CHAPTER 10

Chloe didn't know what the heck was going on. First Nitiel had reverted to being all business-like, then she could swear he had been about to kiss her by the ship's exit. And now a young woman Chloe had never seen before was fangirling over her under the watchful eye of a buff dark-green guy with four very sharp pointed horns.

"I'm so happy to meet you, Chloe!" Trixie squealed, still holding Chloe in a hug. A hug around Chloe's legs, because Trixie was a little person and Chloe was so tall. "I couldn't wait for our niels to officially introduce us to each other one of these days, so here I am, protocol be fucked sideways!" She pulled back and bobbed her dark-green curls in Vrixiel's direction. "It's thanks to him that I could access the landing bay, of course. I wouldn't be here if I weren't mated to the best Gaenthian in existence." She partially covered her mouth with her hand and whispered, "Your stud muffin comes in a close second."

Chloe followed the direction of Trixie's gaze. Nitiel was touching one of Vrixiel's horns with a pinkie and getting the same treatment in return. A greeting between male friends, according to what Chloe had read on the way here.

"Um, Niti–Subcommander Nitiel is not my fated mate," Chloe explained, keeping her voice down. Every sound echoed in the metal cavern that was the landing bay. "He's just escorting me to the Commander."

A lop-sided smile appeared on Trixie's face, and blue eyes sparkled with mischief. "Yes, yes, I know. Just like I know you must be anxious about what awaits you. That's the other reason I wanted to be here: this place is much less overwhelming when there's a familiar face around. Another human's face, in this case."

"Right…"

"The other human women aboard would be here as well, if it were up to us. But the motherfucking protocol… Speaking of which, I have prepared a dress for you in your guest cabin, so that your exposed calves don't result in Gaenthians all around the station tenting their uniforms."

Chloe bit her bottom lip to keep a giggle in.

"My bean!" Vrixiel exclaimed, voice guttural. "Please, you should not talk about such things in public."

"What things, boo bear? I didn't say boner, did I?"

Vrixiel groaned.

Chloe giggled this time, particularly after a side look at Nitiel revealed he was scratching his horn nub vigorously. He seemed to be scratching that or the tips of his pointed ears when feeling uncomfortable, and she found it adorable.

"Ladies," he spoke then, "I understand you are eager to converse, but I need answers. Where is Commander Siriniel?"

Vrixiel's green wings drew tight. "The Commander is busy."

"An attack?"

"No." Vrixiel looked uncomfortable, and Trixie gave his big hand a squeeze with both of hers, smiling up at him encouragingly. His wings visibly relaxed, and he continued, "There is no battle anywhere in the system at present. The Commander told me he cannot meet Lady Hloe at the moment and requested that I welcome her."

A rumble erupted from Nitiel's chest. "Why can't he meet his niela? Is he sick?"

"No."

"Then why isn't he here? This is inexcusable! I don't understand."

"It's all good, Subcommander," Trixie butted in, one hand still on her guy's. "This will give Chloe time to prepare in the guest cabin assigned to her."

"That's right," Chloe said. "I do need a change of clothes, some food, and a toilet." As much as she wanted to be back on Earth as soon as possible, a short delay would give her time to pull herself back together after everything that had happened on the trip here. She would need all her wits for the meeting with Commander Curly Horn, to make sure she repulsed him from the get-go.

Also, if the Commander had prioritized whatever non-urgent thing he was up to over greeting her, why should Chloe prioritize him? Peeing came first.

Nitiel could not let it go, however. "There is hardly anything that would keep a niel from meeting his newly-found niela as soon as possible. I must see the Commander at once, to make sure he is alright."

"Subcommander, I assure you he is completely fine," Trixie spoke before her partner could. "He will summon Chloe when the time has come. Right, boo bear?"

Vrixiel nodded.

Nitiel narrowed his eyes at the other Gaenthian, whose wings drew even tighter under the scrutiny. Then Nitiel's gaze slid to Trixie, who answered his suspicious look with a toothy smile.

"No. I must talk to Commander Siriniel. Please escort Lady Loe to her cabin."

"But it's you who should–" Vrixiel began.

It was too late. Nitiel had already flapped his wings, taking to the air.

Chloe gaped at the sight. She knew Gaenthians flew, sure, but seeing it was a whole different thing. It was… exhilarating. Those huge wings took Nitiel toward the other end of the landing bay in no time.

So fast, in fact, that he had disappeared through a large door by the time Chloe realized they hadn't said their goodbyes. What if the Commander told Nitiel to pack his bags immediately and go assume his post on Earth?

What if this had been the last time she saw Nitiel?