Page 33 of Rescuing Mara

“How many,” I demand.

“We saved six people and sent them here. Then we blew up that fucking compound.”

“Good.” I am happy that hellhole no longer exists. I turn my attention back to Lisa. “I’m glad you are okay.”

She smiles wide. “Me too.”

We stay and chat with Lisa for a while, then we walk around and talk to the other people in Sanctuary. The majority of them have been saved by the Arracate in some way.

The day flies by, and Queen Rhana excuses herself after lunch, leaving O’Rec and me to explore the shores of the capital. This side of the shore is made up of cliffs, and we spent the rest of the afternoon exploring them. We encounter wildlife and lots of birds; I marvel at the new experience.

The rocky shores turn into a wide sandy beach, filled with people lounging on the beach or swimming in the lake. We take off our boots, carry them in one hand, and hold on to each other with the other as we walk across the beach. The grains of sand tickle my feet. When we walk close to the water, my feet sink into the mud, and the water washes away the grains. I let the sensations wash over me, reveling in the new experience.

“My father was the best King our world could have ever dreamed of,” O’Rec suddenly says. I look up at him, but he’s gazing somewhere in the distance, his mind far away, and I squeeze his hand. Hoping he'll continue.

“I was always destined to succeed him, but we were all trained equally. I had four brothers, but as the eldest, the crown was always supposed to be mine. I just never thought I would be alone when the time came.” We keep on walking, but his shoulders slump. “They call me the Lost Prince of Arracate, and the name suits me because that’s how I feel most of the time: lost. My father was such a great example, a fair king, and his brothers kept him in balance. They stood beside him, giving him their power and their strength. I always envisioned it to be like that. To have my brothers as my advisors. Not all simultaneously because they would have crews of their own. But they would be the elite crew I would send out on the most important and dangerous missions. Knowing they would always come home. Always succeed. Instead, I am alone. My parents are not there to support me in the background, and my brothers are not there to stand beside me. And I am lost without them.”

I squeeze his hand, not knowing how to comfort him. His grief is there, right under the surface. My heart aches for him, but I don’t have the words. So, I just give him my touch, my presence. His tail slides around my waist as I gently kiss his arm. He gives me a weak smile before he stares in the distance again.

“They want me to be king. To take control and lead our people. I was not ready when our planet fell, and they waited for me, but I felt their patience run out. M’Ran is my most trusted advisor. He survived the destruction and together with a handful of elders they have ruled while I have been out in space. But every time we come home, they have more and more reasons for me to stay. But how can I, Marra? How can I lead them when I am so fucking lost, I cannot even see my own path?”

My heart breaks for him, and I tug on his tail to make him stop. I pull his head down, and when our foreheads touch, I cup his cheeks, my boots landing in the sand with a thud.

“You are the best man I have ever met, O’Rec. You are kind, you are fair, and you are a savior. You tell me you want to be something to me? Well, let me tell you, you are more than something to me. You are not alone because I will be there with you, O’Rec. Your crew will be with you. They may not be your brothers by blood, but anyone can see they are your brothers by heart.” I gently kiss his lips before I continue.

“You are my warrior, my savior, my present, and I know you are my future.”

“Marra,” he rasps, pulling me into his arms and crushing me. His big body shakes, and I hold him tight as his sorrow pours out of him—wave after wave of crushing sorrow. I hold him through it all until he stills and calm settles down upon us.

In the end, it’s me who breaks our embrace, taking his hand and pulling him softly with me along the beach towards the bridge that will take us back to Queen Rahna’s palace. Neither of us utters a word and silently sneak upstairs to our room. I hold him when we lie down, and I don’t let go until I feel his body relax and hear his breath even out to tell me he fell asleep.

CHAPTER21

Mara

We prepare to leave the planet the following day. Lauren chatters away about everything she’s seen, and I am grateful for the distraction she brings. O’Rec tries to be his usual charming self, but I can see he has trouble keeping up the facade. Our talk still seems to weigh heavy on his mind, but there is nothing I can do right now.

After breakfast, we say our goodbyes to Queen Rahna when one of her servants guides us towards the ship. This time, O’Rec clings to me, and I think about the words Queen Rahna told me when we met.‘He needs you as much as you need him.’My mind feels free. Free of the chains that tethered me to Ananta. Free to bond with O’Rec. I smile at that thought, I will tell him tonight.

Lauren and I sit on the couch that spans the entire wall of the command center as the males prepare the ship for takeoff. O’Rec is twitchy; I see it in his movements and tail swishes. Neither of us speaks, but the men must have another silent conversation because a course is plotted. D’Var gets up and lifts Lauren off the couch as soon as we arrive in space. She squeals with joy and lets him take her to, I presume, their room.

O’Rec remains seated, completely focused on his task, and I feel a bit lost. Lauren has her garden and cooking, the men have tasks, but I have… nothing.

Hesitantly, I walk towards O’Rec but stop myself before I reach him. I don’t want to be a bother…

Just as I want to turn around, I feel his tail latching onto my waist, and he pulls me into his lap.

“Where do you think you are going, my mate?” I snuggle into his embrace, tucking my head under his chin.

“I don’t know. I feel a bit useless and have nothing to do.”

“Hmm, I can understand that.” His eyes move from me to T’Rak and back.

“Captain, are you good to proceed alone?”

He lets out an indignant huff. “Go, be with your mate. I will take care of the ship.”

O’Rec grins and then puts me back on the ground before he guides me to his room.

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