Chapter 10
Why was I invited to this?
I’d made it an entire week working for Monqilcolnen, and I’d only received the eyebrow lift five times.
Each one had been enough to send me fleeing from the room.
They weren’t losing their potency with exposure.
Unfortunately. When I’d scuttled away from him, I’d looked back every time and had seen Monqilcolnen with his eyes downcast and his brow furrowed.
The look had been nearly enough to make me halt in my step. Almost.
When my day off finally came around, it was a massive relief.
A day without Monqilcolnen. Instead, I’d be able to spend time with Seth and Bobbinvoxlyn, work on my project with Edith, chill with Urgg, help Cencay study for tests, or maybe even continue getting to know Camden, though he was always with Noxlyn now, then ending the day in the best possible way—snuggling some cats in the shrine.
But none of that was going to happen. Sadly. Nope. Instead I was in the experience suite. I didn’t even like experiences, unless they were stories, but Seth preferred combat ones, like the one I was currently participating in. And even worse, I was in this suite with star-begotten Monqilcolnen.
This morning Seth had invited me to the experience he and Kalvoxrencol were going to play.
Urgg was joining them, as was Serlotminden and Bartholomew.
The only reason I’d come was because this was a huge step for Seth.
He was leaving Bobbinvoxlyn alone with Talvax.
I had no idea how Kalvoxrencol convinced him to do it.
Seth, to my knowledge, had never left his child alone with anyone besides Kalvoxrencol, except Vince and Zoltilvoxfyn. He trusted them both implicitly.
As Seth’s close friend, I had to support him, because this wouldn’t be easy. He struggled to take his eyes off Bobbinvoxlyn and had to hold him constantly, but he was getting better, and today was proof.
We were in one of Seth’s favorite experiences, which Urgg had helped design.
It was modelled after their home planet, Barus.
The rough red rock formations, the red sand, the dusty sky—all added minute interest to the barren wasteland.
The goal was to team up and shoot the other team, nothing truly exciting or interesting.
This was why I preferred stories. I needed a point to the experience, not simply fun, though I supposed that in itself should be enough.
I shouldn’t be playing this particular experience anyway, because I wasn’t allowed to fire a blaster, but Seth had helpfully suggested I use my non-dominant hand. I was a terrible shot already, and now I was going to be abysmal.
Nonetheless, I’d agreed, even though a certain commander was here.
The teams weren’t even, as there were seven of us.
We settled upon Urgg, Seth, Kalvoxrencol, and me, versus Serlotminden, Bartholomew, and Monqilcolnen.
I was basically useless, but I thought we had a chance of winning.
Urgg was a force of nature, and Seth and Kalvoxrencol weren’t far behind. It was going to be a close match.
I readjusted the tech vest for the millionth time as I followed Seth.
We were currently together in a huddle, moving around the rough rocks.
Seth and Kalvoxrencol planned to take to the air to spot people at some point while Urgg and I scouted from the ground.
The other three discussed plans in hushed whispers, and to be honest, I didn’t pay any attention.
Then Seth bobbed his head and grabbed Kalvoxrencol’s hand, effectively ending the conversation.
The prince tugged him close and spread his wings, flapping for a few moments before he and Seth left the ground.
I guessed we were starting.
Urgg pulled me close. “Serlotminden and Bartholomew will probably do the same thing, so we are hunting for Monqilcolnen.”
Of course we were. Why was the Crystal always against me? I tilted my head to the side in concession, not fighting, because what was the point? Fate seemed to be dragging me toward Monqilcolnen whether I wanted to go or not.
Keeping our steps light and our shoulders hunched, we moved through the rock formations.
Monqilcolnen would be the only green thing in this simulation, besides Urgg, and I merely had to find him.
It shouldn’t be that hard, but the more we searched, the more he was proving elusive.
Urgg and I walked around, circling the experience, but nothing.
Where was he?
Shots rang out, and Urgg dropped. I was only a moment behind, my soul pounding.
I heard Kalvoxrencol snarl, so I guessed someone had shot him or Seth, which meant we were losing.
Already. I wasn’t competitive exactly, and yet…
I hated the thought of losing, especially to Monqilcolnen.
Urgg did some complicated hand-waving, head-bobbing, and body-wiggling movement that would probably mean something to another barbarus of their clan, but I was utterly clueless.
When they darted away, I figured it meant: remain here and don’t get shot, which I could do.
More orange blasts went over my head, and I huddled closer to the rock formation for a breath, then started creeping around.
I’d learned at a young age to move almost silently.
My childhood hadn’t always been… pleasant, was how I chose to phrase it.
Much of it could’ve been worse, but much of it could’ve been better.
I would say a good deal of my childhood strife came from my own making, though.
But certain skill sets had come out of my childhood: the ability to move quickly and quietly and to fight with my hands, and a great tolerance for pain. Of course there was a certain negative that had also come from it—connecting emotionally was exceedingly difficult for me.
Sex? That was easy. I never lacked for a partner when I so desired it, but I never cared for any of them for more than a passing acquaintance.
Urgg, then Seth, followed by Edith, were my first friends, the first people who I truly cared for.
I didn’t need or want anything else. Though, when I allowed it, sometimes seeing couples like Urgg and Talvax and Seth and Kalvoxrencol would open a pit in my gut.
Fierce longing for someone to be by my side, to care for me as I cared for them, and to never be alone again swept through me.
Most of the time, I could ignore such foolish thoughts.
Crouching, I peeked around a rock and stilled until I was basically another stone formation.
Monqilcolnen was in front of me. His back faced me as he looked at something ahead of him.
This was my chance. I brought up my non-dominant hand, steadying it on the craggy rock.
One shot. A single shot. That was it. Nothing more.
Perhaps, for once, I wouldn’t be completely useless with a blaster.
I pulled the trigger, and the orange beam went wide, crashing into the rock above Monqilcolnen’s head.
It shattered, raining down debris. He whirled around, and our gaze connected.
For a single moment, we hesitated, eyes locked.
My pulse thrummed in my ears. I couldn’t look away, and neither could he, it seemed.
Slowly, Monqilcolnen extended a hand, like he wished for me to hold it, but that movement broke the haze clouding my thoughts.
With my soul in my throat, I ran in the opposite direction, rounding the outcroppings as fast as possible.
Feet sounded behind me, but I was fast. I wouldn’t let him catch me.
Someone slammed into my legs, but I rolled as we fell to the ground and wiggled on top of them.
Monqilcolnen was beneath me, his golden eyes wide.
I pushed off him, intending to run again and hoping he wouldn't shoot me in the back, but he tripped me and I fell again.
We grappled for several moments until I was on top again, pinning his arms above his head.
Our heaving chests pressed together as we stared at each other.
He lifted a single eyebrow, and my soul stuttered.
I started to scramble off him the exact same moment he rolled, catching me in the temple with his elbow.
I crashed to the ground, my eyes blurry.
Blood dripped down my cheek. My hearing turned to water, everything warbling and distant.
The blow hadn’t even hurt that badly, but when I blinked my eyes, I couldn’t seem to clear the sudden blurriness.
All I could focus on was the green blood covering my fingers.
Monqilcolnen’s face appeared over me. His white hair tickled my cheeks and his lips moved, but I couldn’t hear it. He cupped my cheek. “Wyn,” he said, my name cutting through the static. “Wyn.”
When I didn’t respond, his arms came around me, and my head flopped onto his shoulder. Monqilcolnen cradled me close and strode out of the experience. Consciousness slipped through my fingers as the door slid closed behind us.
I hovered over Wyn’s unconscious body in the medbay. His face was slack and his body was limp. Qinlin worked on him, appearing utterly unconcerned.
“So?” I demanded. My instincts screamed that I should yank him into my arms once again. I’d enjoyed the feel of him there. Wyn had fit perfectly within my embrace, as if he belonged there. At the same time, my inner fire repeated, non-stop, Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Soon.
That “soon” was taking far too long for my peace of mind. I needed it now, though whatever this was couldn’t be rushed. It was difficult to remember that when Wyn was lying lifeless in the medbay, and I was the one who’d placed him there.
“Here again. This one is here often,” she commented, her voice rough.
“Is he well?” I asked, struggling to stay calm. It was unusual for me to lose control, but something about Wyn being injured stoked my anger like nothing else ever had. He was special—utterly special.
“He will be fine. Concussion. He shouldn’t be left alone. If he vomits, starts twitching uncontrollably, develops a fever, has blurry vision, or suddenly detests light, bring him back,” she said, her claws clacking away on a screen.
I paused. “I’m to take responsibility for him?”
Qinlin glanced at me. “What? You want me to hold his tail? I’m far too busy, Commander. You broke him, you keep him. That seems fair.”
“I’m your superior officer.”
She tucked the screen under her arm, tail flicking.
Her eyes didn’t deviate from mine. “I am in charge of everyone on this ship’s health, including yours, Commander.
I cannot be forced to observe some lieutenant who happened to walk into your elbow.
Watch him yourself or pass his care off to another.
Perhaps Seth Harris? Though I believe it would be in your best interests to watch him. ”
“Why?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“It’s rather obvious when you know the signs.”
I was about to question her further, but an ensign came in with a crewman who had a deep slice on their arm. Green blood soaked through the makeshift bandage. Qinlin snapped at me, “Take your injured lieutenant and get out of my way, Commander.”
Wyn was still out of it when I scooped him into my arms. Once again, I was overwhelmed by the feeling of rightness. He belonged here, with me; I was sure of it. What I didn’t know was how we belonged together yet.