35. Bikar
BIKAR
Staring at the top of Bambi’s head, I cut my eyes over to her Heather, and I know my flabbers are gasted just as hers are. Gesturing to the door with my horns, she takes the hint and quietly leaves.
Popping the tech leads out of their ports, I gain my feet and carefully approach my mate, ensuring she hears me since she is still staring at the floor. Slipping a wing from its slit, it rustles as it cautiously settles and slowly pulls her towards me. “Little Starshine, talk to me.”
Unfurling her arms from around her middle, she launches herself forward, hugging me as her shoulders shake with silent tears. Bending at the knee, I scoop her into my arms, carry her back to my chair, and sit.
“Shh. Shh. Shh. There is no need for your tears.”
“I’m… I’m… so sorry!”
Linking with the Scythe, I send a message to all of my brothers explaining that I will be late to the meeting with Vornek, ignoring Ruarc’s instant foul reply—though I am sorry to miss the look on his ugly face when he meets everyone in person.
My mate takes precedence.
Always.
“You need not apologize either. I am not upset or offended, and neither is your Heather. Your feelings are valid. Looking at it from your perspective, and considering how you were raised, it is easy to see how you could misconstrue our actions.”
Jostling her, I snuggle closer and block the rest of the world out with my wings, creating an isolated space just for us. Keeping my voice low and soothing, I coach her through her upset.
“Deep breaths. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Slow your breathing down, little doe. This is nothing more than a misunderstanding that has led to a panic attack. We will work through it.”
Sucking in a deep breath, she tries to follow my instructions. “Aren’t we… we supposed to be meeting… the… the others?”
Shrugging off her concern takes little effort. “Bah. They can wait. You are, and will always be, my top priority. When you are ready and are composed, only then will we join the others.”
Time passing means little as we work through her panic.
Eventually, her breathing slows, and her tears stop, but the scent of her embarrassment is so strong it makes my nose wrinkle. Strands of curly hair tangle with my thick beard as I rub my cheek against the top of her head.
“Please do not feel embarrassed.”
“Sometimes I forget you can smell my emotions. It’s a little unfair.”
Smiling, I have to admit she has a point. “Valid, but females are confusing enough as is. A male needs every advantage possible to understand you.”
I lift her head with the tip of my finger until I can see her beautiful face. Her inner light shines so brightly, I feel blessed to have her in my life. “You are breathtaking, Bambi.”
Snorting out a laugh, she rolls her eyes at me. “Yeah, sure. My nose is leaking snot, my face is red and blotchy, and my eyes are crusty with salt.”
“Yes, these things are true, but all that aside… you are beautiful, and always will be the pinnacle of desirability to me.” Bambi starts to shake her head. “No, do not shake your head at me. Your people have a saying, ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’ and nothing could be truer.”
Standing with her safely ensconced in my arms, I ignore her peep of surprise at my abrupt motion. “Come now. Let’s go meet a grouchy fracker named Vornek.”
“Why do you sound… gleeful about that?”
“Ohhhh… no reason.”
“That innocent tone of voice does not work on me, Bikar. Don’t you dare start something when we literally just got here!”
By the time she has finished admonishing me for my future shenanigans, I have carried her through the Scythe and across the small docking bay to the exit ramp.
It is there I stop and look down, enjoying her singular company before we leave the semi-privacy of the ship and enter into a social situation beyond my control.
I can hear Slavic and Ruarc speaking to someone and…
“Why is Heather screaming?”
Human hearing must be better than I thought, but then again, her friend is rather loud.
Tilting my head to ascertain what we are walking into, I do nothing to stop my evil grin as it forms. “It appears as though your Heather has met Bhastas, and it is not going well.”
“Oh shit.”
Things just got rather interesting.