Chapter 11 #4
Inside their quarters, Krevan helped Ancelin peel off her soiled clothes. The hot shower revived her briefly, but exhaustion quickly followed. "I need to lie down," she murmured as Krevan helped her into fresh garments. "My stomach's still churning."
"I'll dispose of these," he said, bundling their stained clothing.
"But I packed so little..."
"We'll manage." Krevan paused, head tilted. "Feel that vibration? We've broken atmosphere. The real journey begins—and with it, possibly some space sickness."
"The space travel never bothered me before. But I wasn't carrying a Triaxen baby then, was I?" Ancelin pressed her palm against her forehead. "Everything's spinning. I need to lie down."
Krevan guided her to the bunk and tucked the thin military-issue blanket around her. He brushed aside a strand of hair from her neck, unfastened the top of her shirt, and pressed his lips to her skin before sinking his teeth into the soft flesh of her breast.
Ancelin gasped, her back arching slightly. Warmth spread through her veins like honey, melting away the nausea.
"Better?" Krevan murmured against her skin. "Rest now. I'll check our situation and bring back provisions." He indicated a yellow button on the wall panel. "Press this if you need me. Don't hesitate."
"I hate feeling like this," she whispered. "Weak. Useless."
"It's temporary. Just pregnancy sickness and fatigue." His fingers traced her cheek. "Sleep will help."
"Don't stay away long," she said, her eyelids already growing heavy. "I'm uneasy here."
"I'll be quick. Just a status check and food retrieval."
When Krevan returned, Ancelin was drifting between sleep and wakefulness. He coaxed her upright and offered a container of food and a hydration pack.
"You need fluids on this dry vessel," he insisted.
She grimaced after the first bite. "Military rations. Definitely not luxury liner cuisine." She pushed the tray away. "Sleep seems more appealing than this."
"This vessel prioritizes combat capability and velocity over creature comforts.
Triaxen military personnel are conditioned to subsist on whatever protein sources are available, regardless of palatability.
Despite the austerity, we've been assigned premier accommodation. Is the sleeping surface tolerable?"
"It rivals concrete for discomfort."
"I can make do with the floor, unless you prefer, I serve as your mattress?
" Krevan's mouth curved upward. "Though the berth hardly accommodates two, and I'd rather not risk compressing you or becoming the target of another digestive mishap.
" His expression soured slightly. "Particularly the latter scenario. "
"Great, another embarrassing moment for my highlight reel," Ancelin muttered.
Krevan's lips quirked upward. "Just keep track of the milestones. I'll take the floor for now—just signal if you need a clear path to the bathroom."
"Can we drop it already?" Her voice came out sharper than she intended.
"Consider it dropped." Krevan settled against the wall, fingers raking through his dark hair. "Couldn't sleep now anyway. My mind's still processing everything."
Ancelin reached for his hand. "I've turned your whole existence upside down, haven't I? Just... stay until I drift off? I can't shake this feeling they're still hunting us. What if they've infiltrated the ship? Or what if they're tracking us to Triaxe? Will we ever stop looking over our shoulders?"
"We're secure here," Krevan said, squeezing her fingers.
"This vessel outmatches anything they could send after us.
The Triaxen guards would die before letting anyone reach you—it's why they specifically assigned our kind to this mission.
We might bicker amongst ourselves, but against outsiders.
We're unified. You're my mate carrying a Triaxen child—that makes you doubly protected under our laws.
No one from our world would ever permit harm to come to you. "
Ancelin fought to keep her eyelids from closing as his words washed over her.
The ship's alarms pierced Ancelin's sleep like needles.
She bolted upright, her heart hammering against her ribs.
"Krevan!" The word caught in her throat as nausea surged.
She swung her legs over the edge of the bunk, but the room tilted beneath her feet.
Her knees buckled. Krevan's arms were around her before she hit the floor.
"Easy," he murmured against her hair. "You'll harm the baby."
Bile rose in her throat. "Bathroom," she gasped, clutching his forearm. "Now. Please." Her eyes darted toward the door as the alarms continued their wail. "They've found us, haven't they?"
Krevan guided her swiftly across the chamber, supporting her weight as they moved.
"Don't worry, my love. This vessel is built for combat," Krevan said, steadying her with his hand.
"Nowhere is safe for us anymore," Ancelin moaned, lurching toward the bathroom just in time.
The intercom crackled. "This is your captain speaking. We apologize for the alarm. A piece of space debris struck our outer hull. No damage sustained. Continue as you were."
Krevan leaned against the bathroom doorframe, his voice low and certain. "I won't let anything happen to you."
Chapter 17
"We're approaching Triaxe," Krevan said, checking his timepiece. "Four hours until landing. Might want to consider a shower."
Ancelin blinked, disoriented. "Four hours? Wait—how long was I out?"
"Long enough that those clothes might walk off on their own." He wrinkled his nose. "Four days, give or take."
"Four days?" She pushed herself up on her elbows.
"You'd wake up just enough to eat something, use the bathroom, then crash again. Mother's been by several times to check your vitals." Krevan straightened the rumpled bedding. "Everyone's gathering at the space station—family, old friends. Quite the welcoming committee."
Ancelin swung her legs over the edge of the bunk, gripping the frame as the room tilted. "I'll need your help getting to the shower. Everything's spinning."
"Just promise if you get sick again, you'll aim for my sister instead of me." Krevan winked, offering his arm. "Though I probably deserve it most."
"I'm sorry about the mess," Ancelin whispered. "At least it was you and not some dignitary from Triaxe."
"Next time, I'll remember to move slower,” Krevan said, his voice gentle as he guided her from the bunk to the shower. The warm water cascaded over her clammy skin.
"I didn't pack properly," she said, watching rivulets run down the drain. "One ruined outfit and these sleep-wrinkled clothes are all I have left. What will your family think?"
Krevan's lips curved into a smile. "Mother and my sisters will solve that problem. They've been waiting for someone to dress up Vallex-style."
After her shower, Ancelin slipped into her last clean pajamas, the soft fabric a small comfort against her sensitive skin.
"About your father's power crystal," Krevan said, his tone shifting to something more formal. "Would you permit my father and me to handle negotiations with both governments? Our attorneys are prepared to assist us."
"Please do," she said, meeting his eyes. "I'd only complicate things with tears or worse." She attempted a smile that made him chuckle. "I trust your judgment. Safety is all I care about now."
When she embraced him, she winced. "Everything's so tender," she murmured against his chest. "I can't wait for this phase to pass.
I can't spend the entire pregnancy unconscious.
" She lowered herself to the bed's edge, suddenly serious. “Krevan, there’s one thing I want input on. I want to be the one to name the power crystal. It deserves a special name.”
"Have you thought of a name for it?" Krevan asked.
Ancelin's eyes brightened despite her exhaustion. "The Trever-Vallex Crystal," she said, her voice growing stronger. "For both our families. For my father's memory. For you and your family." She reached for his hand. "Handle the rest however you need to. Just keep us safe."
Krevan's throat tightened. He squeezed her fingers gently.
"I'll bring you into every decision," he promised.
"The Trever-Vallex Crystal..." He tested the name on his tongue.
"My father will be moved by this. My whole family will be.” He knelt before her, his eyes level with hers. "You do us great honor."
His lips brushed against hers, and he tasted salt.
"We need to prepare," he said. "We'll be landing on Triaxe soon, and my family will swarm us. I haven't seen them in years, and the entire Triaxen community is buzzing about my return with a mate."
"I'm happy for you," Ancelin said.
Krevan took her hands. "You've changed everything for me. Wherever you go, I follow."
The shower had revived her, and his words warmed something inside her chest. She straightened her shoulders, feeling more ready to face the crowd awaiting them.
"You look better," he said with a smile.
She raised an eyebrow. "Better? So, I looked terrible before?"
"No—I meant—" he stammered, watching her expression harden. "Your clothes are—you're clean now—even in pajamas—" He ran a hand through his hair. "Gods, for someone so small, you terrify me sometimes." He laughed nervously. "The feared ex-Hellgate Triaxen, reduced to babbling by one look from you."
Ancelin's mouth twitched, but she maintained her stern gaze.
"You're beautiful," he said firmly. "And when we're home, we'll find you proper clothes."
They entered the dining area where Vida and Aiden sat with Tray, coffee mugs in hand. Vida looked immaculate, as always. The men rose when Ancelin approached, waiting until she settled beside Vida.
"Hungry?" Krevan asked. "You've barely eaten in two days."
"I'll have whatever's safe for Earth humans," Ancelin said.
"Coming right up, my sweet." Krevan squeezed her shoulder before heading toward the food station.