Chapter 11
11
E ira stared at her reflection and wondered when she'd forgotten how to breathe. The one-shouldered dress hugged curves she'd ignored for years, its deep blue fabric hugging her in a way she'd forgotten clothes could after wearing a jumpsuit for so long. She smoothed imaginary wrinkles from the skirt, her hands shaking a little. This was ridiculous. She'd faced down mining accidents, deadly dust storms, and asshole colony administrators. A date shouldn't terrify her.
But it did.
Last night had been different. The children's presence had given her something to focus on besides the way Maax's voice made her feel weak in the knees. Now it would be just the two of them. No buffer of excited chatter about fish and ribbons. No distraction from the heat in his golden eyes or the memory of his kiss.
She touched her lips, remembering. The simple contact had haunted her dreams all night.
"Mom?" Leo's voice made her jump. "Can I ask you something?"
She turned to find her eldest hovering in the doorway. "Of course, sweetheart. What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He shifted his weight, reminding her of when he was smaller and trying to work up the courage to confess to breaking something. "I just... would it be okay if someone came over? While you're out?"
The question caught her off guard. They'd only been on the station for two days. When had he had time to make friends? "Someone?"
Color crept up his neck. "Her name's Sheena. She's Tavkronian. I met her in the nursery when we first arrived." The words tumbled out in a rush. "She was there with her cousin, but he wouldn't leave because he wanted to play, and we got talking about engineering courses, and she's, like, really smart, and?—"
"Breathe, sweetheart." Eira hid her smile. The silver-haired girl who'd caught Leo's attention that first day… she should have known. "Tell me about her?"
Leo's shoulders relaxed a little. "She's already completed advanced engineering, even though her family wanted her focused on contracts and legal work like them. She wants to work on ships, but..." He trailed off, then shrugged, "She doesn't think they'll let her. She said she could help me catch up on the course material I missed because of work though..."
Eira's heart squeezed as she stood, walking toward him. How long had it been since she'd seen that spark in him? The colony had worn him down so young, forcing him to be an adult when he should have been learning and dreaming.
"Of course she can come over." She touched his arm. All she wanted to do was pull him into her arms like when he'd been a little boy, but he was almost a man now, and he had his pride. "I'm glad you're making friends."
"You are?" Hope and disbelief warred in his expression. "You don't mind that she's... you know... alien?"
"Sweetheart, I'm going on a date with a seven-foot-tall warrior who can probably bend metal in his bare hands." She grinned as Leo's ears turned pink. "I think we're past worrying about that."
The door chime made them both jump. Leo's eyes widened. “They’re here already! And I haven't asked Kyle?—"
She smoothed her hair one last time. "Kyle adores you. Whatever you ask, he'll be fine."
Emily's excited voice carried through the door, followed by the deeper rumble of Maax's greeting. Eira's heart did a complicated flip in her chest. She forced herself to breathe as she headed for the living room, Leo on her heels.
The door slid open to reveal Maax standing in the middle of the room. Her breath caught all over again. He wore formal leather armor, the rich material decorated with intricate patterns that marked his rank, clinging to muscle in ways that made her mouth go dry. More braids than usual wove through his dark hair, each bead catching the light as he moved. Who did he get to do his hair? Her fingers itched at the thought of running through those dark strands.
"Grace!" Emily pushed past her father, Red Dragon clutched tight. "I brought my new ribbons!"
Grace appeared from behind Eira. "Come see! I sorted all mine by color!"
The girls vanished down the hallway, their chatter fading as they headed into Grace's room. Maax's golden eyes found Eira's, heating as they swept down her from head to foot. The intensity of his gaze made her skin tingle.
"You look beautiful," he rumbled, the words sending a shiver down her spine.
"So do you." The words escaped before she could stop them. Heat blazed in her cheeks. "I mean... you look nice. Different. But different's good!" she said quickly. " Good different."
His lips quirked at the corners, the look in his eye saying that he knew exactly what effect he had on her. "I hope you don't mind… I asked the kitchens to prepare something special."
"Speaking of food," Eira seized on the chance to focus on practical matters before she embarrassed herself even more, "Leo, there are protein packs in the cooling unit. And the emergency contact protocols are-"
" Mom . I've been doing this since I was twelve." Leo shook his head in exasperation. "I know where everything is. I know all the emergency protocols."
"But Kyle's medication?—"
"Is scheduled for 2100 hours, after he does ten minutes of breathing exercises." Leo ticked points off on his fingers. "Grace needs to be in bed by eight thirty or she gets cranky. No sugar after 7 PM. The station's emergency services are on speed dial. I tried to add the Earth President and the Latharian Emperor too, but their offices haven't gotten back to me yet. Did I miss anything?"
"Smartass," Eira didn't manage to control her smile as she reached out and ruffled his hair, making him squeak and duck away.
"Try Duke Karrigan next time," Maax advised in a deep rumble. "He's the warrior responsible for human affairs on the station. He can't not take your call."
"Maax!" she hissed at him as Leo grinned. "Not. Helping!"
Kyle chose that moment to emerge from his room. "Are you doing the list thing again, Mom?" He grinned up at her. "Leo's got it. He always does."
"I know, I know." She crouched to hug him, tugging him close and breathing in the familiar scent of his hair. "Be good for your brother?"
"'Course." Kyle squirmed free and looked up at the huge alien warrior in the middle of the living room. "Will you tell us more stories tomorrow? About the shapeshifters?"
"If your mother agrees." Maax's expression softened the way it always did around children.
She nodded. "Though perhaps with fewer gory details next time."
"Aww." Kyle's disappointment lasted about two seconds before Emily called from Grace's room about a ribbon-related crisis. He raced off to investigate, leaving Eira still trying to think of more instructions.
"Mom." Leo's voice gentled. "We'll be fine. I promise not to burn down the station while you're gone."
"But—"
"Nope." He started herding her toward the door. "Go. Have fun. Be an adult. Do whatever adults do on dates."
"Leo!" she hissed as her cheeks heated.
"What?" He blinked at her innocently, but that didn't fool her for a second. "I just meant dinner and talking. What did you think I meant?"
Maax's quiet laugh rumbled through the space between them. "Your son has a point, Lady Coleman. We will be in public."
Leo's grin widened. "See? Even the warrior agrees. Now go, before you think of more instructions!"
"But—"
"Going!" Leo practically pushed them through the door. "Have fun! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
The door slid shut on his laughing face, leaving them alone in the corridor. Her cheeks burned as she realized how the last few minutes must have looked to him.
"I'm sorry," she started. "I don't usually?—"
"Don't apologize." His massive hand found hers, wrapping around it. "It's good to see them settling in. All of them."
The simple contact of his palm against hers sent electricity skating under her skin. She looked up to find his golden eyes warm and dark as he looked at her.
"They are settling, aren't they?" She squeezed his hand. "I wasn't sure... everything happened so fast. But Leo's making friends, and Kyle's treatment is working, and Grace..."
"Is plotting ribbon-based warfare with my daughter?" His thumb traced patterns on her palm that made it hard to think straight. "Yes, I do believe that counts as settling."
She laughed, some of her nervousness easing. "I suppose it does."
"Come." He tugged on their joined hands. "I have something to show you."
Eira let him guide her away from the residential section, his massive frame somehow making her feel protected rather than overwhelmed. Her heart still raced, but now with anticipation rather than anxiety.
Her children were safe. Happy. And she was walking through the station's gleaming corridors hand-in-hand with a warrior who looked at her like she was made of starlight.
Maybe Leo was right. Maybe it was time to have fun and see where this night might lead...
Maax kept his stride measured as they walked through the station corridors, hyper-aware of Eira's smaller form beside him. Her hand rested in the crook of his arm, delicate fingers against the arm of his jacket, but he felt her touch. It burned through the leather to send electricity through every cell of his body. Her soft scent—something floral and exotic—wound around him, holding him captive even as it made his head spin.
He'd arranged for them to have dinner in one of the secluded alcoves at the station's most exclusive restaurant. The curved booth offered privacy while still offering a view of the planet below them. It was night on the side of Earth facing them at the moment, and the lights from the cities below twinkled like diamonds on midnight velvet. He murmured his thanks to the head waiter as he guided Eira to their table. The low, intimate lighting caught in her hair, and he had to steel himself against the temptation to run his hands through her dark waves. To bury his hand in the soft curls at the nape of her neck and hold her still as he ravaged her lips...
He smiled back, trying to make the expression less tight, when she smiled up at him. If she only knew the thoughts that were running rampant through his mind right now... the way he wanted to tear that soft fabric from her curvy body and?—
Behave. He shoved the thoughts down. This war, for her heart, would not be won in one battle, or date, alone. He had to play the long campaign here. Show her that he was the perfect mate for her. That he could provide for her, love her, and her children.
"This is incredible," she said in a soft murmur, looking around with wonder. "I've never seen anything like it."
He nodded, his warrior instincts cataloging everything about her... From the way her dress clung to the curves she normally concealed under practical clothing, to the grace in her movements as she slid into the booth.
He settled beside her, closer than strictly necessary, but he didn't care. He wanted to be close. He needed to be close. "I wanted somewhere special for our date. For you."
The first course arrived... delicate crystal glasses of wine the color of sunset, accompanied by carefully arranged delicacies. Her eyes widened, and he leaned forward slightly, fascinated by the pleasure washing over her face. Her expressions were so open and honest; he couldn't wait to see what she looked like when she came...
"The chef specializes in combining Earth and Latharian cuisine," he explained, watching as she sampled a bite. "I had them prepare some dishes specially for us."
"Oh?" Her smile made his heart stutter. "Such as?"
He gestured to the course laid out in front of them. "I noticed how you looked at the fresh vegetables in your quarters. The hydroponics labs here grow Earth varieties, but we've adapted some colony crops as well."
She looked up at him through her lashes. "You noticed that?"
"I notice everything about you." The words escaped before he could moderate them, too rough with need. He watched her cheeks flush and cursed himself. He was supposed to be courting her properly, not frightening her with his intensity.
But she didn't seem frightened. Instead, she shifted slightly closer until her thigh pressed against his. The simple contact sent fire racing through his blood.
They fell into easier conversation as they shared the meal. Over dessert, she told him about the hydroponics systems she'd built from salvage back on the colony, her eyes bright. Surprise and pleasure rolled through him as she detailed technical challenges that would have stumped lesser engineers and even some of his own engineering team. He found himself leaning closer, captivated by her mind as much as her beauty.
His hand moved to his pocket, where a small box had been burning against his chest all evening. Now was the perfect moment, but his heart still thundered as he withdrew it.
"I have something for you." He placed the box on the table between them. "A gift, if you'll accept it."
She opened it carefully, and her soft gasp made his chest tight. The bracelet caught the light. Delicate strands of silver twisted together around each other like vines, each leaf detailed. Tiny gems, the same shade as her eyes, nestled among the metalwork.
"It's beautiful," she breathed, lifting it from the box. "The pattern... it reminds me of S'aad's mating marks."
"Yes." He nodded. "Recently, warriors have begun giving tokens to potential mates. To show our intentions."
"A little like engagement rings?"
When he tilted his head questioningly, she explained. "In human culture, when someone proposes marriage, they give their partner a ring. It's worn on this finger." She waggled the ring finger on her left hand. "The circular shape represents eternity, and wearing it shows you're promised to each other. Then, during the wedding ceremony, you exchange another ring."
He tilted his head. "It used to be that a Latharian male would give his mate a bonding collar, but after so long without females, some of the old ways have fallen out of favor. We're learning to blend old customs with new ways to honor our human names." He caught her hand, thumb brushing where such a ring would sit. "Will you wear my gift?"
"Yes, of course. I'd be honored."
She held out her wrist for him, biting her lip in a way that totally distracted him from his task. His fingers trembled slightly as he fastened the bracelet around her slender wrist. The metal looked like quicksilver against her skin, the gems catching the light each time she moved. He couldn't resist trailing his fingers along her pulse point, savoring the small shiver she gave and the sudden darkness in her eyes as she looked up at him. All he had to do was lean forward, and he could claim her lips?—
A sharp laugh shattered the moment.
"It's just so sad," a female voice carried clearly. "These warriors, forced to consider such... unfortunate options. All because of some arbitrary matching system."
He stiffened, biting back a snarl. He recognized that voice. Sure enough, when he turned his head, Aisha sat at a nearby table, visible past the alcove's subtle privacy screen. He sighed, closing his eyes. He'd chosen this section specifically to avoid something like this happening. How had she known he and Eira would be here tonight?
"I mean really," Aisha continued, each word as precise as a poison dart, "taking colony trash out of pity? It's hardly fair to the warriors. Or to more suitable candidates who actually understand station society."
Eira pulled her hand from his, curling it in her lap. Her gaze fixed on the bracelet, but he saw the hurt expression she quickly smothered.
Fury rose in his chest, hot enough to burn, and his fingers clenched around his glass until the crystal creaked in protest. But before he could speak, Aisha spoke again.
"Though I suppose some females are desperate enough to throw themselves at any warrior who shows interest. No standards at all..."
The glass shattered in his grip. Eira flinched at the sound, and that small movement broke something in him. He started to rise, fully prepared to confront the horrible human female regardless of protocol, but Eira put a soft hand on his arm, stopping him.
He looked down, seeing her tense expression and the misery in her eyes.
"Please," she whispered. "Can we just go?"
The defeat in her tone twisted like a blade in his chest. She'd withdrawn into herself, all their earlier warmth destroyed. He wanted to rage, to demand satisfaction for this insult to his chosen mate, but Eira's need came first.
"Of course, kelarris."
They walked out in silence. The corridor felt colder somehow, the station's regular lighting hard and unforgiving after the low lighting of their table. When Eira's hand slipped from his arm, he had to bite back a gasp, the loss of contact verging on physical pain.
"We should head back," she said quietly, not meeting his gaze. "The children?—"
"No." He caught her arm, spinning her to face him. Before she could protest, he buried one hand in her hair and pulled her against him. "Don't let that... female poison this."
He bent and claimed her mouth, pouring everything he couldn't say into a desperate kiss. She froze for a heartbeat, and he thought she was going to push him away. He would have let her, but he would have done anything, even gone down on his knees, to get her to listen to him.
But then she relaxed, melting against him with a soft sound of surrender that sent fire raging through his blood. Her hands slid up his chest, leaving a trail of fire in their wake to tangle in his braids.
He growled his approval against her lips, kissing her until they were both breathless... until he felt her trembling against him. Until he was sure she understood that none of Aisha's words mattered, that she was his, and he was never letting her go.