Page 102 of Stars in Nova

Kisan reached for her and pulled her to him. ‘They know you’re fighting for them. They’re strong because of you.’

She smiled, resting her head against him. ‘You’re good at this, you know. Reassuring me.’

‘Comes with the territory,’ he rasped, his tone grave as he added, ‘If we survive this, maybe more kids will be required.’

Samira froze, her breath catching. She pushed herself up, staring at him. ‘Did you just—what?’

Kisan tried to hold her gaze but failed, his eyes flickering away. ‘I didn’t mean to—’ He stopped, his utterance thick. ‘Forget it.’

‘Nada,’ she said, her hands cradling his face. ‘Don’t you dare downplay what you just said.’

Her thumbs brushed his cheeks, her eyes softening as she leaned in to kiss him. ‘You want that? A future with me?’

He nodded. ‘I never thought I’d want anything like it, didn’t think I deserved it. But with you, it doesn’t seem impossible.’

Samira’s lips curved into a smile, and she kissed him again, this time deeper, their connection reigniting as they clung to each other.

Mirage chimed again, her elevated inflection cutting through their haze. ‘We’re in Skardis airspace, people. Please prepare for landing.’

Samira groaned, burying her face in Kisan’s neck. ‘Ignore her.’

‘I’d love to,’ Kisan rasped with a wry grin. ‘But we’ve got a rogue monk to wrangle.’

She nipped at his collarbone. ‘He can wait.’

‘Samira,’ he grunted, his tone shifting to mock sternness. ‘Get up.’

‘Nada.’

‘Up,’ he insisted, rolling her off him with a simper as she protested.

She twisted in his embrace, laughing as they tumbled across the bed.

He pinned her down, his tattoos glowing against his skin as he loomed above her.

For a moment, he hesitated, his aqua eyes searching hers. ‘Fokk, I adore you.’

‘And I you,’ she whispered back, reaching for him.

Caught off guard, she gave a tiny scream when, with a wicked leer, he swung her into his arms. ‘Shower. Now.’

‘You’re no fun,’ she grumbled as he strode toward the bathroom door with her in his arms.

‘Woman, you’re stalling,’ he rasped, placing her feet down and giving her ass a playful tap. ‘Get in, or I’m dragging you in myself.’

She glared at him over her shoulder, but the hint of a smile betrayed her. ‘You win. For now.’

As the spray hissed to life behind the closed door, Kisan moved to the guest quarters, took a rushed sonic rinse, dressed, and headed for the galley.

The scent of freshkahawasoon filled the air.

He poured two cups and set them on the table just as Samira emerged, her dark hair damp and curling against her shoulders. Kisan reached for her and gave her a long, languorous kiss.

‘Eat,’ he commanded, his eyes lingering on her longer than necessary, pushing her down onto the booth.

The Cephei’s mess was a small, efficient space with polished steel counters and built-in panels displaying data on their trajectory.

Plates of eggs, bacon, hot rolls, and re-hydrated fruit sat between them.

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