Page 7 of Lashe

She blinked and a fraction of that anxiety eased from her eyes. “Thank you.”

For a moment, I thought I saw something more in her gaze. Something a little deeper than just gratitude and appreciation. But I’d be foolish to read into anything.Of course, she was thankful for my piloting skills. I was trained for almost every complication that could occur on trips. She expected nothing less of me.

I turned back around, facing front, and pushed the idea of it from my mind. What she couldn’t see was thatIwas terrified by the knowledge that I was the only thing between her and a hard death in the icy depths of space.

“Stelis, go through the systems and utilize any unnecessary power sources, rerouting what you can to boost thruster efficiency. Let’s try to get to this asteroid as fast as we can.”

“Right away, sir.”

Sir?That was the first time the AOA had ever called me that. “Just call me Lashe.”

“As you wish, Lashe.”

The thrusters choked on dust, but picked up speed as we headed for the asteroid. I could get used to Stelis answering to me. Having an onboard AI was helpful. It saved me the time of manually going through systems and rerouting power.

I did not take my eyes off the controls or the view ahead of me until the details of that rocky gray asteroid became clear. It was nothing to look at. If it had an atmosphere at all, it would be thin. The gravity would be weak. But landing there would give me a chance to get outside and repair the damage.

“Initiating landing sequence.” I turned in my seat to reassure Anna that we had reached our temporary destination. I openedmy mouth, but closed it as I took in the sight in the main cabin. She had drawn her knees up and tucked her arms tight against her body. She’d shifted to one side and had fallen asleep, head cocked at an angle that would probably mean a stiff neck later. I allowed myself a long moment of running my gaze over the female I had wanted for so long.

In sleep, the strain she carried around her eyes and mouth melted away. She was soft and beautiful. I wished I could pick her up and carry her into her quarters where she could rest more comfortably than curled up in that chair with the safety straps on.

“Shall I awaken her?” Stelis asked.

“No, let her sleep. We have a little longer before we touch down and honestly, I could use a rest too. That was taxing on the shipandus.”

It was a little weird to be open with the AOA. But it was true—that had been the most challenging encounter I’d had since taking this job. I was not as young as I’d been when I was a warrior in Damiron’s Sola. I had fought beside him against the enemies we faced during the attacks on our precious Sola. Then again, I lacked freshlamito heal and invigorate myself. I would be waiting longer for that, as the Destran planet was farther away than ever.

The shuttle touched down on the rocky surface, at the flattest stretch I could find. Readings outside were strange. It was windless, cold, and it had little oxygen, but also no toxic chemicals in the air. Still, I frowned at what I saw around me. The surface gave the look of a stormy, windblown planet. But there was no wind to be found. It was still and quiet.

I rose and crossed back to the main cabin. I crouched down before Anna. “Ambassador,” I said. “Wake up.”

She opened her eyes slowly, then they flew wide open, and she sat up straight. “I fell asleep.” She said it as if she was surprised and disappointed in herself.

I smiled wearily. “Yes. And you’re going to continue sleeping. Go to your chambers and go to bed. It is the dead of night in your day-night schedule. Rest in your bed.”

“What about you?”

“I admit, I need rest. I will sleep here.” I nodded to the main cabin.

“You don’t usually sleep.”

“True. But if I am to repair this ship, I need rest just as you do. So go on. I’m fine out here.”

Her gaze moved over my face and her brow knitted in concern. “I don’t think the floor is very comfortable.”

“I’ve slept on far worse. I am fine.”

She unclipped her safety straps and stood up stiffly, stretching her neck with a wince. “Don’t let me sleep too long. I want to help in any way I can.”

I stood up myself and took a step backwards. “Of course.”

She looked outside, eyes wide. “It looks rough out there.”

“It’s not that bad, honestly. We’re lucky we found this place. In a different sector, it could’ve taken years at our speed to make it to any space formation, like this one.” I gave another reassuring smile, pressing down the myriad concerns Ididhave. There were so many things that could go wrong. So many systems that might not be able to go back online with the tools I had here. “Sleep, Anna. You’re safe.”

For now.

She let out a little sound, like a cross between a whimper and a sigh, and came forward and wrapped her arms around me.

---