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“I think I’ve heard enough,” she said quietly.
And there it was; it was coming. She was going to say the words that would destroy him. “Can I hold you one last time?” He clawed the couch, shoving down the dark monster that threatened to rip out from his skin.
“No.”
Stars! Why had he thought he could hold it together long enough to do the mission? He wasn’t even sure he could survive long enough to get to the door. If he ran now, maybe he could reach Kean’s door in time to warn him, have him protect—
“You can’t hold me one last time because this won’t be the last time,” Delaney said. “You claim it’s impossible to make up for the things you’d done, yet you try anyway, hiding it under the guise of revenge. And don’t deny it. There are plenty of other ways to get at the Dominion, but you only choose the ones that benefit the people you’ve wronged. And you do it under Uzzar’s name, so I know it’s not only to clear yours.”
Ulrek was silent as he processed the words. They almost didn’t make sense at first.
“You want people to think you don’t have a heart. But I see you, Ulrek. Youdohave a heart. But I get it; you’re no typical hero, but you’ve never pretended to be one. There’s a saying that heroes would sacrifice you to save the world, but a villain would sacrifice the world to save you. You’d sacrifice it all for the people you love and care about.
“I know some people will say that’s not enough. That youhaveto regret it all. That continuing to choose your family, because your crewisyour family, over the greater good means you haven’t learned your lesson. But screw those people. I’d do the same for those I love, and maybe it means I’m a bad person too, but I don’t care. It’s enough for me. I know I’m only one person, but I forgive you, Ulrek.”
Delaney took a shaky breath. “I’m not saying you’re off the hook. And I’m not agreeing to the mate thing yet. Humans don’t just fall in love and say ‘I do’ like that.” She snapped her fingers. “I need time. But I’m willing to work with you and see where things go. Okay? We can date.” She made a face. “That sounds wrong. Let me try again. We cantest compatibility.”
Ulrek was able to breathe again. Testing compatibility was a tentative yes, and in this case, the mate bond already existed, so Ulrek knew they were compatible. Elation filled him, and he reached for her, pulling her into his arms.
“Thank you.” He closed his eyes and thanked the Stars for the wonder they’d given him.
“But revert to your old ways, and I’ll be gone so fast.”
“I understand.”
Delaney blew out a breath as if she’d been the one waiting on the decision.
“It started off as just revenge,” Ulrek admitted. “But as I spent more time out here, it changed. I believe my crew feels the same. But seriously, if I’d done those things in my own name, everyone would be making bets on what my ulterior motives were.”
Delaney chuckled. “Yes. Yes, they would.”
They sat there in each other’s arms for a long moment before Ulrek carried her to his bedroom and set her on the bed.
“Ooh, this is nice,” Delaney purred as she luxuriated on the silky sheets.”We need to get a set of these for the Revenge.”
“Does that mean you’re moving into my quarters?” Ulrek tore off his clothes and tossed them on the bench at the foot of the bed.
“Maybe. It depends.”
“On what?” He sat down on the edge.
“On how well you convince me now.” Then she was tossing her leg over him, straddling him, and pressing her lips to his.
Ulrek wanted to roar in triumph.
This was the first time she’d initiated the wonderful human ritual of kissing with him. He kissed her back, hungry and greedy for everything he could get from her. He loved a good chase and struggle, but this was wonderful too.
She moved on him, her body pressing to his in all the right places. By the end of the kiss, he was hard and ready for her. He reached for her underwear, and it was already soaked. Too impatient, he ripped it from her.
Then he was thrusting into his mate and taking her to the stars.
Chapter 26
Delaney
Delaney, Gavin, and Tahra stepped out of the transport and into the sales yard of Ship’s Alive, the purveyor of all things that grew in space. Unlike the greenhouses on Reka 5, which focused on everything needed in the colony, Ship’s Alive focused strictly on plants and animals of the spacefaring variety that traveled well and had use on a ship.
A Tallean female with her hair in a knot greeted them at the door. “Have a seat. We’re just getting the last of your order put together. The owner will be out soon.” Then she went back to work tending to the tepins.
