Page 6 of Soros
She shook her head. “No. I’m used to the children waking me up and it’s nice to feel that I’m not alone.”
I was just about to tell her that I would be happy to swap with her every night. But if I moved out of Nerix’s cabin and Star moved in, Soros would understand that Nerix and I weren’t together.
“We’ll figure something out, Star. Don’t worry,” I assured her. “We half-humans have to stick together.”
Squeezing my hand, Star looked deep into my eyes. “I’m so grateful that you’re being sweet to me, and I want you to know that I don’t agree with Nerix at all.”
My jaw tightened a little. “What did he say to you?”
“That you’re the most annoying and difficult person in the world.”
With one eyebrow cocked upward, I responded, “Nerix is an ass half the time, and you shouldn’t listen to anything he says. Especially when it’s about me.”
Star made a grimace. “Don’t get angry with him. I think he’s moody because of the pain from his wounds. He’s been a bit bossy with me too.”
Getting up from the floor, I reached down my hand to pull her up. “Promise me that you won’t take any shit from Nerix or anyone else.”
“He hasn’t been half as bad as my brothers. They could be quite…” She trailed off and looked down. I waited for her to continue and when she did, her voice was sad. “They could be quite unpleasant and harsh.”
“I’m sorry, Star. Do you mean verbally or physically?”
“Mostly verbally. My oldest brother told me plenty of times that I was a burden to all of them. That I was useless, naïve, and an embarrassment. That’s why they kept me away from everyone.”
“No, Star, I don’t believe that. Your family knew that Malbreean men would come for you because of your beauty, and they were probably scared that you would become independent of their control.”
“My beauty?” Star gave another sad smile. “If only that was the issue, but someone like me is too fragile to be considered beautiful. I’m petite and physically inferior, which is unattractive to Malbreeans.”
I scoffed. “May I remind you that your father bought your mother, a human female who was most likely much smaller than you. Clearly, he was attracted to her physically. The rest is just bullshit that your family fed you to keep you in that high tower so they could control you.”
Walking out of her room, I looked at her. “On Earth you’ll be considered a tall woman. I’m five foot eleven and my guess is that you’re about an inch shorter than me. We’re both above the average human woman in height. I guarantee that if you want male attention, you’ll get plenty on Earth.”
We had just stepped outside Star’s room when Captain Lios came walking with Soros and stopped to talk to us. “Is everything alright?”
I felt Soros look at me and just the brief eye contact between us had my belly doing a flip.
It would be impossible for them to miss Star’s red-rimmed eyes and so I went with the truth. “It’s just a hard time.”
Both men gave Star a sympathetic glance and Soros dipped his chin to her, “Anything we can do to help you get through this, please let us know.”
Lios supported Soros’ statement. “Yes, truly. We understand how lost and lonely you feel and as I’ve already said, we’re here for you.”
The door to the right opened and Nerix came out from his room. Rubbing his eyes, he yawned and then he pushed a hand through his hair. “What’s the hall meeting about and why wasn’t I invited?”
“We’re just expressing our empathy with Star.”
“Why? She didn’t get shot.”
“No, but she lost her home and entire family, you obtuse turd,” I said with impatience. As soon as I said it, I regretted my harsh words. Soros watched us and if I wanted him to think that Nerix and I were happily in love, I couldn’t engage in arguments with Nerix the way I had before Soros boarded theGreat Defender.
“Right.” Nerix scratched his neck. “Yeah, that sucks.”
With her shoulders hunched forward, Star fidgeted with the ring on her finger. “As I just told Tania, the nights are the worst. I don’t like sleeping alone.”
Captain Lios was quick to offer a solution. “In that case, let me ask the crew if anyone would like to co-sleep with you. If no one volunteers, I’ll do it myself. It won’t be the same as sleeping with the children, but if it helps, we can certainly accommodate you in that area.”
“I’ll do it.” Soros’s words cut into my skull as I stared at him.
His eyes were on Star as he continued, “I know Elan would love his cabin back, so if you want to share yours, I’m happy to move my things.”
