Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

W illow's heart skipped a beat at Wraith's question. His purple eyes, usually so guarded, were warm and loving. She reached out, tracing the contours of his face with her fingertips.

"Is there a choice?" she asked softly. "I thought you had a contract to take me to Farlain - and you never break a contract."

He shook his head, his long hair brushing softly against her skin.

"Your happiness is more important to me," he said, his voice low and intense. "We can go anywhere you want."

For a moment she thought of Earth, but Wraith, the wounded, complex male who'd stolen her heart, wouldn't be welcome there, let alone Sooni and Malacar, her new little family, and she dismissed the idea without regret.

"I don't know where else we would go," she said, giving him a rueful smile. "Tell me more about Farlain."

"What do you want to know? There's one main continent where most of the Farlain live, plus some small islands inhabited by a different race, the Elvar. The climate is temperate and much of the land is unspoiled. It is somewhat… primitive," he said slowly. "The previous king restricted the use of technology to the nobles, and only the ones he favored."

"That doesn't seem right."

"It wasn't, and from what I heard, it was the least of his sins. The present king, Conran, led a rebellion against him. The planet is at peace now," he added. "And Conran is a good king. He was the one who hired me to track down the slavers."

"That sounds more promising," she said thoughtfully. The absence of advanced technology didn't really bother her. That is… "Just how primitive do you mean? Do they have electricity? Indoor plumbing?"

He laughed.

"Yes, love. You would be comfortable there. We don't have to decide right away," he added. "We can take some time, explore our options."

She considered the idea, then shook her head.

"I've enjoyed our time on the ship, but I'd like to be back on the ground. To have fresh air and sunshine and… a home. I want somewhere where we can put down roots." She hesitated, then added, "And I'd like Malacar and Sooni to share that home with us."

His expression softened, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Of course," he said at once. "They're family now."

She gave a relieved sigh at how easily he accepted both the idea of settling down and of including Malacar and Sooni.

"Then… let's continue on to Farlain," she said decisively.

"Are you sure? There are many other planets we could choose from."

She nodded, feeling more certain with each passing moment.

"I want to settle down," she explained. "And I like the idea that there's another human woman there. Someone I might be able to connect with."

"Actually there are two of them, although the other one lives on the islands I mentioned with her mate. The former king… arranged for both of them to be taken."

She shuddered, remembering what her captor had said.

"The male who took me - he said that I had been ‘ordered' the same way someone would order food from a restaurant menu. This color eyes, this color hair, this type of b-body."

Her voice shook at the memory and he tightened his arms around her.

"You're safe now, my love."

"I know." She leaned in and gave him a quick soft kiss. "We should go talk to Malacar and Sooni now. They're probably worried."

He agreed, then helped her clean up and dress before they made their way to the common area. They found Malacar in the galley, stirring something in a pot. He was moving more slowly than usual and she immediately started to worry about him.

"You shouldn't be up and about so soon," she scolded.

The elderly Ssst waved off her worry. "I'm fine, child. A little sore, but nothing to fuss over."

Before she could argue, a blur of green rushed towards her and Sooni threw her arms around her waist, burying her face against her.

"I was so scared!".

‘I'm sure you were," she said soothingly, holding her close. "I was scared too."

Sooni's mouth trembled.

"I should have done something when that bad male took you."

The guilt in Sooni's voice made her heart ache. She gently stroked the smooth green scalp, trying to find the right words. Wraith seemed to understand her struggle. He smiled at her and picked up Sooni, then sat down with her on his lap.

"You did exactly the right thing," he told her, his voice gentle. "You stayed hidden and you stayed safe."

"It was the right thing to do?" the little girl asked doubtfully.

"Yes. The most important thing is that you were safe."

"Really?"

"Really," he repeated, and the small body relaxed.

She smiled at the two of them, but there had been something in his voice which made her think he'd remembered more of his past. Remembered a time when he hadn't been safe.

Malacar dished out the meal he'd prepared and they all sat down together. My family , she thought, smiling at them.

"You know we're heading for Farlain," she said. "Wraith and I have decided to stay there and make a home. We were hoping you both would join us."

Malacar gave her a shocked look.

"Farlain?" he repeated, his voice gruff. "I don't really know much about it…" Those perceptive eyes looked from her to Wraith, then he nodded decisively. "But I'm sure it's better than an old space station. I think it's an excellent idea. As long as you're sure it's the right place. I'm not moving again."

"We won't stay unless we're sure," she assured him and he smiled at her, patting her hand.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "Both of you."

Sooni could barely contain her excitement.

"Our own home?" she squealed. "Can I have my own room? With a big window? And maybe a garden outside?"

As Sooni's enthusiasm grew, dreaming up ever more elaborate plans, Willow bit her lip. She hadn't really considered the practical aspects of their new life, like money. Most of the little girl's suggestions weren't realistic, but they would still need to find a place large enough for all of them, plus the garden she wanted. How would they afford all this?

"Sweetie," she started gently, trying to temper Sooni's expectations. "We'll have to see what we can manage-"

Wraith leaned in close, his voice low and amused.

"You don't need to worry about credits," he murmured. "I have more than enough. I've had a very profitable career and I never had much to spend those profits on other than my weapons and my ship."

She blinked in surprise, realizing there was a lot about his life before her that she didn't know. But she gave him a relieved smile and let Sooni continue with her grand plans.

All of them were tired by the day's events and they decided to turn in early. She put Sooni to bed as usual, but before she left, the little girl reached up and hugged her, her thin arms tight around Willow's neck.

"I'm glad I get to stay with you forever and ever."

Tears pricked at her eyes as she returned the hug.

"So am I, sweetie."

She went to join Wraith in his cabin - their cabin - but as she settled into bed next to him, a thought struck her.

"Had?" she asked, turning to face him. "You said you ‘had' a successful career."

He smiled at her.

"I'm retiring," he said simply.

She bit her lip. As delighted as she was by the thought that he wouldn't have to leave them, she knew how much his work had defined him.

That thought continued to gnaw at her as he dimmed the lights and pulled her close.

"I'm worried you'll regret giving it up," she said finally.

"I've already found the only thing really worth searching for," he murmured, his voice low and sincere. "Love."

Tears pricked her eyes again as she tilted her face up to his and he kissed her. The kiss quickly turned passionate, but she remembered her earlier thought and she pulled back slightly.

"You remembered, didn't you?" she asked quietly, and he went still.

"Yes. Everything."

She waited patiently and he finally spoke again.

"My name was Tarchek."

Tarchek . It didn't seem to fit him, but…

"Is that what you would like to be called now?"

He looked surprised by the question, but then he shook his head.

"No. I am not that child anymore."

She thought he might stop there, but he kept going.

"We lived on a farming planet, my mother and I," he said, his eyes distant. "It was quiet, peaceful. Until the raiders came."

She gripped his hand, fighting back the tears as he described the brutal attack. His mother, raped and killed. Their farm set ablaze. How they had discovered him.

"I was… a pretty boy," he said, his voice thick with disgust. "They decided I'd fetch a good price."

He'd tried to fight them, only to be knocked unconscious. He didn't elaborate further, but she was horrified by the full extent of what he'd endured.

"Oh, Wraith," she whispered, her voice breaking. "No wonder you blocked it out. Are… are you sorry you remembered?"

He was quiet for a moment, then shook his head. "No. I needed to know the missing piece. For the first time, I feel whole - partially because of that, but mostly because of you."

His eyes met hers, filled with a warmth that made her heart skip a beat. He leaned in, kissing her softly, and she let herself be swept away into the heat and passion of his embrace, losing herself in the pleasure of his love and the sweet promise of their future together.