8. Tan

8

Tan

The Starshadow passes over the burnt-out wreck of the family trader vessel Tch'Dara, our ship's sensors picking up no trace of life signs or signals beyond the lingering pulse of its final distress call.

"Kohath," Ehan Subcommander Quayl'Gar'dee'al, my second, says, his tone grim. He is large, even for an Asheraah male, a formidable warrior with scales dyed in the bronze tones of command staff. "Looks like they were here long enough to strip the wreck. Permission to send a boarding crew to check for remains. And security data, if any, survived."

The Tch'Dara is well off the established trade routes, which is why it has taken so long for us to receive their cry for help. Flying solo as a small trader is a risk, but Kohath raids are rare, this close to Zone 4. The Thrax Kohath have a healthy wariness for the minefield and the semi-regular Asheraah patrols.

Rescuing Skylar and my desire to stay close to the neutral zone for Skylar's sake had delayed our patrol. Which puts the responsibility for this on my shoulders.

"Send the boarding party," I order, knowing it is too little and far too late.

The Ehan Subcommander relays the order to the Masg, performing his duties to the letter, but I can tell by his stature, and the slow, steady swipe of his tail, the way the scales along the edges of his cheek ridges stand upright, that he is disturbed. And angry.

"We have not had a Thrax Kohath incursion this bold in a year," the Ehan Subcommander notes. "And suspiciously close to the arrival of our new bounty."

"One has nothing to do with the other, Subcommander," I snap. I don't like Quayl. I never have, and if I was not so unbalanced from Skylar's ‘kiss' and this incursion, I would have better control of my reactions .

"I did not say they did," Quayl returns. "But the female has been a distraction." His tone is mild. Not a direct challenge to my authority, but a criticism nonetheless. And one I cannot combat because Skylar has been a distraction.

The brush of her soft fingers over my wings, the heat of her breath against my lips, all of it tears my attention from my duty in a way I cannot deny any more than I can deny Skylar or the mating bond I feel growing between us. I had not thought it so obvious. But if my third in command is saying this on the bridge, in front of the other Aegiseers, how sharp are the crew's criticisms of me behind my back?

I will speak with Ano. Find out how far the discontent on my ship has spread.

We retrieve what's left of the Tch'Dara's data drive and, thanks be to the Five Deities, the family registry with the genetic memories of the crew still intact to return to their remaining relatives, or lacking those, the temple of the Goddess of Rebirth. As per protocol, we will quarantine the boarding party for the next twelve hourmarks and then subject them to a full medical scan before allowing them to return to the ship's population. Once they are on board, we scuttle the Tch'Dara's remains in a flare of fire, soon devoured by darkness.

I stop by Ano's quarters after I leave the bridge. It is later than usual, and Ano is in his sleeping clothes, a dark robe wrapped tight around him as he sits at his desk.

He gestures for me to sit.

"Ehan Subcommander Quayl hinted today I am too distracted by the human female to do my duty to the ship," I say, cutting straight to the point. "Is this a common view?"

Ano huffs out a breath, not quite a sigh, not quite a growl. His tail thumps against the ground once, his wings lifting a fraction before he lowers them again. "They want things settled," he says. "And since you have not claimed her, others would like the chance."

"Skylar is mine."

"Currently she is the claim of the ship and in your care as Raiva."

It is a fine distinction, and one I dislike, though I trust Ano to tell me the truth. Even when I hate it. That is why he is my second. "Skylar will be mine. "

"Then you had best get on it, Tan. For some, the scent of an available female is a temptation. But they are not foolish enough to risk your temper. For one like Ehan Subcommander Quayl, though, the female offers an opportunity. He wants to be Raiva. And he's been getting more obvious about it on this tour. Not quite insubordinate, but close. Walk with care. And I will shield you as I can. As always."

We clasp forearms and I leave.

My thoughts are a whirl. It is their right to challenge, but as Raiva, I must judge who is worthy. Of course, I will deem none worthy. I will rip their throat out if they step up and try to claim that position, even if it is their right. I will rip their heart out and feed it to the crizans who scurry in the depths of this vessel.

But is that just my pride speaking? The same pride which caused me to kill Xil'Aktar's preferred mate in front of her?

I do not know, but the human female offered me breath and heat. Ano is right. I must press my suit and find out, once and for all, if Skylar will accept my claim. And if not, I will, by my honor, let her go. No matter if it breaks me.