Chapter 18
The following morning,Cyra followed Dez through the levels of the building and several tunnels before exiting into the forest. It was cooler than she’d expected. The canopy of trees let only small amounts of light reach the forest floor. Birds called to their mates, filling the humid air with melody. Despite the birds and the other unfamiliar sounds, a stillness settled inside her as a quiet peace. Serenity that could never be found on her ship with its different systems constantly whirring and beeping. If she’d been alone, it might have been unnerving. But Dez led her with strong, self-assured movements. His natural patterns blended into the shadows. If not for his clothes, he would’ve been nearly invisible if he stood still.
Dez’s silence let Cyra get lost in her own thoughts. She followed him unaware of how far they traveled. Heat slowly warmed her skin. It wasn’t often that she had the luxury of walking on anything other than a motorized treadmill on the ship. It was different to walk without artificial gravity, using muscles she’d forgotten she had.
The smells were different too—dirt and the plants—so different from the ship and even from her home planet. And Dez’s smell fit in here perfectly. When had she become aware of his scent? They’d been traveling between the station and the planets for such a short time and she’d tried to avoid him as much as possible. Somehow, his uniqueness to anything she’d known before had registered deep inside her. There, in the forest of his home planet, he made perfect sense, unlike when she visited him in the cargo bay where he definitely didn’t belong, or in his equally unsuitable quarters. An alpha predator, he moved silently, alert to every small movement hidden by the forest growth. Small animals and insects she would have overlooked otherwise, she caught by following his focus. He was breathtaking in his element.
As they continued to walk, Cyra detected a new sound—one she knew intimately—the splashing and rushing of falling water. A wave of aching anticipation flowed through her. The smell of the water became stronger. She breathed deeply, appreciating the sweet humidity that hadn’t been pumped out of a mechanical system entering her lungs. Life thrived in the natural water that was never present on the ship, even in the water chamber. She followed Dez around a large outcropping of dark grey stones and there, in all of its cascading glory, was an enormous waterfall. It flowed down a sheer cliff face, a living thing, moving on its own. Actual water. The vines followed it down, reaching with their tendrils into the mist. The sky, so deep blue, appeared purple. Faint rainbows flickered into view as the spray danced in the unobscured sunlight.
Tears gathered in her eyes at the beauty of it. The loss. She’d given up such beauty when she ran away to The Treasure all those g-years ago.
“Come, sit here.” Dez patted a smooth, somewhat flat rock.
Cyra settled beside him, close enough that a tingle of energy filled the gap between them. “This is perfect. Paradise.”
“It’s always been a favorite spot of mine. My childhood home was in the opposite direction and quite a bit farther. It’s different to sit on this of this fall. It’s the place I dream of when I dream of home.”
“I can see why. Thank you for taking me here.” The words weren’t enough.
Dez said nothing for a moment. “Do you have a place you dream of when you dream of home?”
“My planet’s very different from yours. It’s almost entirely saltwater. I was born on one of two main landmasses. My family lives near a beach.” A twinge of loss arced across her heart. She swallowed it down. “I swam everyday I could. I love being in the water.” Needed it to survive.
“If we had more time, I would take you to a Lake Gal’An. It’s too far to walk, but the water is crystal clear and not as cold as this waterfall.”
“I would’ve liked that,” Cyra said quietly, wishing things could be different for Dez.
They sat wordlessly for a long time before Cyra rose and asked him to take her back to the palace. It seemed like a longer walk back and Cyra was tired when they reached his parents home. She left Dez to rest and dream of what her life might be like if she hadn’t run away so many years ago—had agreed to take a mate and have lots of babies. But as much as she missed nature, she couldn’t honestly romanticize the life she’d left. She’d never have met Dez, or Veda. She’d never have had the chance to see new worlds like Din’Gale. She’d never have been independent and the captain of her own future. And as much as she loved—even lived for—the natural beauty of a planet like Din’Gale, her life was meant for more than pretty walks in nature and family meals.
Besides, she had obligations to her partners, to the people who’d contracted her to deliver the dogs. And even to Auvi—to honor what he’d given her and to finish out the commitment he’d made with the contract to deliver Dez. Life wasn’t always rainbows and waterfalls. The Treasure, the unforgiving metal behemoth, would give her a life much more substantial than mist in the sunlight.
Veda knocked on Cyra’s door what seemed like moments after they’d returned. She hadn’t been aware that she’d fallen asleep so quickly and deeply.
“They’re hoping you will come down and share a meal with the family before we leave,” Veda said from the doorway.
“Of course, just let me get myself together.”
“Are you feeling well? You don’t look good.” Veda’s eyebrows pinched together.
“I’m fine, just tired. It must be the air on this planet, it makes me want to sleep.” With Dez. Where had that come from? She scrambled from the bed as if she’d found him in it.
“I’ll let them know you’re coming.”
Nope. Not coming. Or rather— “Yes, I’ll be there shortly.”
The tension at the table settled heavy on Dez’s shoulders. His mother was unhappy. He hated when his mother was sad, but there was nothing he could do to change it. Circumstances had changed for his family, but they had changed because of the decision he’d made. He couldn’t second guess that decision now. He’d made promises. One when he entered the indentured servitude and a second one to Cyra.
She entered the room, and he was captivated once again by how lovely she was. He noted that her eyes were tired, but stunning—like the ocean was captured in her orbs. Her loose, dark-green hair appeared black except when the sunlight hit it at just the right angle. The more time he spent with her, the more attractive she became.
“My son,” his mother began after everyone was seated and eating. “You must consider staying.”
“I cannot, and I wish to discuss something other than my remaining.”
His royal brother-in-law spoke up saving the lunch. “I have a proposition for Captain Maejzur.”
“Please, call me Cyra, your highness.”
“Captain Cyra, I’ve been seeking a reliable method to sell goods to Cassan. Din’Gale has an abundance of food and selling fresh items to the space station can be very profitable, or so my brother informs me. We’re able to ship within our solar system with our own transport ships, but none are rated for such long travel.”
“We have the latest technology in refrigeration and preservation systems in our cargo bay. The Treasure is specifically designed for transporting live and perishable cargo.” The pride in her voice swelled Dez’s chest even though he was her cargo.
“I was told the same thing by Dez.”
Dez continued to eat despite the weight of Cyra’s gaze on him.
His brother-in-law cleared his throat and took a sip of water. “Would you consider a trial contract for one delivery to Cassan? If all goes well, perhaps we can create a regular schedule for shipments. I wouldn’t want to ship too often. Scarcity keeps the revenue high. Also in farming, there are ups and downs. But selling our surplus to Cassan a few times a year has an appeal.”
Cyra straightened in the chair, shifting from her role of guest back into captain. “Of course we would be interested in a contract, your highness.” Even her voice was laced with an authority and confidence that made her more attractive. “Perhaps after the meal we can discuss the details. We have to leave soon due to contractual deadlines. The fuel and other provisions are being loaded now. Right, Veda?”
Veda nodded.
Dez smiled remembering the look on Veda’s face when she saw the medical supplies that had been included in the gift from his parents. His family had been very generous in honor of his visit. It was a small thing, but it would make the trip a little safer. He didn’t expect he would be using any of the medicinals himself, but it was good to be prepared for the unexpected.
The next day dawn with a brilliant red sunrise. Dez savored the spectacular view, imprinting the image to warm him when he was cold on the mining planet.
“It’s time to go.” Cyra’s voice was soft, filled with guilt and a hint of concern.
“Yes, Captain.”
“Dez, I’d understand if you refused. It would ruin—” She glanced at where Veda, Blaize, and Rhysa waited in the hovercraft.
“I only need a moment to say goodbye.”
Dez’s mother cried quietly, devastated tears trickled slowly down her face. His heart broke, knowing that would be the last time he saw his family. He held each one of them.
His sister whispered in his ear, “Don’t go Dez. I never should have let you sell yourself. I was too selfish.”
He held her face and forced himself to smile, “I would do it again to see you this happy with your mate. It was worth it.”
The prince pulled him into an unexpected embrace and told Dez, “You are an honorable male. You will be rewarded in this lifetime.”
Dez never expected to be rewarded beyond seeing his family cared for. And how would he receive any further rewards—working in a mine on an ice planet at the other end of the galaxy from everyone he loved? But it was a nice thought. Finally, there were no more goodbyes to be said. Dez walked onto the ship behind Cyra. Each step killed the last bit of hope for his future. No sunshine and waterfalls. No family. No mate.
He headed directly to his quarters to be alone. To be cargo.