6. Tan

6

Tan

The first rule of command is not to promise what one cannot deliver. But how am I to tell Skylar's sister that she lives when the barrier between us and Zone 4 blocks all communication? Or at least, that is what Ehan Specialist Rui'lashik tells me after a tenday of attempts.

"Forget communication. Send the female back," Ehan Prime Ano'Couvray, my second in command and closest friend, admonishes me. We are sparring. The pinprick bronze scales of Ano's face are dark with exertion, his ears flat to his head as he slashes a claw at my middle. I twist away from the blow, wings tight to my back as I swipe my tail around, narrowly missing his legs .

Ano and I have been friends and rivals all our lives. Our families are from the same village, and our fathers lifelong friends. Both are dead.

I pivot, driving the sparring rod into his flank. Ano spins around and out of range, lashing his tail like a whip. The tip hits the flesh at the top of my thigh, a quick sting, but nothing serious.

"It is unwise," I say, crouching as I assess his stance. "That pod can hold perhaps a tenday of air and supplies, and their side of the mines is not densely populated," I explain. "We must establish a line of communication."

This is valid. It is also an excuse. I have no intention of sending Skylar off before I have completed my courtship and gained her favor. But I cannot admit that. Not to her and not to Ano, even as he is my closest ally on this ship.

"You have put our communications and engineering specialists on deciphering their systems. It would be easier if you were to ask the female. She cannot wish to stay here indefinitely."

"I need more time to assess her disposition," I say. The moment the words are out, I know Ano will pounce.

"Ah. Disposition is it?" He charges, and I leap over him. I land awkwardly on my back. Before I can twist free, Ano has pinned my arms with his knees and my tail with his and is holding the sparring stick at my neck. A mock kill. His wings spread in triumph. "It is not her disposition you want to assess," he hisses, pressing the stick in a touch harder. "Though why you will not tell her you desire her is beyond me. Or better, take her to your furs. You are Raiva."

In that moment, I am back at my father's house, him telling me of my promised mate and how she will, for certain, relish the binding. My pride, my assumptions, led to two deaths. I will not make the same mistake with Skylar.

"I am courting her," I say. Each meal I give her, I serve with my own hands. I carve our protein with my own claws and have her take it between her oddly full lips. I tell her stories of my victories, so she knows me capable of protecting her. Or elevating her as our ship, the Starshadow, rises.

And I believe she is responding. She smiles at me with her full teeth. And she has not taken on the scent of distress for several daymarks. "She is open to my advances." I add, putting more confidence in my tone than I feel. It is difficult to know her deeper emotions by words and scent alone. While Skylar, in this form, is my mate and I would not change that, it would be easier for both of us if she had a tail with which to express her desire.

"Then claim her. Personally. Or send her home. But as bounty, she is not yours alone. You are her warden in the ship's name, and any other male is also free to make a claim."

Rage boils up inside of me, and I kick up and out, dislodging Ano's grip. I roll up and then over him, pinning him with my legs and body. I press a claw into his neck to show my ire. "They dare not."

Ano laughs. "You are a fool if you believe that, Raiva. She is not bonded to you. She is not even Asheraah. Send her to the refugee quarters if you do not desire her yourself. Or bring her to your bed."

"I will not act in haste."

"As it is written in the Scrolls, ‘To not act is also an action.' "

"I am aware," I grit out.

"Good. Now, either strangle me or get off so we can spar again."

I rise and kneel, holding out a hand to help him stand. "You irritate me, Ehan Prime," I say, but only to see him smile.

He takes my hand, grunts as I pull him to standing. "Xil'Aktar should have told you."

"Excuse me?"

"If she wanted another, she should have made that clear."

"Perhaps she did, and I was too blinded by my own desires to understand."