s death just before her youngest was born. It breaks my heart.”

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