Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
GWENDOLYN
Feminine shouts of outrage burst from Ruby, Rowan, and Kallen as soon as Slavic is done talking.
Ruby jumps to her feet, a hand on one hip and the tip of a finger on the other hand poking into his broad gray chest, while Rowan turns to glare up at Einar, and Kallen scoots away from Ruarc.
Ruby’s raucous voice sounds first. “If you think you are leaving me up here without you, for any length of time. You are sadly mistaken, mister.”
Slavic pinches his nose between two massive fingers before glaring down at his mate’s tense face, before he doubles down. “Ruby, it is not safe on Deapra. Bikar has informed me that there is some component in the atmosphere that interferes with our comm systems.”
Wincing in sympathy for the male, I wait for Ruby’s response because her face is flushing an alarming shade of red that almost matches her vibrant hair. “Even more reason for us not to be separated! What if something were to happen to you?! There would be no way for you to call for help!”
Slavic’s thunderous face relaxes, his love for Ruby the only softness to be found in the imposing male, before he gathers her up in his massive arms, hugging her close.
Attempting to soothe her worries, his voice is a gentle cadence as he croons to his fiery mate.
“Bikar has ways to track our movements and vital signs without the use of comms. The risk is minimal, Ruby. This I promise to you. I would not risk our bond so soon after finding you if I was not absolutely sure.”
Ruby’s whole body deflates, sagging against Slavic until he scoops her up in his arms and sits back down with her firmly ensconced in his lap.
Leaning down, Slavic tenderly kisses her forehead before continuing.
“My Starshine, I do not want to leave you, but we must do our due diligence to find our mam and little sister. Bikar, Murgul, and Falon are instrumental to the Zenith staying operational. That is why they are staying aboard. Between the three of them, there is no being that can infiltrate this ship.”
Ruby’s face is scrunched up in irritation as she snaps back. “Gah! I hate it when you make sense and have a well-thought-out plan!”
Chuckling, he peers down at her with warmth emanating from his entire being, radiating towards his mate. “This I know.”
“Now that we have that cleared up, should we expect to leave for this scouting mission?” Einar interjects.
Slavic ruefully rubs a large hand across his bald head. “If there are any clues left, the sooner we get down there, the sooner we can find them. I want you and Ruarc ready to depart directly after the fast-breaking meal on the next rising.”
Rowan lets out a soft whimper and curls deeper into Einar’s side as he hurriedly reassures her. “It is okay, little Starshine. I will be back before you can miss me.”
She reaches up, cupping his jaw in one hand, smiling at him tenderly before replying. “Not possible, I already miss you and you haven’t even left yet.”
Tearing my eyes away from the intimate scene of Einar and Rowan comforting one another before me, my gaze lands on a stricken-looking Kallen. She’s moved even further away from Ruarc and is staring at the two couples with blatant longing in her beautiful amber eyes.
She must feel the weight of my stare because her watery eyes meet mine, and she sends a melancholy smile my way before abruptly standing, swaying a bit before she plants her large feet and steadies herself.
“Since you males need to leave so soon, there is no time to waste. Preparations need to be made for your trip.”
And with that, she hurries from the room, surreptitiously wiping at her eyes before the sliding door hides her from sight. A pang of sympathy for her rises up in me. She seems like such a sweet woman. I don’t understand why Ruarc is being such a dick to her.
“Kallen is correct. There is much to do and little time to accomplish it.”
Before Slavic can continue, Falon speaks up for the first time. “Slavic, you and Einar need to spend time with your mates. I will handle everything that must be done this rotation. Do not worry about it. Enjoy your time with your females.”
Einar and Slavic glance at each other for a second before looking back at Falon, grateful smiles wreathing their faces. They speak over the top of each other in their haste to express their gratitude to Falon.
“Thank you, brother. Rowan and I very much appreciate you.”
“Yes, Ruby and I thank you as well, Falon.”
Both women murmur their agreement before they all head out of the dining hall.
“Shoebuddy, this shit is better than Days of Our Lives. All we need is popcorn and we would be set!” Bambi’s energetic outburst catches Heather and me by surprise, and makes Bikar twist in his chair to stare at her in confusion.
The expression on his face is the icing on the cake, making our giggles over Bambi’s quip turn into full-on belly laughter.
“What is this ‘Days of Our Lives’ that the curly-headed one speaks of?”
Between bouts of belly-shaking laughter, I answer.
“I’ll have to explain soap operas to you later. Much, much later.”
She is so beautiful when she laughs.
For once, we can agree on something.
Tilting my head, I peer up at Murgul, perplexed. I could be wrong, but it almost sounded like he was talking to someone else. Shaking my head, I dismiss the thought. How could he possibly be speaking to someone else inside his own mind?