Page 235 of Commander’s Mate

“That usually means wrong said politely.”

“No. You reduced total transit time by eleven percent.”

I blinked.

“I delivered mail,” I said.

“Yes. Along a fixed route involving addresses, priority items, exceptions, weather, deadlines, and people who become irrational when a package is late.”

“That is disturbingly accurate.”

“You also built the registry.”

“With help.”

“Command is always with help.”

I was still thinking about that when Zared found me at the end of the work period.

He had been trying very hard not to hover since we completed the bond.

Very hard by Zared standards meant he only appeared twice during a ten-hour shift.

“You are limping,” he said.

“Training.”

“I could tell Namotu to reduce—”

“No.”

He stopped.

“I was going to say reduce the length of tomorrow’s session if your joints are injured.”

“Oh.”

“Did you think I meant make it easier because you are my mate?”

“Yes.”

His mouth tightened. “That is annoying.”

“Welcome to marriage.”

The translator hesitated on the Earth word.

He understood anyway.

We walked toward the mess together. He did not take my hand until I reached for his.

That tiny habit had become one of my favorite things about him.

At dinner, Scarlet announced that Pyrr had volunteered to help with her weapons training.

“Volunteered,” Zoe repeated.

“He is an officer. Apparently, officers volunteer other people all the time, so I told him he could volunteer himself.”