Chapter 24

I stepped out of my room and spotted Lucy on her back, tail twitching and paws in the air with her claws extended. Kal moved closer to her doughy belly, and I said, “Don’t.”

Lucy seized Kal’s arm, rabbit kicking him. He hissed. I was across the room grabbing his hand to examine the scratches before I’d thought about it. Shallow cuts marred his muscular arm, leaking a minuscule amount of green blood. Kal’s scales must be tougher than my skin because Lucy’s claws were sharp.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, but why did she attack me?” Kal asked as Lucy reassumed her earlier position.

“I don’t know. She’s done it since I got her.”

“I’ve petted her stomach before.”

“She likes her belly touched, except when she lies like that.” I brushed his scales. “Are sure you’re alright? I can take you to the medbay on my way to the gym.”

His forehead creased. “Why are you going to the gym?”

“Urgg talked me into going to blaster practice. Apparently, you guys have a shooting range in your gym.” I shrugged.

Kal’s lips pressed together, and I knew he was trying to keep from making an overprotective and completely unnecessary remark.

“I will be fine. I want to make some friends.” My voice came out in a rush as I wrung my hands.

“I worry.”

“I would’ve never guessed.”

Kal rubbed his forehead and nose against my jaw. “Maybe you can join my combat practice?”

“Sure.”

“Truly?”

“Yeah.” I moved toward the door. “Wash the scratches, please.”

“I will.”

I stepped into the gym, nervous, which wasn’t shocking. Being nervous was basically my normal state of existence. The gym was nothing like I expected. Treadmills and weight benches were nowhere to be seen. The front of the room had three separate mats for grappling, I assumed. On the back wall were ring targets similar to the ones found on Earth. The difference, these weren’t paper. The five targets were black squares with glowing blue rings, making me think they connected to NAID.

Maybe they had a separate gym for weight training and stuff? For all I knew, they had several gyms. Pretty much everyone here was ridiculously buff.

Urgg stood in the center. Their hulking green form was clad in black leathers. They smacked a crewman’s back and sent him sprawling. Urgg immediately began to apologize and helped up the drakcol man with bright yellow hair.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one overwhelmed by Urgg’s enthusiasm.

My muscles felt heavy and tight as I took a single step back toward the door. Fighting through the curling unease, I darted to Urgg’s side.

“Seth, you made it,” they said, practically shouting.

Everyone turned toward me, and I wished the floor would swallow me whole. “Yep. I’m here.”

“It’ll be so much fun.”

“I’ve never fired a gun before.”

“Not a problem. Commander Monqilcolnen will teach you.”

The serious commander strode around the targets, checking something on his tablet.

“I didn’t realize he was teaching the class,” I commented.

“Is that a problem?”

“No,” I replied. He was Kal’s cousin, but I hadn’t spoken to him.

I stood next to Urgg for the next few minutes as they chatted with different officers and crewmembers, completely at ease. Urgg introduced me to a slim man I recognized with bubblegum pink hair and lavender scales with accents of magenta. Ensign Wyn had witnessed my embarrassing moment on the elevator.

“Urgg has mentioned inviting you several times. I’m glad they finally did,” Wyn said, his tail moving back and forth as he fiddled with a pink stud in his earlobe.

Before I could respond, the commander called the lesson to order. He came to stand by my side and gave me a gun, demonstrating the different settings and how to properly hold it. When he was finished, he pointed to a target.

“What if I miss?” I asked. Visions of being sucked into the void of space ran through my mind.

“All of the blasters are set on the lowest level, which cannot harm the hull of the ship, but to ease your mind, NAID, please erect a shield,” he said in a patient voice.

“Yes, Commander.” A shield formed over the back wall. NAID winked at me before vanishing.

The hand holding the gun trembled, but I focused on the target and squeezed the trigger. An orange blast of light came out of the muzzle and smacked the edge of the target, not even close to the center.

The commander’s arms crossed. “Not bad. I would have placed money on you not hitting it at all. Try again.”

I, along with everyone else, practiced shooting the targets. We had to take turns because there were more people than targets. Wyn was an equally bad shot as I was. The commander corrected our postures and gave advice, never seeming rushed or upset. Despite that, Wyn and I didn’t improve.

When both Wyn and I gave way to the next group, we moved toward the empty mats, but I couldn’t take my gaze off Urgg. They decimated the targets, no matter which hand they shot from.

“Woah. Urgg is amazing,” I commented.

“They don’t have to come. Urgg usually comes to assist Commander Monqilcolnen.”

“Have to?” I asked, turning away from Urgg, who performed some type of roll, then popped up and shot the target.

His tail whipped. “Crew and officers who do not meet the basic standard testing every month have to take extra training.”

At his uncomfortable expression, I thought back to the way he never hit the center of the target. “So you didn’t meet the standard?”

“I never have since basic training. I’m a horrible shot, though I’m great in hand-to-hand combat.”

“You’re a better shot than I am.” I’d hit the target maybe once every three shots.

“You’re not one of the crew.” Wyn turned back to the group because the commander called for the next in line to step forward.

Once again, my turn came around. I didn’t do much better than the first time. The commander came to my side to correct my stance, not that it helped. Despite the fact I didn’t seem to get any better, I was having fun.

When the practice ended, Urgg draped a heavy arm over my shoulders, and I swallowed a startled yelp. Urgg said, “Me and some of the others are going to get a drink in the canteen.”

“Have fun.”

“No. I’m inviting you to come.”

My mouth opened. I didn’t have a response. I wavered, longing to return to my apartment while, at the same time, I wanted to go.

Wyn bounced on the balls of his feet, smiling encouragingly.

Shrugging, I replied, “Why not?”

Urgg released a loud belch, and then they downed another drink and banged the cup on the metal table. “I ran my knife through the beast’s stomach, spilling its guts on the red sand, and claimed its heart,” Urgg shouted, fist in the air. “Going on my knees, I presented the heart to my lovely Talvax.”

Finishing another drink, my fourth maybe, I fought back a gag. “That’s how you proposed to the captain? Covered in blood?”

“That’s the best way to do it.” They filled their cup with what tasted close to ale but was maroon. “Talvax accepted my humble offering and me with it, then ate it. Ah, it was a sight to behold. I think about it daily.”

My throat stung with bile as I fought another gag. But I ignored it and filled my cup again. “How romantic.”

“It is,” Wyn said in a loud voice that made me wince. He wiped the corner of his eyes. “Most romantic tale I’ve ever heard.”

Urgg clapped his back, and Wyn barely twitched. “He knows what it’s about.”

He peered at Urgg. “If I mated a barbarus, would they offer themselves in such a manner?”

“If they were brave,” Urgg said with an exaggerated nod. “I would give you my brother, but he’s mated.”

“Too bad,” Wyn said, sounding like he meant it.

Urgg asked me, “Are you going to ask Prince Kalvoxrencol to accept you in such a romantic way?”

I sputtered, spraying both of them. “W-what?”

“Love,” Wyn yelled, making both me and Urgg start. “It’s so beautiful.”

I blinked. Wyn had drunk the least of the three of us, but he was definitely the most affected.

Urgg said, “That it is.”

“We should drink more.” Wyn downed his cup before he broke into a song I didn’t recognize. Urgg promptly joined in, but their song was not the same one. They both grew more raucous, seeming to compete on who could sing louder. Other drakcol started to sing the same song as Wyn, but Urgg was not to be outdone. They jumped on the table, screaming their song.

I finished my drink and poured another because I was not drunk enough for this shit.

A human show played in the background, but my focus remained on the door. It was late, and Seth hadn’t come back. I’d almost pinged him, but I hadn’t because he didn’t need me to smother him.

A thump sounded moments before the door opened. Seth sagged against the frame supported by Monqilcolnen, who also held up another officer.

“My Seth,” I said, coming to his side.

He threw his arms around my neck. “Seth. No. That’s my name.” His eyebrows knitted together. “Is that my name?”

“Yes.” I looked at Monqilcolnen as I held Seth around the waist, supporting him. “What’s wrong with my mate?”

“Drunk,” he answered shortly because the other officer started to fall to the ground and Monqilcolnen had to lift him by the back of his uniform.

“Drunk?”

Seth bobbed his head. “I drank so much with Urgg and Wyn.”

“Who’s Wyn?” I asked.

The other officer, an extremely attractive man with bright pink hair, chimed in, “That’s me.”

“Thank you for bringing him back, Cousin.”

“Trust me, he and Ensign Wyn were in far less trouble than Urgg. Captain Talvax had to come and get her mate. Urgg would not stop singing at the top of their lungs or proclaiming their undying love and promising feats of valor.”

Chuckling, I held Seth closer, as he’d begun to sway dangerously. Barbarus were known for their ability to fight, drink, and party. Urgg was no exception.

Seth clapped my cheeks, startling me.

“You’re Kal, not Seth. You liar,” he said before giggling.

“Yes, I’m your Kal.”

Wyn slipped to the side, practically draped against the wall as he laughed. “It’s fine. It’s fine.” No one was talking to him, but Wyn kept shaking his head and waving a hand. “I’ll fix that phase variance. It won’t elude me forever.”

“Of course, you will.” Seth launched at Wyn, seizing him in a tight hug, and I growled, unable to stop it.

Tears welled in Wyn’s eyes moments before he burst into heaving sobs. “I knew you would understand.”

“No phase thingy is a match for you,” Seth proclaimed.

I paused, jealousy morphing into shock as I watched them cry about a phase variance. I glanced at Monqilcolnen.

“This has happened three times since we left the canteen. It has been a long walk.”

They swayed and would’ve fallen, except I snagged Seth and Monqilcolnen snatched the back of Wyn’s uniform. Seth wound his arms around my neck, his earlier distress disappearing. Wyn went back to tittering incoherently.

“Monqilcolnen, you should get Ensign Wyn back to his quarters.”

He inclined his head, but right as the door started to close, Wyn’s lips tightened and his head jerked back, then he puked on Monqilcolnen, splattering the front of his uniform. Monqilcolnen’s ensuing snarls were cut off by the door.

Seth gave me an easy smile, which made sunlight flood my soul. I asked him, “Did you have fun?”

“It was so much fun. I”m a horrible shot. Like horrible, you know?”

“You have excellent aim in our game.”

“It’s not the same,” he said, words slurred. “I’d like point and it’d pew in another direction, then I’d like move and it goes, you know?”

“Sure.” I had no idea what he was saying.

He grinned before launching at me, head knocking into mine. I grunted, but Seth didn’t pull back and his lips found mine. I grimaced. His breath was a literal trash heap. Still, I returned the kiss.

“You’re cute, you know? Have I told you that?” Seth asked.

“Not recently.”

“We don’t come in blue,” he said. “I never thought I’d like blue, but you’re very cute. Like really cute.”

“I think you’re cute too.”

“I said really,” he pouted.

I started to reassure him, but Seth attacked me again, his mouth pressing frantically against mine. His kiss was sloppy and wet, but I kept my arms about him and returned it. When he tugged on the hem of my shirt, I shifted back, ignoring his sound of protest.

“You are way too drunk for us to continue.”

“I’m not that drunk,” he said, teetering. “I had like one, maybe five drinks. I don’t know. I lost count. It wasn’t that many. Wyn finished a pitcher himself. He can sing loud. Like crazy loud.”

“I thought Urgg was the one who was singing?”

“Wyn out sang them. It was like,” he made a sound like a strangled animal, “loud. You know?”

“I truly don’t.”

He grinned and tried to kiss me again. I evaded him, and Seth barked, “Stop moving.”

“As much as I would love to do this,” I said, staying away from his lips. “You are way too drunk to know what you’re doing, and I’m afraid you’re going to puke on me at any moment.”

With a scoff, Seth shook his head. “I’m not drunk.”

“Yes, you are. Why don’t you go to bed?” I offered, directing him toward his room.

“I’m not even tired. I could probably run around the entire ship. You want to go running?”

“Not particularly.” I didn’t want to end up like Monqilcolnen. “Why don’t you lie down?”

“Are you coming?”

“If you keep your hands to yourself.”

“You’re no fun.”

“I know.” I had to drag Seth to his room as he stumbled beside me. I swore Lucy was trying to kill us when she kept twining around my calves. Then Lucy darted right in front of me, and I tripped. Hissing, I managed to catch myself and Seth before we landed on the floor.

Once we got into his room, I pushed him onto the bed. Seth spent the entire time reiterating he wasn’t tired. I ignored him, tugging off his shoes and jacket and placing his touchstone on the nightstand.

Seth wrapped his arms around me. “Don’t leave.”

“I’ll be right back.” With a damp cloth in hand, I returned and wiped his face, arms, and hands. Seth groaned, rolling to his side. I tossed the towel into the laundry chute before settling behind him.

My tail hooked about his ankle, and I gathered him to my chest. His citrus scent invaded my nostrils and made me moan. Words tumbled from my lips without permission. “I love you.”

“That’s nice,” he whispered, words jumbled.

I froze. “You’re not going to remember this, are you?”

Seth grunted.

I tugged him as close as possible. “I love you, my Seth.”