“She will stay in my quarters.”
The offer emerged before he had a chance to consider it, but it immediately felt right despite Bombaya’s raised eyebrow.
“I can’t take your quarters,” she protested.
“You can and you will. They are the most secure location on this vessel, and they have adequate space for you and the children.”
“But where will you sleep?”
“There are crew quarters available.” Not that he had an intention of using them. If he did require sleep, the couch in his ready room was an adequate, if uncomfortable, solution.
She looked like she wanted to argue, but exhaustion won out. Her shoulders sagged and she nodded.
“Thank you.”
Bombaya finished his examination and moved to check on Anya. The pink mist had cleared from the dome, and her breathing already sounded easier. The medic smiled as he studied the readouts.
“The infection is responding well to treatment. She should wake within the hour, and I expect a full recovery within three days.”
Relief transformed Corinne’s face. He’d found her attractive before, despite the fear and exhaustion, but happiness made her so beautiful that his breath caught. Then she glanced at Mikoz, still sleeping peacefully in his arms, and the fear returned.
“Can I have him back now?”
He should hand the child over immediately. Every second he held this tiny life felt like tempting fate, inviting another loss he couldn’t survive. But Mikoz was warm and solid and real, and some broken part of him didn’t want to let go.
Still, he carefully transferred the infant back to her, making sure to avoid touching her skin this time. She settled him against her chest, and the tension in her shoulders eased slightly.
“I’ll arrange for the quarters,” he said, stepping back to put distance between them. “Bombaya will transport you when he feels it’s safe.”
“Can’t we go now? This reminds me too much of the Vedeckian ship.”
Bombaya opened his mouth to protest, but he cut him off with a gesture.
“Very well. But you will eat first, and you will accept assistance if needed.”
“I can walk on my own.”
Stubborn. He recognized the trait because he shared it. “I did not suggest otherwise. But if you collapse in my corridors, I will carry you, and you will find that deeply undignified.”
Her mouth twitched, almost a smile. “Fine. I’ll eat.”
Bombaya provided her with a liquid nutritional supplement, while he pretended to review something on his comm unit. In reality, he was trying to determine what to do next. The child was Cire which meant that the Cire Council would need to be notified. They would want the infant brought to Ciresia, raised among his own people, taught their ways and traditions.
But Corinne had claimed him as hers. And she clearly loved him and had protected him at the cost of her own health and safety. What right did he have to tear them apart?
What right did I have to let Lira die?He pushed the thought away viciously.
Bombaya cleared Anya for transport, and they made their way through the corridors toward his quarters. Corinne walked beside him, the cloak once more covering the sleeping infant, and the hover-stretcher with Anya floating between them. His crew was professional enough to keep their expressions neutral, but he could see the questions in their eyes. Taking them to his quarters would generate rumors, but he had more important concerns.
His quarters were in the command section, larger and more comfortable than standard crew accommodations. The main room held a desk, a sitting area, and access to a small galley. The sleeping chamber beyond had a bed large enough for his body and a private sanitary unit.
She paused in the doorway and bit her lip.
“You really don’t need to do this.”
“Yes I do.”
She looked like she wanted to protest again, but Bombaya was already transferring Anya from the stretcher to the bed. The girl stirred but didn’t wake, her small hand curling against the pillow.
