Page 27 of Lashe

“I wonder how long Stelis is going to leave us dangling out here,” Anna said.

“Maybe she’s mad at both of us.”

She shrugged. “Shewasvery upset that I was coming out here to rescue you.”

“She’s also monitoring your vital signs, and she knows you’re in no danger.”

“Still. I’d like to get back on board. I can’t exactly call these suits comfortable.”

“I’m sure she’ll let us back soon,” I said. “And thank you.”

“For what?”

“Saving my life, obviously.” I grinned. “It was supposed to be the other way around, you know. The Destran warriors usually rescue the females.”

Her face screwed up in distaste. “Who fed you that line of crap? In all the best stories, the princess rescues the knight.”

“You’re a princess now?” The tether began to retract, pulling us up towards the shuttle. “Giving yourself a promotion, I see.”

“I think I deserve one. It’s not every day that a woman gets to save her big handsome Destran mate from an alien predator.”

I wanted so badly to kiss her, but I would have to settle for our plastoid helmets pressed together for a little longer. “You are nothing less than my queen. Today and every day, it’s my desire to please you, protect you, love you.”

She smiled as a tear ran down her cheek. “And you, my love, are my king. Today and forever.”

CHAPTER 16

Anna

“Istill can’t believe you lived through all that,” said Bryn. The former security expert propped her organic and cybernetic legs up on the table in Sibyl’s private lounge. It was opulent, in a Destran sort of way. That meant the surfaces were plush and full of rich colors, the furniture was incredibly comfortable and functional, and a soft, sweet breeze moved through the room. Six of the seven women were here, with Tarla being away with her mate, Kael, to visit with some of her human family on a resort space station.

Bryn waved a hand. “You need weapons installed on your ship.”

“Against the rules,” I said, popping a replicated grape in my mouth. “Diplomatic ships are supposed to be respected by all other ships in the galaxy and left alone.”

“Doesn’t help when you’re attacked by a fucking space alien,” she said with a frown and a toss of her long blond braid over her shoulder. “Bullshit rule. You should appeal.”

“I think Lashe will,” I said. “He said he’s going to put together a proposal.”

Bryn snorted at that, but Sibyl nodded. “I will add my agreement to that, Anna,” said the oldest of the women, and back when they had been on a mission to study a far-off planet, she had been the project leader. In many ways, she still was. Her mate, Damiron, was a massive, brutal-looking Destran who adored Sibyl. “I think we all would.”

“Definitely,” said Lexi, the sunny and outgoing redheaded sociologist who was a bright contrast to her dark and serious mate, Grael. “But we’re just happy you’re here, finally.” It was well past New Year’s at the eighteenth of January, but Lashe and I had made it to the Destran planet after spending several memorable weeks at the Likka-5 space station for repairs. It had been wonderful to spend the time with Lashe alone. We’d had a suite and had barely left it.

Lexi held up the color-changing scarf I’d gotten for her. “Ilovethis. It’s so beautiful. Thank you, again.”

Wyn, who still practiced medicine on the Solas, held up her glass oftagmawine. “And this is delicious, but you knew that.”

I grinned. “It’s one of my favorites, too. I’m just glad it made it out to Likka-5 before I left, since Lashe and I drank the original bottle I’d gotten for you.”

“I will save some for Scaron, although I will appreciate it more than he will.” She shrugged and took a sip. “He will always preferlamito anything.”

“Fuck that. We’re eating this cheese,” said Jetta, holding out the tray ofviot’nameats and cheeses that had also arrived when I reordered it and had it delivered to the space station Lashe and I were staying at. “I love Savair and I’ll save him some of the meat, but cheese is sacred.” She popped a creamy square in her mouth and moaned. “Oh god, synthesized cheese isn’t the same. It just isn’t.”

I took a piece and let the salty flavors melt in my mouth. “You’re so right.”

“So, what’s the plan for you and Lashe?” Lexi asked. “Is he going to remain your transport operator?”

I laughed. “Oh, yes. He doesn’t trust anyone else to fly me around the quadrant. And honestly, I wouldn’t want anyone else to. He’s a good operator.”

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