13. Bambi
BAMBI
Stepping into the hallway after Heather’s all-clear knock, my jaw drops at what I see waiting for me.
He brought me flowers!
I’ve only ever read about women getting flowers from their dates in the books I snuck home from Miss Ronda’s thrift shop on the rare occasions we went to town. Hugging them to me, I look up at him with watery eyes, and I see his black vertical pupils shrink in alarm.
“Little doe, have I erred? The records indicated this gesture would make you happy, not weep.”
Quirking my head at what he just called me, it takes me a second to realize his large hands are slowly reaching towards me, as if he means to take the flowers back. Cradling the beautiful multicolored bouquet protectively against my body, I’m shocked at how harsh my voice is.
“Don’t you dare try to take these from me—I love them. They’re mine. You gave them to me.”
A conciliatory, yet bashful, smile creeps across his inhuman face as he rubs the bridge of his crooked nose. “Of course, my mate. Whatever you wish. Would you like to have our end-of-rotation meal now?”
Extending an arm, he steps to the side, giving me plenty of room to proceed down the hallway to the cafeteria—aka dining hall.
I’m only a little self-conscious walking in front of him.
Passing an open doorway, I see Myev and Lurtza sparring in some sort of room full of equipment.
Ducking my head, I shy away from the attention when they both offer us a friendly wave.
I haven’t seen many of the Ruks since we boarded this vessel, and chalked it up to them all being exhausted from the daily struggle of trying to survive on Deapra after escaping the hell the Aynar put them through.
I’m sure all of them need time to decompress from what they’ve been through and have dang well earned a nap.
I’m actually pretty sure that’s what most of the older Ruks are doing.
There aren’t that many young Ruks in our little ragtag group anyway.
Walking into the dining hall, I’m shocked to see that the lights have been dimmed and one of the tables off to the side has been set for two.
It’s not an overly romantic setting with candles or flower petals—which would have made me uncomfortable on a first date—but it’s warm and inviting.
Bikar steps around me and deftly pulls the chair out before looking at me expectantly.
How does he know how to do all of this?
I look up at him in curiosity. “This is really nice, Bikar. Where did you learn how to set something like this up?”
Using the stool he must have found, I hop up into the Ruk-sized seat as Bikar gently pushes it in for me before stepping around the table to sit.
His facial expression is… hesitant, but he takes a deep breath to answer my question anyway.
“I am not sure if this will be something you relish, but the data block that caused all our initial turmoil was…”
His words trail off in a whisper, and I begin to tense. “It was what…?”
Locking eyes with me, he drops a metaphorical bomb with his next words.
“It was human society as a whole. Your species’ history, the details of your planet…
everything that made up Earth is contained on that data block.
The Korgons must have known your planet was not going to exist much longer, which is why they started stealing humans at an alarming rate.
It also explains why they copied every informational record they could before leaving your people to their fate. ”
Slumping, my back hits the hard surface of the chair, my breath escaping in a whoosh. “Wow… that’s… that’s a lot.” My eyes widen as surprise turns to understanding, and I lean forward accusingly. “That’s why you were trying to die when I found you.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I try to keep my frustration in check; nothing good ever happens when I get angry.
“I may not be as smart as you or understand a lot of the technology stuff, but even I know that shoving that much stuff into one person’s brain can’t possibly be a good idea. What the heck were you thinking?”
Embarrassment causes his eye contact to falter, and he stares at the table in front of him as he replies in a low, rough voice. “I was desperate.”
Lifting only his eyes, he pierces me with a look so sharp I suck air.
My heated retort halts before I can fire at him.
“To my people, a mate is everything, and mine abhorred the sight of me. Wanted nothing to do with me. Did not relish our connection at all… and… that wounded me deeply. I would have done anything to get the slightest inkling of warmth from you.”
Tears fill my eyes, making his outline blur. I have so many emotions racing across my mind; I’m not sure which one is making me cry. Using my sleeves, I wipe my face and take a calming breath.
“Bikar… I’m not exactly sure what you want or expect me to say to that. Whatever connection you say we have…”
My words trail off, the denial of any connection on my part hot on my tongue, but something did lead me to him when he was dying.
And I’ve always been an honest person, even when lying would have been easier.
Like the good Lord says, the truth will always set you free.
So, if I can’t be honest with myself and the being He sent to me…
Then who else can I be completely, brutally truthful with?
“I won’t lie to you, Bikar. I don’t love you, and right now, I’m not sure I even like you.”
His big body deflates, and I see defeat written all over him, so I hurry through the rest of what I have to say.
“But… I can’t deny that there is some kind of connection between us.
When you were dying, I could feel that something was wrong, and that sense of wrongness is how I found you in the helm room. ”
Placing my hands flat on the table, my voice trembles a little, but my words are clear. “But just because I now know why you did what you did to Murgul doesn’t mean that I like or agree with it.”
“That is fair, little one. All I am asking for is a chance to know you.”
Nodding, I have to admit that he’s not asking for a lot. This is my life now, and I know things happen the way they do for a reason. I’m not going to instantly be okay with men, males, or even Bikar in general, but I can at least give him a chance.
Offering him a tentative smile, I agree. “Okay, Bikar. Shoot your best shot.”
A brilliant grin exposes sharp teeth, and I have to stifle a wince. But I still can’t help but smile a little bigger myself at his hopeful exuberance, even for something as simple as a chance.
He sure ain’t like the boys back home, but maybe that’s a good thing.