“Sir, what do you request?”
“Nothing, MONA. Just talking about you to Zariah.”
“Understood. How are you both feeling?”
Elix gives me a knowing look as he disconnects the vial and places it in a cleansing bin. “You can read our biostats MONA. You don’t need audible confirmation.”
“Then may I suggest you both get patched up and rest until we drop? I will keep us on course per ABR instructions. But you both have elevated levels of cortisol. Zariah’s heart rate suggests exhaustion, and Elix, your core —”
“Stop.” Elix glares at a nearby screen. “I know.”
MONA quiets.
“Something wrong?” I ask, reaching for the side I know he’s injured.
“I’ll live.” Elix cradles me in his arms and carries me through a bedroom into an adjoining bathroom. There isn’t much in the quarters except a few basic supplies. His ship is like mine: metal trusses, raw-boned, with few items of comfort. His, to my delight, has larger windows in each room, and most of his doors have high-tech biometric locks.
“Is this yours?” I ask.
“No. Guest quarters just have a bigger bath. I housed the king of Ferrim here with his new bride. I reserve this space for royal clients.”
“I’m not royal.”
“You’re more important than royalty to me.” He walks into the shower stall and settles me on the textured floor, then places the soap beside me and turns on the water.
Heated spray rains over me as Elix turns away, pulls a towel down from a cabinet, and hangs it over the bar on the door.
I thank him as he turns to leave, wishing he’d stay. I want to return some of the care he has given me. But I know I’m too weak by the cold weight of every limb. Still, I would try to clean his wounds if he’d let me. He’s done so much. I’ve done nothing but be a problem.
I hope I haven’t disrespected him on accident, thinking he was just some dude from Earth.
When I try to get out of my uniform, I find myself stuck. I fight with the sticky fabric, but it only gets worse in the streaming water.
Steam fills the room. Hot water pools under my body. My frustration grows, but I simply don’t have the energy.
“Elix?”
He eases back into the door, averting his eyes.
“I am genuinely stuck.” I’ve only managed to get one shoulder out of the torn side before reaching my limit.
“I don’t want to disrespect you,” he says.
“Please. I want a proper bath, not through my clothes like one of my father’s—” I stop because I don’t want to remember it anymore.
Elix puffs out a breath, walks slowly to where the water sprays, and kneels beside me. His strong fingers work me out of my race suit by feel. He won’t look directly at me. The moment my breasts pop free of my top, he inhales sharply and twists his neck like he’s straining hard to keep his control.
“You said you have a change of clothes, right?” I ask.
“Only my stuff.”
He’s close enough that I can touch him, and the hot water gives me some strength. I reach up and run my wet fingers over a dark cut on his jaw. It’s a weak attempt to him, I’m sure. But I use all the strength in my arm to guide him closer.
“Let me help you.”
He stumbles like he can’t process what’s happening. Elix plants a hand in a puddle beside my hips to steady himself. His eyes widen. Their gold brightens as his gaze locks on mine with such surprise and interest that I have no doubt he wants me.
“Thank you for saving me,” I offer.
