Page 42 of LeX

“Scaredand optimistic at the same time.Mymind has somehow merged our lives, so some things are still fuzzy.Thisis the first timeIcan recall having no idea what to do next.”

“Youhave options, andIwill not interfere if you decide you do not want to remain with me or on this ship.Butknow if you leave me,Iwill find a way to follow you.Ifit takes me until my very last rotation,Iwill prove my love for you.Ipromise to always be honest and forthright from now on and never make another decision without discussing it with you first.

Inthe meeting,Fatherrequested that the original crew remain on the ship when it departs once again, butIwon’t go without you.Ifyou decide this is not something you want to do, that is fine.Iwill make other arrangements until we find a place you are happy.”

“LeX,Ihave no idea whatIwant or what my future holds, so right now,I’msimply following your lead.Ihave always loved the stars and now’s my chance to see them from the other side.”

“Nomatter how long it takesRylieIwill win your trust and love,Ivow it.”

“IbelieveI’ma half in love with you alreadyLeX.Youforget,Iwas in your head too, and every time you came to me whileIwas in that world, we merged even more.Iknow you, the real you and not the confident doctor you try to show everyone else.Yourheart and oath to care for others is in direct conflict with the training that was forced upon you as a child, simply because of who your father was.Isaw how you fearedViNandEvOwould turn away from you when you announced wanting to walk another path in life.Ialso saw the bright smile on your face when you saw your father and all your brothers standing in the back of the room at your graduation from med school.Youwork harder than most because you feel like you have to prove that your skills are needed as much as their weapons.

WhatIthink you’re missing is how much they call on you for advice and help when they’re at their weakest.Menof your brothers’ caliber wouldn’t allow just anyone to treat or care for them when at their worst.Youare a good manLeX, andI’mproud to be marked as yours.Thisis new to both of us, and we’re going to fumble around for a while, but that’s ok.Ireckon the next question is … what’s next?”

LeXhas rearranged the blanket so that he can rub the top of my bare legs. “Whatis next?Whatnow?WhathaveImissed? …Thosewords have flowed through my thoughts so oftenIthinkIshould make them into a poem or song.Thereal question is, what would you like to do?Ofcourse,Iam not talking about thislate in the rising, but we are free to go and see whatever we want for several coming up.”

“Ihave no clue, but damn,I’malive andI’vestepped into another world.Ifthis is a dream, it’s a good one!EventhoughIhave no money and no way of making any right now, what’s cheap to do around here?”

“Areyou telling me you are worried about credits?”

“Ifthat’s money, then yeah.”

“Yousee that mark on your arm?”

“Yeah,Iwas going to ask you about that.”

“It’stheHouseofDaRmark.”

“And?”

“Itnot only shows others that you are a member and protected by the most powerful family in this solar system, but you never have to worry about credits again.”

Leaningin closerIask, “Sowhat you’re saying is there are perks to being your girl?”

Hishands find my naked waist, holding me still becauseIhadn’t realizedIwas still squirming all over his lap. “Doyou have any idea how hard it is to concentrate with you straddling me like this?Thesmell of your arousal, the feel of you under my hands, my mind knowing only a thin covering is separating me from tasting you, is pure torture.Butleading back to that statement, only members of the immediate family are granted this mark, with the added benefit of showing the world that you are my mate.Thatsomewhere, theLordofLightdecidedIwas worthy of a female of my own.Youwill never worry about a roof overyour head or sustenance in your belly.Itis an honor to take care of you.”

“Wow, that’s a lot to take in and you’re right, it’s late so no exploring this evening, but you still promised to do something.”

“Idid?”

“Yep, ifIrecall correctly, you said you would read to me.”

“Asmuch as it pains me to say this, you will have to get dressed if you want me to do that because my willpower only goes so far.Iwill run down to the med bay and grab the holo pad, then be right back.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

LEX

Ihave not been gonea tic whenIcome back to find my rooms in shambles.Maintenanceand cargo bots are swarming in and out of my door, carrying multiple items each way.Thesound of laughter has me sliding past a particularly large box only to findSAGEandRylietalking animatedly.

“MedicLeX, we will be done here shortly.Whatdo you think of the changes so far?”

Lookingaround,Ido not even recognize the place. “Howdid you do this so quickly,SAGE?”

“Rotationsof practice, to be honest, and a huge file on decorating doesn’t hurt either.MistressRyliegave me permission and free rein to make the changes, andIthink it will turn out quite beautifully when the bots get finished.”

Rylieis walking around with a small smile on her face as her fingers trace each new piece.

My… our rooms have now been separated into comfortable sitting and eating areas.Theone chairIhave used for rotations is now gone, replaced by a huge lounger covered in multiplecolored pillows, and thin throws.Thesleeping platform has been moved to another wall that faces the outer viewers ofDestiny’shull, so that you feel like you are sleeping under the stars.

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