Page 73 of Whispers of the Void

“Of course, though the blasters do work on the surface.”

“Why don’t you use them, then?”

“Blades are more fun.”

Her brows rise once again, but she doesn’t say anything. I watch as she pulls her hair back, twisting it until it sits atop her head in a messy knot. She rarely wears it up like that, and I can’t help but take in the elegant line of her neck, the way I can see her pulse flutter beneath her silken skin.

My fangs ache, mate bond fluid dripping from their tips. I swallow and push the desire to mark her, to claim her, deep down inside. We’ll have this conversation when the time comes, but it isn’t now. She has enough worries on her plate, I don’t need to add anything to them.

Her violet eyes flash as she steps onto the mat with me. “Torre taught me how to fight with a blade. I might surprise you.”

Jealousy rears up inside me like an unruly beast. Her former lover comes from a matriarchal society of warriors. I’m sure she’s incredibly fast and strong, all of her kind are, but she’d be no match for me.

“Show me what you’ve got, then,” I challenge her.

Her form is better than I was expecting. She doesn’t manage to strike me, but I don’t have to go easier on her than I would anyone else starting out with training. That alone makes my chest swell with pride. My mate is strong and resilient. She’s a fierce and intelligent fighter, a combination that would make her deadly if she possessed my strength.

I sweep her feet out from under her but catch her before she can hit the ground. Her eyes narrow in annoyance. It’s so cute I have to battle the urge to press a kiss to her lips.

“I’m proud of you, Neev. You surprise me in the most wonderful ways.”

“I didn’t even hit you.”

“Not many can. It’s not a reflection of your power or skill.”

She mumbles a disagreement as she walks over to get a drink of water. “What’s next?” she asks after taking a gulp.

“We’re done here for the day. You can go soak in the tub, it’ll help with any sore muscles.”

“What about you? What are you going to do?”

“I need to take a few meetings.” I put the blades away. “I’ll find you for dinner.”

* * *

Meeting after meeting dragged on after leaving Neev in the training center this morning. Being on board the ship has meant I’m back on regular Commander duty. It’s beneficial to be aware of everything going on throughout the system but late today an order from the Sovereign came through informing us of the next Bak’hura happening at the start of the next lunar cycle. We’re all to attend, including Neev, who the Sovereign is now aware of.

I didn’t get the impression that he knows who she is or why I brought her here. But the last place I want to take her is to the capitol. I certainly don’t want her witnessing the barbaric blood rite and rituals that surround it.

My hope is that we’ll find something in the temple to at least convince him to pause the rite, if not end them all together. Or find enough evidence to pull some of the power away from the Sovereign until the rebellion is more organized. We’ll have less than a week once we’re back on the surface to get to the temple and back.

Those worries and plans evaporate as soon as I walk into my quarters and find Neev sitting on the couch with a tablet in her hand and books beside her. She looks up, and as soon as our eyes meet, my chest begins to thrum. A smile crosses her face as she sets aside the tablet and pushes to her feet.

“Someone’s happy to see me.” She crosses the distance between us and wraps her arms around me. The tension in her body melts away as the thrum soothes her. “I don’t know what it is about this, but it just eases any stress or worry.”

“That’s the point of the thrumming. To provide comfort.”

“Do you control it?”

“No. It’s as natural as breathing. My body senses yours and shows its—” I almost say love but fear it's too soon. “Peace at being in your presence.”

She reaches up and cups my jaw, pulling my face down to hers. “You bring me peace, too.”

Her soft lips press against mine, and my thrumming intensifies. The soft curves of her body press against the hard planes of my own as my fingers glide through her silky hair, angling her head to deepen the kiss. I’ve never known another female to have this profound of an impact on me. One glance, one touch, one kiss, and I want to drag her off into the bedroom and ravish her.

I want to imprint my soul onto hers until we’re no longer separate entities.

I reach down and lift her by the back of her thighs until her legs lock around my waist. I should stop and talk to her about the change in plans, fill her in on my meetings, but the scent of her arousal hits me and logic flies out the window.

---