Chapter 9

The momentI heard her enter into the bathing chamber I hit the Holo comm, accepting the private transmission.

"ZoD, I have been hailing you for two risings. I was about to give up and head to the Pleasure sector."

"What do you want, SiN?"

"Unless you have forgotten, I still owe you something. I value our interactions and have been working on making our previous deal good. Things got out of hand quickly with Qyinn and the Jynrel when they snuck onto Darverius, and I am trying to make things right."

"SiN, the last I heard you were on the run, and you had escaped the holding cell on Darverius. I will not give you sanctuary if that's why you are comming me. You are on your own when it comes to the Elders."

"ZoD, you as well as all others know there isn't a cell around that will hold me. The stupid old frackers thought I would simply stay there because they said so. Their laws are not my own. Fortunately, as I was leaving, I was able to pick up a small package. She is about this high and if you are into that species, kinda cute. However, she wouldn't shut up. So, I had to sedate her in order to comm you."

Hemotions to a small human female lying in the chair next to his. "Where would you like me to drop this one off? I don't want to be known as a male who doesn't keep his word. Since the Elders have locked all my accounts, I need other means of making credits now and I didn't want any old debts hanging over my head."

Istart to say he can take her to the research center, but something stops me. IfTessa finds out I sent one of her kind there, she will never forgive me. "SiN, how far away from Zodiqua are you?"

"A couple risings."

"Comm me when you are closer, and I will have a shuttle sent out to you for retrieval."

"ZoD, I should probably let you know I kinda left in a hurry and could use a rising to fuel up and resupply if you would allow me to land."

"SiN, I can't promise you anything at this point, but I will say if you harm a hair on that female's head, you won't have to worry about the Elders any longer. Comm me once you are closer."

Iclick the Holo comm off before he can say anything else. I run my hand through my hair, aggravated as everything seems to be piling up on me all at once. EverythingI wanted for my people and my sector is failing. I wonder if I stepped down would another do a better job? The thought of being able to spend every rising with Tessa without stress floats through my mind. A small hand touching my arm brings me out of my wayward thoughts.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you, but you seemed far away to be so close."

"There are times, Amori,I question my decisions and the direction my world is going."

"Ahhh, welcome to my world. Nice to know I am not the only one lost. You can't change the world in a day, ZoD. All you can do is your best. Now, how about this tour where we walk the human female around for everyone to gawk at. I hear it's going to be the highlight of today's discussions."

"Amori, until this very moment I didn't realize how monotonous my life was. I am not sure who needs the other more, me or you."

"If you want my two cents on the matter. I am pretty sure I am the needy one here. After all, you do own me … not real thrilled about that, but it isn't like I can set up an alien payment plan to pay you back. I have nothing of my own, no money, no clothes, nor a home to go to. So yeah, I think I may need you slightly more."

Withouta thought of how she will react, I pull her to me, hugging her small frame. "MyAmori, until this rising I believe I was simply existing. TheLord of Light placed you in my arms to cherish and take care of. I plan on doing just that if you'll allow me. All that is mine is yours, and what I don't have I will find a way to provide. Your happiness is and will always be on the forefront of my mind."

Ifeel a slight shiver wrack her small frame before she looks up at me. "Why, ZoD? I am no one to you. You haven't known me long enough to say or feel such things."

"I am not a young male, Tessa. I have witnessed things that haunt my memories, and I have felt pleasure and happiness, but I've always been searching. Never have I held another through the darkness, nor had one capture my thoughts the way you have. AlthoughI am uncertain about the path that lies before us. I am willing to walk it, only to discover what awaits. I know things are unknown to you, but if you will give me a chance. Through the roughest and mildest times, I will be the arms that hold you. If in time you find another or want to live your life without me. I will honor your decision, but as for now, I need you as much as you do me. I will never be able to give you what you had, but I may be able to give you something more. Are you ready to be the talk of the community?"

Theentire time I have been talking to her, she has stood against me with her small arms wrapped tightly around my waist. The top of her head barely reaches my chest. She rubs her face against my bare skin before stepping away. Placing a small hand upon my heart, she looks up at me. Those bright green eyes of hers searching for something.

"ZoD, I am not a young woman. I have a ton of baggage and trust issues. If you were searching for something and I was what you found, someone shortchanged you. ButI am willing to see where this goes, I just hope you have not bitten off more than you can chew."

Ican't stop laughing. "At this point, Amori, I would simply like to understand half of what you're saying. Let me get dressed and we will head down to the common rooms for sustenance. If all goes well, we will discuss what to do next."