Page 20 of Ava Stargazer

Vox breathed out heavily, his glow turning to an intense shade of purple as he did so. “The Tuxa are looking into Humans and Iryl found a camera in his quarters, so I am wondering if others are now interested. Something is being hidden there.”

“Camera? Oh. Do you think it’s connected?”

“It’s too much of a coincidence. It could be related to Humans, or it could just be another species feeling threatened after hearing the stories from the Tuxa about how we fight. Regardless, when we get back, I think going to Cipra needs to become a priority.”

“Yes. Okay.”

Vox’s eyes snagged on her face as she nibbled on her lip before she said, softly, “It’s the most confusing thing. I know we need to go to Cipra and I want to, but I also don’t.”

He squeezed her hands, desperate to have her understand, looking her in the eyes. “It’s hard when it’s so personal.”

“Will you be able to break one? When you go? There on the board?”

Vox looked away, frustrated that he couldn’t do just that. “Probably not. These are official peace talks, and we do not wantany blood spilled on Elyheim. Iryl will play the feed of you, and hopefully that will be enough to bring some insights to the top of their minds that we can gather. That’s about the limit we can risk.”

He watched Ava mull on that for a moment. “Why was Iryl not able to find enough out?”

Vox shook his head. “Iryl tried, but he has not been in battle with the Tuxa as much. Familiarity strengthens the connection and lets us go deeper easier. Rhutg is truthfully the strongest of us right now.”

Vox swallowed, his throat dipping and his eyes molten as he continued, “I do not want to leave you, Ava. I really don’t. My mother can come stay here, or Sai ... or you can go to the communal housing and sleep with the other women. They usually band together when the men go off.”

He watched as Ava swallowed down her anxiety and put a determined look on her face. She said just as forcefully, “I need to learn to be alone sometimes too. It’s fine. It’s safe here. I don’t need someone to watch me.”

Good.A flush of pride went through him, seeing her resolve. “Yes, it’s very safe. There’s beasts deep in the jungle, but nothing that will bother you here.”

Ava shook her head. “I want to stay here and continue sorting. It will be best for me to keep busy.”

He reached for a hairbrush and held it up in question, needing the solid activity, and to feel her safe in his arms again after watching that video from earlier. “I will still talk with Sai about visiting. Construction will also be happening on the ship, so you won’t be truly alone.”

Ava scooted close, and he brushed out her hair. She winced as he found a knot. She asked, her tone speculative, “Did the quorum have any opinion? About everything?”

They were still not understanding.He said though, as he brushed, “They were nervous, but they always are. They are nervous without attempting to do anything about it.” Their reactions flashed through his mind, but he kept his hands calm as they stroked her hair. “The quorum will find more and more that things will start moving faster and faster without them.” He finished and set down the brush, still unsettled.

Ava sat and ate the eggs that had grown cold during their talk. He watched her, contemplative.I wish we were past all this and able to just finally settle.

He enjoyed watching her eat the food he prepared. It fulfilled his need to take care of her. Just like how going and facing the Tuxa filled that need as well. He was solid in his plan to go to the board and assess the threats for himself.I will take care of this.The need to protect was in his biology, and the satisfaction of taking action thrummed in his veins. Yet, watching her eat, his resolve firmed as much as it wanted to break again when she looked up at him with those vulnerable brown eyes rich with the knowledge he would be leaving her.

Her tone was wistful as she said, “How long will you be gone?”

He forced his voice to be soothing. “Not long. A week at most.”Ava will be alone though.Vox shifted, and his hearts began to pound.Alone and unmarked.That thought made his vulnerability express itself in a bright blue hue that flashed across his body as he looked away. Was leaving like this really the best move? But if their dynamic, their relationship, was to work he needed to be able to address things like this as they happened.

He looked back to see Ava’s eyes narrow on him. “What are you afraid of, Vox?”

Distaste coated his tongue.No secrets. He hesitated only a second before he pressed forward and said in a rush, “Other males might make use of my absence and attempt to charm you.The interest in you is strong.” The curiosity he felt from others put him on edge when they were in public. In his home, though, none would dare approach uninvited.

He was not expecting to hear a laugh from Ava at his confession. It was a tinkling sound that he adored, but not right now in this context.Like bells ringing.Vorbax could laugh, but it was more guttural than the sound she made when she was happy. Nothing sounded like Ava did when she laughed. He loved that sound almost as much as he loved her imaginings.

She turned and put her hand on his arms, and he moved to put his over hers. “You’re going on a mission to help me and you’re worried about other males?”

Vox ducked his head, confused by the rush of emotions he felt.Should I not be?

Ava took his head in her hands, climbing into his lap. She angled it down so her eyes met his. “Look. Inside.”

He didn’t need to be asked twice as she let herself fall open in a way that was becoming easier every day between them. He felt it, clearly, how loved he was by her. Her commitment. Vox breathed heavily, his shine deepening into a purple. He pressed his forehead firmly against hers. “I am yours, Ava. I will make sure you stay safe.”

She returned his forehead kiss, then angled down to kiss his mouth for real.

Vox returned the motion, kissing her deeply.I’ll prove it.

---