26. Peter

Peter scrolled through the selection of movies on the ships server, clicked on a comedy hed already seen, watched a few minutes, and clicked it off. He was bored and restless. He missed Marina.

Dropping the remote on the couch beside him, he leaned back and closed his eyes.

He was doing it again. Falling for a female that was no good for him and with whom he could have no future.

You are in love with the notion of being in love. Kagras words reverberated through his mind. You need to learn to live in the moment.

If only I could.

He wouldnt admit it to anyone, not even to himself, but in the back of his mind, he entertained the hope that Marina was a Dormant. It wasnt likely, because what were the chances of that?

Practically none.

If she had the genes, she would have started transitioning already, given how many times he had bitten her.

Then again, several of the Dormants had taken weeks to transition. Mey and Yamanu had almost lost hope before the first signs began manifesting.

But even if Marina was just a human, which was most likely the case, she wasnt like all the other human females Peter had been with. She knew who he was, and nothing was preventing him from bringing her to the village. Several of the humans from the Kra-ell compound were already living there, so Kian couldnt use the secrecy excuse to forbid it, and there was no reason to deny Marina.

Well, except that it wasnt good for Peter.

He was well aware that it was a prescription for heartache and that watching her get old and die would slay him, but he just couldnt think of not being with her.

If he had any brains, he would end things between them before his attachment to her grew even stronger, but it wasnt his brain that was in charge. It was his heart.

With a groan, he picked up his phone and dialed her number.

She answered on the second ring. Peter. Whats up?

I just wanted to hear your voice. Hows your day going?

Hectic. How is yours?

Im bored, and I want to see you.

She chuckled. It would have sounded better if youd said that you missed me, and thats why you wanted to see me.

But thats what I said.

No, you said that you were bored.

He rolled his eyes. Can I come down to the kitchen? I can help out. Wash dishes or cut vegetables. I dont care what task Im assigned as long as I can be near you.

She sighed. Thats so sweet of you, and I would love it, but youd just be underfoot because you dont know your way around a commercial kitchen. Besides, youll make everyone nervous. Humans and immortals usually dont mix well.

I can be useful, though. I can carry heavy stuff.

Marina laughed. I know you can, but its not going to work. The kitchen is a well-oiled machine, and youd be like a wrench thrown into the gears.

Peter slumped against the back of the couch. Can I at least come visit and steal you away for a few minutes?

There was a moment of silence, and then she let out a sigh. Ive already taken a break to return the dress to Jasmine, and Mila will not be happy about me taking another one, especially since we were informed that the wedding would start two hours earlier than scheduled, but perhaps I can come up with an excuse thats more convincing than a long visit to the bathroom.

Peter perked up. Just tell me when, and Ill be there.

Hold on, Im thinking. Do you still have the dresses you borrowed for me from your relatives?

Of course. You returned the one you borrowed from Jasmine, and there are still four weddings to go.

Three. Im not accompanying you to tonights wedding. But I hope that Larissa and I can attend tomorrows wedding, and Larissa has nothing nice to wear. Could you possibly bring her one of the dresses? That would be a great excuse for me to take a break.

Peter sighed. They were meant for you, and none of them will fit Larissa, but we can pretend that Im bringing a dress for her, right?

Yeah, I guess. Poor Larissa will be disappointed. I need to find her something. I just hope that the two servers are back to work tomorrow. If they are not, I will drag them out of their beds even if one needs to work one-handed and the other is loopy from pain medication.

Theyd better. If not, Im coming to help prepare breakfast and lunch so you and Larissa can take the evening off. I might be inexperienced in the kitchen, but with my speed and strength, I can do the work of two people with ease, and its not like I have anything better to do when youre not around.

Ill tell that to Mila. Marina chuckled. You helping in the kitchen should be threat enough to make sure we get the time off no matter what.