She let out a breath, closing her eyes for a moment.
"Good," she murmured, shoulders dropping.The tension that had been radiating off her seemed to drain away, replaced by something softer.
He blinked.Whatever he’d expected, it hadn’t been that."Good?"
"Yes.Good."She wrapped her arms around herself, the silk rustling."Because everyone else here looks at me like I'm either a goddess or a bloody bomb or something.Thyaar is nice, but he treats me like...like… Whereas you..."
Looking up at him, she met his gaze squarely."You look at me like I'm real.Like I’m a person.You know?”
Something deep in his chest cracked open.Draanth.
She had no idea.She thought he was seeing her as a person?She wasn’t a person, not to him.Instead, she was the center of the universe.She was the only thing that mattered.He saw her with a hunger that would terrify her if she knew the depth of it.
"Youarereal, Your Grace.You are a person,” he said, his voice controlled.“But you are in danger.The Emperor believes the shuttle malfunction was sabotage."
Her eyes widened."You mean...someone tried to kill me?"
"Or take you.We don't know."He shifted his stance, settling into a more at-ease posture.It was fake.He didn’t feel at ease at all.He never did around her."That is why I am here.To ensure they do not get a second chance."
"Oh."She looked down at the floor."That's...comforting.I guess?”
"I will not let anything happen to you."The vow slipped out before he could stop it.It was true.It was the truest thing he had ever said."I will burn this station to ash before I let anyone harm you."
She looked up again, startled by the intensity in his tone.
For a second, neither of them moved.He saw the pulse fluttering in her throat.He smelled the change in her scent… not fear, something warmer.A note that made his blood heat.
"I believe you," she whispered and took a step closer.Just one.But it brought her inside his guard."Thank you, Raaevik."
She used his name.Not his rank.Just his name.The sound of it on her tongue almost shattered his composure.He had to clench his jaw so hard his teeth ached to keep from groaning.
He was in hell.He was in heaven.And he was absolutely, completely screwed.
"It is my duty," he rasped, stepping back.He had to retreat.Had to put distance between them before he did something stupid."I will...take up my post.Outside."
"Oh.Right.Of course."She bit her lip, her expression crumpling.
That look nearly undid him.
"If you need anything," he said, backing toward the door, "call."
"I will."
He turned and walked out.It was the hardest thing he had ever done.Harder than his warrior trials.Harder than his first kill.Once in the corridor, he hit the lock panel and the door slid shut, sealing her inside.
Away from him.Safe.
Leaning back against the cool metal of the doorframe, he tipped his head back and stared at the ceiling.Then let out a shuddering breath.He was going to be here every night.Knowing she was just a few inches of metal away.
Mine.The feeling settled, warm and certain.She'd stepped inside his guard and said his name like it meant something to her.She had to feel this pull, too.Surely?
He pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes and breathed.
This was only the beginning.
