Page 32 of Keeping Freya
“What happened?”
“There is a light blinking. I didn’t know what to do, but I’m scared. Can you please come check it out?”
The bond pulses, my mate is in need, and came to me. I rise and grab her hands. “Show me.”
Her anxiety sours the air as I walk with her to thecommand center. My tail automatically slides across her waist, and she sighs contentedly at the touch. Deciding not to say anything about it, I focus on the problem.
There is indeed a light blinking at the console. Grinning, I turn around. “I adjusted the ship’s scanners and shields. This light is new; it means the shields are working.”
Fr’Ya’s pale cheeks turn red. “So, there’s nothing wrong?”
“No.”
She groans. “Sorry, I woke you for nothing.”
Gently, I pull her close, paying attention to how she reacts. When she melts into my hold, I continue and cup her cheek. “If you need me, you call for me and I will be there. No matter how small or how big, I will always be there for you.”
A tear runs down her cheek, and she smiles. “For someone who says he’s not good with words, you sure say all the right things.”
I shrug. “Must have been spending too much time with O’Rec, then.”
She laughs before she rests her head against my chest. “Thank you,” she murmurs.
I do not dare to move, I just hold her, reveling in the feelingof her body close to me. When she gets restless, I reluctantly step away. She has composed herself and gives me an expectant look. “So, what now?”
“We are in the middle of a sleep cycle. Sleep first, talking tomorrow morning.”
She sighs and stifles a yawn. “You go back, I will take watch.”
I give her a stern look. “You need sleep.”
“So do you,” she says.
“We could both sleep, the ship’s alarm is connected to my wrist com.”
“Are you sure?”
I see the way she tries to order her thoughts, but I am tired and I have had enough. “Yes.”
I tug her towards my room. We don’t speak as I take her with me to my bed. She should be protesting by now, but she just yawns and I lie down and open my arms. “Sleep.”
And then she does the unthinkable, she lies down and falls asleep in my arms.
Freya
I wake up from a deep,deep sleep. It takes me a minute to catch my surroundings. I don’t think I’ve slept this well since waking up in space for the first time. I feel relaxed, comforted by the feel of a heavy, soft blanket.
That feeling only lasts for a hot minute, though, because I suddenly realize it’s not a blanket that’s basking me in warmth; it’s T’Rak’s arms! I remember being too tired to protest yesterday, and I fell asleep with them wrapped around me.
“Good morning,” he murmurs into my hair, pulling me against him. I try to relax against him, but I still feel tense. Things have been changing between us, and we’re on a fast track to a physical relationship. He makes me feel things I haven’t felt in the longest time. Things Ithought I wasn’t able to feel ever again. But still, shouldn’t I feel less at ease with him? Rationally, I know that this is my journey, and if I feel good with him, it’s my choice to explore those feelings. He makes me feel safe and secure. Feelings I thought I’d never experience again.
I wonder if I’m just doubting for the sake of doubting, but I keep feeling this slight unrest within me, like that feeling that you know you forgot something, but you can’t figure out what.
“Good morning, I uhm… I need to get up...” Deciding that fleeing is my best option for now, I untangle myself from T’Rak.
He lets go immediately and sits up. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I just need the bathroom.” Quickly, I do my business, but I feel very awkward when I return to the bedroom. T’Rak’s still sitting in the bed, with his gorgeous chest on display.
