CHAPTER 14
Naraq
Her fear and uncertainty broke my heart, when I’d been taught and learned to control my emotions from the moment I was born. It was the Sanctarian way and considered a superior way, but after bonding with Alexa, I questioned everything about my species.
Our children received limited affection, but I’d seen mothers do more than recommended when they thought no one noticed.
I didn’t enforce everything scientists and those above me insisted was for the best, especially after my mother raised me the way she wanted, and thank the stars because Alexa needed tenderness instead of stark rules.
No matter what anyone said, love couldn’t be controlled, and every time I glanced at her, I experienced an emotion that I could only describe with a word others frowned upon.
Quiet but observant, she’d hovered in a corner well out of the way of my commander and Sanctarian workers as they prepared for departure from this solar system. Several times her eyes met mine, but then she’d look away as if she bothered me.
“Come here, Alexa,” I commanded, finally sick of her avoidance.
She shook her head, glancing at the men on either side of me, and backed further into the corner.
I stood straight, feeling the insecurity emanating from her until I couldn’t stand it anymore, and marched toward her.
“No, Naraq. I’ll just be in the way,” she stammered, searching for a way to escape.
“My companion is never in the way,” I grumbled before picking her up and carrying her to the control panel and viewer screens. I set her down in front of me, trapping her between me and the screens.
“Naraq!”
“See that,” I said, grabbing her hand and lifting it to a screen. “That is our trajectory.”
“I feel stupid because I don’t know what I’m looking at.”
“You’ll learn, and I’ll be your teacher,” I said, not giving her a chance to doubt herself anymore. “You know music, so you know chords, progressions, and patterns. Our path works the same way.”
When she finally relaxed, I explained everything I was doing while answering her questions.
“Thank you, Naraq.”
“You’re welcome. Now, are you ready?”
“Ready for what?”
“Let’s go to the gathering room with your grandfather.”
“Really? You can leave?”
“I am Ruler Supreme,” I teased, puffing out my chest. “I can do whatever I want.”
My commander lifted one eyebrow at my statement and smirked when I led Alexa away.
“The ship is in your hands, Commander.”
“As you wish, Ruler Supreme.”
Alexa squeezed my hand. “Are you always present when the ship light-shifts?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t have to leave for me, Naraq.”
“I leave because I want to be with you, and I wish to ease your concern.”
Alexa backed me into the wall once we were on the transporter. “I find it extremely attractive when you’re considerate,” she said, grabbing my shirt and pulling my face to hers.
My eyes dropped to her mouth when she licked her lips, tempting me to stop at the closet again.
“No, Naraq,” she laughed out before kissing me.
“Then don’t tempt me by kissing me.”
Alexa grinned when the transporter stopped. “We’ll kiss more later, Ruler Supreme.”
“I wish to kiss more now, Alexa,” I growled before threading my tongue into her mouth.
Alexa sighed against me when the kiss ended. “Not fair.”
I smiled for the second time. “I think I read in one of your books that all is fair in love and war.”
Alexa patted my chest and laughed before backing away. “And you would be correct, Ruler Supreme.”