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“What theskrethare you talking about?!” The shikzeth growls and moves to grab Phelix, but he steps out of the way before they can.

“I saw how you looked at her. You contaminated her food. Do you want to fight me and add assaulting a noble to the list of crimes that’ll land you in a Consortium prison colony? I’ve already contacted station security—they should be here soon.”

The shikzeth’s nostrils flare and their eyes burn brighter, the only warning before they dart for the exit, knocking over a pair of aespians as they enter.

Mouth agape, I watch as Phelix straightens his jacket and strides back to the table with an air of total calm and control.Holy shit.

He offers a hand to Eden, who blinks at him rapidly before accepting his help to stand up.

“I don’t know about you two, but I’ve lost my appetite. Allow me to accompany you somewhere less unpleasant?” Phelix says, like he’s talking about the weather. “I’ll need to observe you to make sure you recover fully. Unless you’d prefer to go to a hospital. ”

“Uh, sure. Of course, Dr. Nafar,” Eden murmurs as she takes in the crowd still staring at us.

The host calls out apologies, which Phelix ignores as he leads us out of the restaurant. Eden and I trail behind him in stunned silence.

It’s only when we’re a block away that Phelix stops to speak again. “Sorry about all that.” He looks sheepish and there’s a slight flush to his cheeks. He clears his throat and puts his stoic mask back on. “Are you alright, Eden? How is your breathing?”

I wish he wouldn’t do that “show no emotion” nonsense that nexxit nobility have made an art of. I was just starting to not completely hate him.

“I’m okay. I’ll be shaky for a while, but my breathing is fine now. You were so gentle with your injection, I doubt I’ll even have a bruise.” Eden ducks her head like talking about his gentle touch embarrasses her. “Thank you so much, Dr. Nafar. You saved my life.” She bites her lip, then steps closer to Phelix, her face turning the same shade of pink as his skin as she goes up on her toes to kiss his cheek.

His whole body tenses at the touch and his breath hitches. Bizarrely, mine does too. I should be jealous, but all I feel is warmth and arousal at Eden’s gesture.

Phelix clears his throat as Eden steps back. “You would have done the same, doctor.”

As captivated as I am by the exchange, my protective urge rises again. “Pardon me for interrupting this touching moment, but what about that shikzeth?! Where’s station security? They tried to kill Eden!”

Phelix’s lip quirks as he takes in my rage. “There’s no proof they did anything wrong, as much as I’d like for them to pay for hurting Dr. Mori.”

I frown at him. “What? What do you mean there’s no proof? You said they contaminated her food!”

“Yeah, how did you know?” Eden asks, brow furrowing.

“I bluffed,” he says with a shrug. “The way they were looking at her was enough for me to suspect them and from their behavior, it turns out I was correct.”

Who is thisxalar? That sounds like something I’d do. “Youbluffed? My, my, that’s awfully bold of you, Lord Nafar. What ifyou were wrong?”

“You’ll learn that I’m not often wrong.”

I scoff, opening my mouth to remind him he’s a pompous ass who was wrong about me, but he continues. “At least not when it comes to matters that don’t involve the heart.”

“Ugh, stop making me like you!” I blurt, and the surprised way Phelix’s face lights up at my words makes my stomach clench.

Eden laughs, though it still sounds a bit ragged. Immediately, I turn to her and rest a concerned hand on her arm, doing my best not to shiver at the strange thrill that thrums through me as I do. “Are you sure you’re alright? Let’s take you back to your hotel.”

“B-both of you…with me at my hotel?” Eden swallows heavily.

I can’t tell if the thought makes her excited or nervous. Is it bad that it turns me on to think it’s a bit of both? I’m a sucker for the shy type—it makes it hotter when they finally come out of their shell and let go.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Phelix doesn’t do anything untoward,” I say with a laugh.

He grumbles at the thought he’d be anything but respectful, but Eden’s smile turns mischievous as she looks up at him through her glasses. “Ah, that’s a shame.”

Phelix sputters, whatever retort he had to my insinuation gone in the wake of Eden’s unexpected flirtation. It’s obvious he’s not opposed to the idea and while I know that should upset me since he’s my Goddess-damned mate, it sends another strange thrill through me.

Eden’s smile flickers, interpreting his shock as distaste. “It’s probably for the best. Don’t want too much excitement in one day.”

I don’t like seeing her smile fade. “Just means we’ll have toget in touchagain while you’re both here,” I say, giving her a quick wink.

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