Bralix sighed. “Look, Phyrax, can I speak to the two of you for a minute? Face to face?”
Bralix heard a huff on the other end of the line. “Fine. I’ve unlocked the door; meet us in my quarters.”
“Thank you,” Bralix said. With a last glance over his shoulder at Samulin, he tapped on the control panel and the door swished open.
Phyrax and Emery were both sitting on Phyrax’s bed, Emery with the bed covering pulled op to cover her chest, even though she was clearly dressed. Phyrax was sitting at the foot of the bed on top of the covers, and pointed to his desk chair. “Sit.”
Bralix felt their eyes on him and the chair creaked under him as he sat down uncomfortably. When they just stared at him expectantly, he just blurted out the truth. “Phyrax, you were right.”
Phyrax appeared startled, but Emery gave a small smile. “And what are you going to do?” Phyrax asked.
Bralix hesitated, then addressed the only human in the room. “As a human, was the symbiote worth it?”
Emery glanced at Phyrax, “Of course,” she said, her expression going soft. “I was terrified, because the pain was excruciating, I didn’t know what was happening or why, and I had no choice in the matter, but if I had it to do over again, knowing the outcome, I would.”
“Because he claimed you as his mate,” Bralix nodded.
“No, because I love him,” Emery said.
Bralix rubbed at his heart, staring unseeing at the far bulkhead.
“Are you thinking of procuring a symbiote for her?” Phyrax asked. “Because I won’t help you if you’re planning on implanting one in that female against her will; believe me, brother, it is not worth it if she hates you.”
“I already have a symbiote,” Bralix said softly. “The breeders accidentally placed two symbiotes in your container.”
A light scuff from the doorway drew their attention, and Bralix saw Samulin standing in the open doorway with the bed covering wrapped around her. She looked uncertain, watchingPhyrax warily, and Bralix felt warmth in his chest when she inched toward him. “Hey, Samulin,” he said softly. He held a hand out to her in invitation. “Come here, good girl.”
She moved to stand between his legs, then he guided her to perch precariously on his thigh, his arms wrapped loosely around her waist. Bralix took a moment to savour the feel of her on his lap before Emery spoke.
“Samulin, are you okay?”
She didn’t answer immediately. “I’m scared and confused half the time, but yeah, I’m okay.”
Phyrax stood, and Bralix felt Samulin shrink into him. “Bralix,” he grunted and nodded in the direction of the door. “I think it’s time to leave the females alone to talk.”
Bralix hesitated, his arms tightening around Samulin involuntarily.
“Now, Bralix,” Phyrax snapped, then softened. “Let her asks questions. She can’t choose you, if you don’t let her go.”
With a last sigh he picked her up off his lap and set her on her feet so that he could stand. He gave her a last hug, then followed his brother out of Phyrax’s quarters.
CHAPTER NINE
Samulin stared after Bralix in confusion, her heart beating a mile a minute.
“Hey,” Emery said softly. “They’re just going to Bralix’s room to give us some privacy; Phyrax thought you might need someone to talk to. She patted the duvet. “Come, make yourself comfortable.”
With a last glance to the door, Samulin climbed on the bed beside the other woman, wrapping her duvet tightly around herself like a hug.
And I could really use a hug.
“You know, living with Phyrax took some getting used to.” Emery smiled softly. “Of course, there is the culture gap, and the language gap, of course. That, and I wasn’t here by my own free will, at first.”
“So you were also kidnapped?”
Emery nodded. “Yeah—he put me to sleep and wheeled me right out of the hospital. I woke up strapped to the bed in the cargo hold.”
“So we’re both trapped?”
