Chapter 10

10

C ovak's heart swelled with pride as he led Jesh through the corridors of the ship. He felt like a conquering hero guiding his lady to sustenance and comfort, a primal instinct that stirred something deep within his Vorrtan soul.

She was tiny compared to him, so he made sure to shorten his stride. Then he frowned to himself. She'd covered a lot of distance between escaping her captors and where he'd caught up with her. So much so that she could easily outpace him if she chose to.

He stole a glance sideways at her. She looked tiny and delicate but he had no doubt that back home, she would easily have made warlady. Vorrtan culture was, frankly, odd… but given they weren't an evolved species but a constructed one, it made sense that their culture as contradictory as they were themselves.

Once they'd been released from their bonds of slavery to the empire, lawlessness had reigned. Throw a bunch of super-soldiers onto a planet with no hierarchy and… yeah, those years probably hadn't been pretty. For anyone. Despite the fact that males outnumbered females ten to one, a matriarchal hierarchy had emerged, and the warladies had brought order and peace to their worlds… more or less. They were still Vorrtan, still primed and bred for combat, so there were wars. Just not ones that would wipe them all out anymore.

A male Vorrtan knew his place and was taught it as soon as he was physically big enough to start a fight. A male had to be strong and dominant, proving his worth through displays of power and aggression. Yet at the same time, he needed to follow orders and function as part of a war party. It didn't stop there. A male was also expected to be a proficient hunter, capable of providing for a female during her pregnancy and the vulnerable period after birth. Only then would she consider him for her harem, where he would be one of many seeing to her needs.

His lip curled slightly at the thought. He had never been built for that life. Had never wanted to share. The idea of being a number in a female's harem left a bitter taste in his mouth. He was too selfish and possessive for anything like that.

His adolescent years had marked him as different from his peers. While they dreamed of catching the eye of a powerful warlady and being chosen to join her harem, his fantasies had taken a different turn. He yearned for a female to fall in love with him, to choose him alone as her mate.

That need, that longing, had led to his banishment from home. Well, no… his fighting with other males had led to his banishment. When Emaliis, his childhood friend, had reached maturity and begun to assemble her harem, she had chosen four of his training team members over him. He hadn't taken it well. The noses of her four males had taken it even less well.

He'd had to stand in front of their clan warlady, his own mother, as the sentence was read out. He could still see the regret in her eyes as she pronounced his sentence of banishment.

He didn't regret it, though. Banishment had saved him. It had opened his eyes to the vastness of the universe beyond the hidden planets of the Vorrtan, where his people concealed themselves from the fury of the empire who had cast them off, waiting for the day when, according to the prophecies, the empire would face grave danger and call their soldiers into battle again.

"So," she asked, pulling him out of his memories and into the present. "What are you?"

He slid her a sideways glance and bit back his grin.

"I'm the medic aboard the ship," he said with a casual shrug, playing… what had Davis called it… big, dumb, and blond?

Her expression flashed with impatience, and she shook her head. The overhead lights caught the highlights in her hair, and it was all he could do not to step forward and capture some of it in his hand to see if it was as soft as it looked. That and she'd probably spread his nose across his face before he could blink.

"No," she said, her voice firm. "I meant that you're obviously not human."

He blinked and made a show of spreading his hands as if seeing his claws for the first time.

"Oh my gods," he exclaimed, his deep voice rumbling with fake distress. "I'm not! Mom lied to me."

Her eyebrows shot up, and his grin widened. In a bold move, he flashed both his fangs and claws, neither of which he was technically supposed to display off-planet. Vorrtan were supposed to masquerade as poor Latharian colony farmers when away from home.

He'd never been good at following rules. And anyway, the laws that said any Latharian finding a Vorrtan must kill them on sight were generations old. Most Lathar assumed the last of his kind had died out generations ago.

"No," he admitted. "I'm Vorrtan. Only Davis on the crew is human."

His expression creased in thought. "Actually, we didn't know he was human until just recently. We just thought…" He trailed off, waving a hand in front of his face and gesturing to his eyes. "We just thought all that was a birth defect. Didn't like to ask, you know… It would have been rude."

She nodded but didn't answer as they walked into the galley.

He hummed as he set about preparing food for her.

Exotic spices and standard ship fare mingled in the air, reminding him of countless meals with his crewmates. But he wasn't thinking about them. Instead, he felt her eyes on him as he moved about the space. Flexing deliberately, he showcased his muscular body to its best advantage. A primal part of him preened under her attention, hoping to impress this fascinating female.

"So…how many are there in your crew? What do they all do?"

Jealousy rolled through him that she was even thinking about the others. But he guessed he could understand it. She was a soldier. It was easy to see that just by looking at her, and she would be curious about her rescuers… whether they presented a threat.

He turned to face her, leaning against the counter in a pose that accentuated his broad chest and powerful arms.

"Well," he began, ticking off on his fingers, "there's Ryke, our captain. He's Latharian… looks human, definitely isn't. Tough as nails and smart as a whip. Then there's Rann, our pilot. He's Latharian too, empire I think, but I'm not sure. Best damn pilot I've ever seen. Anson's a B'Kaar… he's security aboard."

He paused, gauging her reaction. Her face remained neutral, but he could see the cogs working behind her eyes as she absorbed everything he told her.

"Davis is our engineer," he continued. "Human, as I mentioned, but fits in like he was born to be here. And then there's me, of course. Medic extraordinaire and devastatingly handsome Vorrtan at your service." He gave an exaggerated bow, drawing a small smile from her that made his heart skip a beat.

Turning back to the food before it had chance to burn, he asked over his shoulder, "Any dietary requirements I should know about?"

"What do you mean? I'm human, so I can eat whatever this Davis can eat. Can't I?"

He froze for a second as he realized his mistake. She didn't know that she wasn't human…. He needed to be careful.

"Of course, of course," he replied, his mind racing.

"But I'm a cyborg as well," she said, and he heard the worry creeping into her voice. "Should I have been eating at all, or do I need to plug myself into a wall socket or something?"

He turned, his heart aching at the sudden lost look on her face. Abandoning the cooking, he crossed the space between them, resisting the urge to gather her in his arms and comfort her.

"Hey, it's okay," he said softly trying to reassure her. "You're fine. I promise. If you couldn't or shouldn't eat, Zero would have told me to avoid it. Your body clearly needs sustenance, cyborg components or not."

Relief washed over her features, but then she frowned.

"Who is Zero?"

He met her gaze.

"You called him Dael before," he explained in a low rumble. "We think he's like you, but we need to get you somewhere with better equipment so I can scan you without—" he cut himself off suddenly, not wanting to alarm her.

"Without what?" she pressed sharply.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair and scooping it off his face. "Without you potentially blowing up the ship."

Her eyes widened. "What do you mean, blowing up the ship?"

He held up his hands in a soothing gesture. "It's okay. It's okay," he said quickly. "Your onboard system warned me of the danger before it could happen. That's why we need better equipment…to understand you fully without any risks."

She watched him for long moments but then nodded, satisfied with whatever she saw in his eyes. Feeling like he'd passed some kind of test, he returned to the food, grateful for the distraction.

A few minutes later, he placed a large plate in front of her. It held a juicy burger with a side of crispy fries, a human dish he had grown to love since Davis had introduced them to it.

He watched her take the first bite, his chest swelling with pride as she hummed in appreciation.

"This is really good," she said between bites. "I didn't realize how hungry I was."

He beamed at the compliment. "Glad you like it," he replied, sliding into the seat opposite her. "It's one of my favorite human dishes."

As they ate, a comfortable silence fell between them. He found himself studying her, noting the graceful way she moved, the subtle play of muscles beneath her skin. She was unlike any female he had ever encountered.

"You mentioned getting me somewhere with better equipment," she said, breaking the silence. "Where exactly are we going?"

He leaned back in his chair, his meal forgotten for the moment.

"We have a contact," he explained, choosing his words carefully. "Someone who can provide us with access to advanced medical facilities. It's not far, and it's discreet. We need to keep you safe while we figure out exactly what's going on with your unique physiology."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "And what if I don't want to go? What if I want to leave once we dock somewhere?"

The question hit him like a physical blow. The thought of her leaving, of losing her so soon after finding her, made his chest tighten painfully. But he couldn't force her to stay. That wasn't the kind of male he was or the kind of person he wanted to be.

"Then you'd be free to go," he said softly. "We rescued you, Jesh. We didn't capture you. You're not our prisoner."

Surprise flickered across her face followed by an emotion he couldn't identify. "I see."

He leaned forward, his massive frame dwarfing the table between them.

"But I really hope you'll stay," he said, his voice low and intense. "Not just because we want to help you understand who and what you are, but because…"

"Because what?" she prompted, her grey eyes locked on his.

He took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. Make or break time, but he'd never been good at hiding his feelings.

"Because I feel a connection to you," he admitted. "Something I've never felt before. And I'd like the chance to explore it, if you're willing."

The words hung in the air between them, and for a moment he thought he'd blown it. That she didn't want anything to do with him. His heart plummeted to his boots. He should have just kept his damn fool mouth shut.

"I don't know what I feel. Everything is so confusing right now. But…" She met his gaze, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I think I'd like to stay. At least for now."

Relief flooded through him, so intense he had to resist the urge to leap across the table and gather her in his arms. Instead, he returned her smile, pouring all of his emotions into that simple expression.

"I'm glad," he said softly. "We'll figure this out. I promise. For now, eat. You need to regain your strength."

As they finished their meal, Covak felt a sense of rightness settle over him; his female was eating food he had prepared for her, thus proving he was a worthy male and would be a good mate.

It was an excellent start to their courting.

The rich aroma of the meal Covak had cooked mixed in the air and covered the metallic scent of recycled air from the environmental systems. She was used to that underlying smell, which reminded her of something… but that led to an empty place in her head where a memory should be. She was too tired to chase it, though, and Jesh's eyelids drooped as she finished the last bite. The vibrations of the ship's engines hummed up through her feet, a soothing lullaby threatening to pull her into sleep right there at the table.

Worry jolted through her, laser fast. Had he drugged her food? No, that was ridiculous. She shook her head to clear the fog of exhaustion. Why would he do that? He and his crew had saved… and she'd been unconscious in their medbay for hours. They would have drugged her there if they'd wanted to, surely?

Trust, but verify. The thought came from the back of her mind, the place that was all darkness and lost memories. She closed her eyes and reached out to the voice in her head. Her onboard. Analyze ingested substances .

A moment later, a list of ingredients scrolled across her mind's eye. All substances within normal parameters. Nutritional content optimal for replenishing depleted stores.

She let out a breath in relief, and the tension in her shoulders eased, replaced by a wave of fatigue that threatened to drag her under.

Covak's deep, rumbling voice cut through her exhaustion. "Tired, little one?"

She looked up and met his gaze. His eyes, alien yet familiar, were warm and open. Either he was an excellent actor, or he was just what he seemed to be—someone who wanted to help her. A wide yawn escaped her before she could respond. She clapped her hand over her mouth, blushing slightly.

The big alien chuckled, the sound whispering along her skin. Seriously, how could he make a chuckle feel like he was running his fingertips up her arm? "I'll take that as a yes. Come on. I've arranged quarters for you."

She stood but her legs wobbled. Instantly, he was there, reaching out a huge hand to steady her elbow. She bit her lip as his touch sent a jolt of electricity through her. She looked up at him, suddenly aware of how close he stood, how his scent—a mix of something spicy and distinctly alien—enveloped her.

"Your quarters are next to mine," he said, his voice dropping low. The rumble of his words vibrated through her, sending a shiver down her spine.

She looked up at him, her exhaustion forgotten for the moment. His eyes were filled with a warm darkness that made her breath catch in her throat. Was he flirting with her?

"Is that so?" she asked, her voice coming out huskier than she intended.

A smile played at the corners of his lips, revealing a hint of sharp teeth. "Just in case you need anything," he said, holding her gaze.

The air thickened, charged with an electricity that arced between them. She swallowed hard, very aware of his massive frame next to her and the heat radiating off his body.

"Anything?"

His smile widened, a low chuckle escaping him. The sound sent a shiver down her spine.

"Anything at all," he confirmed, his voice a near-growl that made her toes curl as he glanced down her body. It wasn't the glances she was used to, from doctors assessing a patient, or, worse, when they'd looked at her like a machine that was malfunctioning. This was the gaze of a man who saw a woman he wanted.

They walked in silence for a moment, the only sound the soft thud of their footsteps on the metal floor. Her mind raced, torn between exhaustion and awareness of the alien man beside her.

He'd put her next to him. And she hadn't seen any of the other crew since he'd snarled at them when she'd been freaking out in the medbay.

"You know," she said after a moment, "you can't keep me hidden away forever."

As soon as the words left her mouth, his expression shifted. The playful glint in his eyes cut off, replaced by something more intense, more… primal.

Shit… if he could keep her to himself, he absolutely would.

The thought should have alarmed her. Instead, it sent a thrill of excitement and heat coursing through her veins, chasing away her fatigue. "I don't need protecting; I'm a?—"

She frowned as the words died on her tongue. Whatever she had been about to say was gone like mist in the morning sun. There was nothing but emptiness where the knowledge should have been.

He moved closer, curiosity and anticipation written across his features. "You're a what?" he asked. "What were you about to say?"

She shook her head, looking up at him mutely. She reached out to her onboard again, desperately seeking answers, too disconcerted to even form a proper query. Somehow it picked up the question from her jumbled thoughts and answered her.

Data storage inaccessible. Subroutine corrupted.

"I… don't know. It…" She waved at her head to indicate the onboard. "Says the data storage subroutine is corrupted. That's more than I've been getting from it before," she admitted, stifling another yawn.

Covak's expression hardened into determination. "That's it. No more worrying about anything until you've had a good night's sleep. You're dead on your feet, little one."

She didn't argue as he led her through the ship up to a deck above where they had been.

As they approached a door that Jesh assumed led to her new quarters, a figure emerged from around a corner, and she straightened up. Something about him had made her onboard take notice, but she wasn't sure what.

Ping code not answered, the voice said. Unknown class.

"Anson," Covak said. "This is Jesh."

She looked at the man in front of her. He looked human at first glance, but as she focused, she saw something else. Her vision shifted, enhancing and analyzing what she saw. She blinked in surprise as lines of light appeared beneath his skin, like circuitry buried inside it.

Anson's eyes widened as his gaze focused on her.

"You're not like me," she said, the words tumbling out before she could stop them.

He shook his head, a small frown creasing his brow. "I'm B'Kaar," he said, his voice low and rough. "We are cyborgs, in a way, but we use exoskeletons instead of internal implants."

She took a small step forward, fascination overriding her exhaustion. "Do you have some kind of circuitry implanted?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

He nodded. "We call it ke'lath . It powers our exoskeletons."

Biological markers detected, the voice said, but she ignored it. Of course she was detecting biomarkers. Anson was a living, breathing being, not a machine.

She opened her mouth to ask another question, but Covak cut her off.

"It's late, Anson," he said, his voice gruff. "We should let Jesh get some rest."

Without waiting for a response, Covak placed a hand on the small of her back and guided her toward a nearby door. The warmth of his touch seeped through her clothes and warmed her skin, sending a shiver up her spine.

They stepped through, and as the door slid shut behind them, she whirled around.

"That was rude," she said, frowning up at him. "Anson seemed nice. Why did you?—"

The words died in her throat as she suddenly became aware of just how close he was. In the confined space of the room, his massive frame seemed to fill every available inch. The heat radiated off his body, beating against her skin.

Their eyes met, and the air between them was alive with electricity. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath catching in her throat, and she leaned toward him, like she was drawn by an invisible force she couldn't name.

His gaze dropped to her lips, and for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her. Her eyes fluttered half-closed, anticipation coiling in her stomach.

But then he cleared his throat, the sound shattering the moment like glass, and took a step back. She bit back her pout of disappointment, feeling the loss of his warmth like a physical ache.

"The shower and facilities are through there," Covak said, pointing to a small door in the corner and avoiding her gaze. "And here's the comms panel. If you need anything—anything at all—just call me. Okay?"

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Her skin still tingled where he had touched her, her lips still anticipating a kiss that hadn't come.

"Good night, Jesh," he said softly. "Sleep well."

And then he was gone, the door sliding shut behind him with a soft hiss.

She stared at the closed door. Confusion and disappointment warred within her. Had she imagined that little moment between them? The tension, the anticipation, the way he'd looked at her… Why had he backed off?

Her stomach sank. Was it because he knew what she was? Because she wasn't a real being?

Shaking her head, she made her way to the shower. The hot water sluiced over her body, and it didn't take her long to wash away the grime and sweat of the day. As she stepped out, wrapping herself in a soft towel, her gaze fell on the bed.

A clean T-shirt lay folded on the covers, far too large to belong to anyone but Covak. Warmth filled her chest. He had left her his clothes to sleep in.

She slipped the shirt over her head and his scent enveloped her. It comforted her, like being wrapped in his arms. Crawling onto the bed, she sighed at the feel of the soft sheets against her skin. She closed her eyes and gave in to the bone-deep exhaustion that plagued every cell in her body.

In the quiet of her new quarters, surrounded by the faint scent of Covak that clung to his borrowed shirt, she slept more peacefully than she had in… well, longer than the eight days she could remember.