Page 33 of Keeping Freya
I open my mouth to make some lame excuse, but he opens his arms. “Come here, lie with me so we can talk.”
My feet have a mind of their own, because even though I know it would be better just to sit down—literally anywhere, I still move towards him. He props up some pillows behind his big body, and I lie down against him. Also, against better judgment.
“You feel good in my arms,” he mutters. So soft, it’s barely audible. That little declaration shuts me up and makes me melt into him. My chest feels too tight, and I look up, staring at his mesmerizing eyes.
Reaching up, I touch his cheek, and my curiosity takes over.
“How did you get this?” I gently caress his scar.
“I was still young when I got this, an eager warrior, desperate to prove himself to his father and captain.”
“Your father was your captain?” I interrupt him as my fingers follow the lines of the thick white skin.
“My father was the greatest captain our fleet had ever known. He was the leader of the king’s special task force and the most formidable warrior our planet had ever seen. I looked up to him and wanted to be just like him as a young boy. I completed my training swiftly and as the best of my year, one of the other great captains immediately asked me to join their crew. We flew for about a year when we were called out to settle a dispute between two rival clans on a desert planet.”
He pauses for a bit, looking uncomfortable at the next part.
“We were not prepared for the planet's harsh environment, and I was not prepared for how far a desperate person is willing to go. The people were fighting for water and survival, and their battle was brutal. We got caught between a clan war where the winners would survive and the losers would die out. They did not even notice we were there to help when we tried to break them apart. Ultimately, we did, but I got caught in the crossfire. There were certain factions that did not want peace or coexistence. They wanted it all and they wanted to take it.”
He shrugs like it’s no big deal, but I glare because this sounds horrible.
He sighs. “I was trying to be heroic; the need to prove myself was greater than my desire to follow orders. We were attacked, and the male got one lucky strike in. That lucky strike almost killed me, so now you know why I'm so hard on you in training.”
I’m silent for a minute. “Well, that was not the crazy story I thought it would be.”
He laughs out loud. “If you want crazy, I should tell you stories about O’Rec and D’Var and their antics.”
I grin, liking this simple camaraderie between us. “They sound like good friends.”
“The best,” he agrees. “Although the bond between a crew goes deeper than friends.”
“Like family?”
“Yes.” His voice is soft, and his eyes get a faraway look. “The High Commander killed my brother.”
“The one we are chasing?”
He nods. “That is why I need to get to him.”
I caress his cheek. “I understand. Sorry, I made it harder for you.”
He grabs my hand and kisses my palm. “Every second spent with you is worth it.”
CHAPTER 20
Freya
My shoulders drop. “I can’t be your mate, T’Rak.”
“You are, and there is nothing we can do to change that. I know you are returning to Earth and I will do everything possible to help you get there. I promised you that and I will keep my promise.”
I give him a watery smile, but the mood has changed, and we both get out of bed. T’Rak makes his way to command while I’m going to freshen up in my room.
We meet again at Command. T’Rak has settled at the table in the back, and two mugs of tea and two portions of breakfast are ready for us.
“Come. Sit.” I arch an eyebrow at the command, my prickly side rearing its head, but at the same time, my stomach growls, so I take a seat across from him.
“What’s next? Where are we in our journey, and what will we do once we arrive at Tekrov?”
