Page 72 of Taming Chaos

“Intentional? Why the hell would anyone disable their gravitrons?”

In the unlikely event that a spacecraft might be boarded by hostiles, one might remove gravity to slow down and disorganize an oncoming attack. That was Torin’s logic, but he didn’t share it with Seph, because she was already scared, and he didn’t want her to panic.

He handed Seph her clothes. “Get dressed,” he said gently, clutching her around her waist.

Seph took the garments, but made no move to put them on.

“What’s wrong?”

“Torin, I don’t do well with heights.” She stared balefully at the floor.

“But there’s no gravity, and I’ve got you.”

“It’s a phobia, Torin. Fear isn’t always rational. Sometimes my brain plays stupid tricks on me.” Making an effort, she took her pants and tried to put them on, but when she glanced down at the distant floor, her breathing became rapid and shallow. Her mouth narrowed into a grim line of determination, as if she were locked in a strenuous battle of wills.

Fighting her fear.

Witnessing his mate’s distress, Torin thought hard and fast.

Ah. She’d alluded to this before. Although the concept was utterly foreign to Torin, he could see how a human of soft flesh and breakable bones might dread the drop.

How can I get her to calm down? She had to get dressed. They might need to evacuate quickly.

“Close your eyes,” he murmured, his thoughts racing as he tried to figure out how to best comfort her. What can take her away from all this? “Pretend you’re lying in bed with me. We are on Earth, in your house, and the warm sun is shining through the windows.” Of course, that could never happen, because the infernal ultraviolet would burn Torin’s skin to a crisp, but so what? He was constructing this fantasy especially for her, so he would imagine whatever he liked. “You are in my arms, Persephone, and nothing can touch you. Soon we will rise and take a long warm shower together, and I will take great pleasure and care in washing your beautiful body. Then we will dress and eat, and I will feed you whatever you desire.” That was also fanciful, because Torin knew nothing about human food, but for her, he could learn.

Only for her.

“Eggs Benedict and strong espresso,” she whispered, closing her eyes. “Creamy hollandaise with a sprinkling of cayenne pepper. Cold, fresh passionfruit, the kind that’s yellow on the outside and sweet on the inside. That’s my dream breakfast.”

“Good.” He kissed her on the cheek and helped her pull on her trousers. “Let’s hurry now, my love.”

Seph opened her eyes and turned to him. Torin lost himself in clear crystalline depths. Earth. He saw her yearning for the blue and green planet, saw fear and courage, saw her trust in him…

And was humbled like never before.

“I will take you there,” he rumbled, his voice growing hoarse. “For real. It is my promise.” As they bumped against the ceiling, he executed a small kick that sent them drifting toward the floor.

“That was amazing, Torin.” Seph seemed to draw energy from his actions, his words, or something. “Thank you.” For a brief moment, her bare feet brushed the floor. She shimmied her hips, tugging on the stretchy pants. The bra was next, then the boot. With small kicks, Torin propelled them around the room, gathering pieces of Seph’s clothing until she was fully dressed, utility belt and all. Cushions, sheets, and small pieces of furniture drifted around them, turning the room into a surreal floating wonderland. Seph’s unbound hair waved around her face like some sort of submerged bloom, lending her an ethereal quality.

He took his plasma gun—now retrieved—from its holster and secured it in one of the pouches at her waist. “Just in case,” he said softly. “If you fire it in zero-grav, it’s going to send you flying, so be careful.”

“Newton’s first law,” she said dryly, and he had no idea what she was talking about. “You’re expecting trouble.”

“Always.” It was too quiet. Ominously so. As unease flickered across her face, he relented. “Even if it never comes, I always expect it.”

For some reason, he wasn’t getting that subtle motion sense anymore. It felt as if the big ship had lost momentum and was just drifting aimlessly through space.

I think we’ve been attacked and boarded. If he had to guess, that would be his primary suspicion. Pirates were a target for other pirates, and they were nearing Bartharra’s orbit. A source of perpetual chaos, that planet was a haven for death-dealers, marauders, and pirates.

What to do?

The answer came easy.

Stay with her. Never leave her. Fight until the last cursed breath.

The air shifted ever so slightly.

Torin sensed a minute change in the room’s pressure, and then…

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