Page 32 of K'Vella

"Only to calm her," I say. "She's in pain, and I don't want her to be in pain."

"Sorry, no, of course."

Her eyes have a long, far-away look, and I don't know if my answer is good enough for her. I know K'Vella wouldn't want Avery in pain either, so I'm wondering if it's more that she's not the only female to respond to my purr that's making her think things that will only make her withdraw from me.

When we get to the navigation pit, I strap her into my seat and take Phial's. "Your job is simple. I need you to flip to this channel." I tap on the navigation comm and show her which channel. "When we make the jump, you need to request access to the shipyard."

Technically, I could do this alone, but I want K'Vella near me. One, because the last time she jumped, she passed out. And two, I want her by my side in everything I do.

"Where are we going?" K'Vella asks me as she looks over the navigation comm and tries to piece it together.

"We're going back to my clan."

I give her a small smile, and just like Phial earlier, I see a part of my K'Vella break and close off from me. I want to take my words back immediately because I've obviously done somethingwrong again. I can't second-guess my choices, though. Not when this is the only chance to get Avery the help she needs.

I grab K'Vella's hand after I set the coordinates for our jump. "What did you want to tell me earlier?"

K'Vella's eyes widen a fraction, and then she shakes her head. "It's not important. Not anymore."

I frown at her brushing it off because it seemed plenty important before Phial interrupted us. I turn back toward the comm and send out a message telling everyone to get strapped in wherever they are.

I start the jump before turning to K'Vella. "I don't believe you, so you'll tell me as soon as we get Avery some help, okay?"

K'Vella's flush creeps up from the V in her neckline. The ship whirs to life, and the jump initiates. The sound of it eats up her acceptance, but I hear it all the same.

This time, when she faints, I'm there to catch her and make sure she wakes up, knowing she's safe.

twelve

K'Vella

Ipass out during a jump again. At least this time, it's only for a few minutes. Then my body adjusts, and I'm awake, alert, and being lulled into complacency by Holoth's warm body and soft purr. We're sitting on the ground of the navigation pit, and my eyes go wide, realizing I failed at the one job Holoth asked of me.

"Yes, Holoth Lossblonthrow," he snarls into the comm device in his hand. "I know you know who I am, Nalith. We were in lessons together. My mother has thrown her shoes at both of us and your older brother."

"No, no. I'm sure that all checks out, but what I'm asking for before we allow you to dock is an answer to one simple question." The voice on the other end of the comm sounds smug and pleased with himself.

I shift in Holoth's grasp, and it makes his purring pick up volume enough to be heard over the comm, much to his own displeasure.

"Been too long off planet that you're purring for males now?" the voice laughs. "We just want to know why you're back. We have a bet going, and we forgot about it like two years ago, but now you're here. Jotho is searching for the betting pool."

"Let me dock my fucking ship," Holoth growls into the comm. "I'll answer all of your questions later, but I need to dock. I need assistance from the sisters. Do they still help females?"

The comm device goes quiet for a long while, and then the voice on the other end comes back much more serious. "Permission to dock granted. Please report all crew members and travelers."

"Holoth Losonblow, Rytharian. Essa Bylath, Haventh. Sloane Parker, Human. Phial Sym, Sytharan. Jovi Zuel, Alik Zuel, and K'Vella Akana, Varon. Avery I don't know her last name, Human-Rytharian hybrid."

"Thank you. Please proceed to the docking station." Nalith keeps up the serious tone, but I can almost hear the extra questions in his voice. "We ask that you all exit the ship in an orderly line. If you have weapons, they need to be visible. We request you do not take weapons away from the shipyard."

"We should be landing shortly," Holoth says into the comm as the ship approaches the planet's surface. They must not have an atmospheric shipyard here, which means we'll be landing on the ground.

As we approach the docking yard, there's only one other ship. It doesn't look like it's been moved in quite some time. There's a glow from the trees, signaling where homes and gathering spots are located amongst the dense forest.

Varon has forested areas, sure, but we mostly live in cities built on top of one another. There are various places around the planet where one might go for a getaway, but we don't live amongst the beauty and wilderness. No, we allow it to growwithout our interruption, whereas Rytharians have become one with their nature.

"We're docked, opening the doors now." Holoth's voice drags my attention away from the forest outside the ship. "We'll be out in about a minute." He places the navigation pit's handheld comm back on the dash when he finishes speaking, not waiting for a response from the other end.

"On your feet," Holoth says as he helps me off the ground and onto unsteady legs. He wraps an arm around me and guides me into the hall.

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