Page 75 of Sway's Peace
“We could do that,” Tanin said slowly, giving him a long look. “Are you sure?”
“Or,” Loyalty interjected. “You complete a different delivery, let Sway and me stay, then pick us up again when you return, andthendeliver me. No credz lost, Sway and Grace aren’t left undefended, and I don’t even mind paying for the extra days even if I’m not on the ship.”
“I’m not charging you for that,” Tanin frowned.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Grace said, smiling at Sway. “It will take a few days, maybe a tenday, for Tanin and the others to complete a delivery. That should be enough time for you to get the closure you might need. And Loyalty will be here to help ifyou need it. Then, we can leave with the others when they return, and you’ve done what you feel you need to.”
Grace could see clearly that Sway was uncomfortable being here. He still felt the need to stay, to at least talk with his father, but it was not a good need. It was like the pain of needing to reset a broken bone. It hurt, but it was a necessary pain.
He wouldn’t be able to stay. But he had to, at least for a while. And she would, honestly, be more comfortable if Loyalty stayed with them. Actually, she’d rather the crew stay, since they were the ones Sway depended on the most, but she imagined it would be harder for him to talk to his father if they remained here. He needed that kick in the pants a deadline would give him to make this happen. And it was clear that the other farasie weren’t comfortable with the crew. If they stepped back, they might feel more comfortable approaching Sway.
His father hadn’t recognized him, which was disappointing. But Swayhadbeen a kid back when they last knew each other. He would have changed a lot in that time.
It would have made things easier if Veesway had just known him immediately. But not doing so meant that Sway had to gather the nerve to actually admit who he was. And for that, he needed to gather the will to talk to him. If that’s what he still wanted. If he changed his mind, if he wanted this to not happen, she was willing to support that too.
Tanin stared at him for a long moment. Whatever he was thinking was completely concealed by his stoic face. However, whatever he was looking for, he must have found, because he nodded once.
“Very well,” Tanin said. “I’ll look for a job. A short one we can complete relatively nearby. Stars know we have a list of clientswaiting that’s a pain to deal with. I’m sure there’s something on it. I can give you, at the very least, a few days. Likely a full tenday, like Grace said.”
“That will be enough,” Sway said. “I’ll finish what I need before you return.”
“It’s a plan then. For now, enjoy yourselves tonight. And remember to stay out of trouble.”
“Aye, captain,” they all intoned.
Grace even added her voice to the mix. Just for the chance to be part of the team. And it felt kind of good to be counted among their number.
With that plan in place, and determined to enjoy the party, everyone separated. Going their own way. Even Loyalty, after giving her a grin, disappeared into the crowd. Which, admittedly, took a moment since the crowd parted at his approach. She frowned at the blatant show of prejudice and dislike for him just because of what he was, but she couldn’t exactly call it out here. Not when her voice would be alone, and not when she didn’t want to ruin Sway’s chance with his people.
Then, Sway pulled on her hand, turning her focus back onto him. He was giving her a warm, genuine smile. It was similar to the usual one he wore, but there was a depth of genuine tenderness in his eyes that made her heart race as he ran his hand down her back again, under her hair, directly on her skin.
“Will you dance with me?” He asked, indicating to the crowd that had formed in front of the dais and around the bonfire. There were lots of farasie dancing in pairs. She didn’t recognize the steps, but she didn’t rightfully care as she nodded eagerly.
As far as dates went, this was their best one so far. Their first date ended with her trauma dumping on him. Their second ended with him trauma dumping on her. She was fully prepared for something like that to happen again, especially since he was in such a new and emotional straining situation with everything going on.
But it was like he cut that part of what was going on completely out of his mind. He focused solely on her, not letting his attention wander even slightly. They danced until she was breathless. They snacked on farasie style treats – crystalized fruits and flowers that were absolutely delicious. They walked around and played games at the booths. They listened to the songs for a while, then she showed him how to slow dance human style.
He enjoyed that a lot. And so did she. Just the simple act of rocking along with the melody, their bodies pressed together, made her belly flip with nervous excitement.
She wanted this guy. Despite his past, or maybe even because of it. He had to have been so strong to survive everything he did. Then to come out of it on the other side and still be able to smile and dance with her? Yes, he was a very strong person indeed.
And maybe it was a little selfish of her, but she absolutely loved that he never once criticized her for anything. He accepted everything she did with a smile. He praised her. He complimented her. He didn’t complain even a little. That might not mean a lot to most people, but to Grace, who knew only the constant nagging and discouragement of her parents, it was wonderful. Freeing in a way. Liberating, if she was being honest.
It was like she could breathe around him. She could relax. Be herself. He didn’t judge her when she got fruit juice on her whitedress. He only smiled and wiped the drop off her chin before putting his finger in his mouth, tasting the berry and her at the same time. When she tripped, he didn’t tell her off for being clumsy. He caught her and brought her into his arms like he planned it. When she laughed too loud while they danced, he didn’t shush her or look around in embarrassment. His smile only deepened as he watched her with adoring eyes.
It was incredible to be accepted just like that. No condemnation or demand for change. It made it even easier to open up to him. To reach for him and let herself be held in return.
So much so that, later that night, when they returned to the inn, it was completely natural and right to fall into his arms as he kissed her outside her door. She threw herself into kissing him, like she was trying to fuse them together at the lips. And he clung on tight as he turned, pressing her back against the wall. Neither of them cared that they were making out, right there in public. Too into each other to care about anything else.
Grace and Goldie were, unfortunately, sharing a room at the inn. Like how Sway was sharing a room with Trove and Vytln. A cost saving measure since their bill at the inn could easily triple for them to all get their own rooms. But Grace was seriously considering just paying for a private room out of her own funds for the chance to pull Sway into it.
But that would require having to tear her mouth from his. Which, at that moment, as she ran her hands over him, loving the softness of his feathers, savoring the heat of his kiss and his surprisingly firm tongue, she absolutely did not want to do. Especially when, using the wall to keep her in place, he took hold of her leg and jerked it up, putting it against his hip. Opening her to him.
Allowing her to feel the hardness there, growing under the thin fabric of his skirt. Hot and firm and pressing urgently against the lace of her panties. It was such delicate cloth separating them, only two layers of it. And she was quickly becoming so wet, it was like it wasn’t even there.
Especially when he began grinding against her, humping her against the wall. Pantomiming sex as she moaned at the delicious pressure. She jumped up and he caught her, letting her legs both rest on his hips, her ankles locked around his back. Her hands gripped hard at his shoulders, pulling on his feathers, but he didn’t seem to care.
She didn’t know how long they were like that. Completely wrapped up in each other, dry fucking against the wall. But the sound of laughter coming down the hall finally broke them apart. She was panting, trembling with need, and hungry for more. The guests that were heading to their own room were a pair of farasie females, appeared intoxicated and equally focused on each other. They didn’t even register Sway and Grace or their position locked together as they stumbled past, even their drunken giggles somehow melodic.
