Page 17 of Black Star

“Instead of carrying out the sentence, however, Samair was persuaded to turn Darian over to the science division of the Empire, where they were working with the Asalian Coalition to develop cyborg vessels such as theBlack Starand theSword Breaker.

“As for Nani, she was allowed to deliver the baby and the same fate was bestowed upon her. Six months after Nadira was born, her parents’ brains were transferred into the ships you see now. And here they’ll stay until the organic parts wear out. When that happens, the ships go back to being ships. When everyone failed -- and I mean many, many people tried and failed -- Samair figured the only other alternative was to allow you to try.Black Starwas altered yet again. This time, blocks were created within her telepathic matrix to keep her from relaying any information that would compromise the secrecy of this project. He needed you to bond with this ship, but he didn’t want you to know who she really was.”

“Why did he keep me in the first place?” Nadira asked. “I-I mean, you raised me and he’s not had much to do with me, but still.”

“That I couldn’t say.”

“Well --” Nadira stood. “-- what do we do now?”

Mikiel needed to bring this to a close and get Nadira back to their quarters. She needed time to process this. “We send the crew of theBlack Staron their way and get back to Asalian space.” He turned to Ranier. “How long will it takeMorning Starto rendezvous with us?”

“Not long, Sir. Two standards hours maybe.”

“Very well. Damon, ready your people for transfer. Anyone who wishes to stay aboard theBlack Starmay do so -- the rest will be transferred to theMorning Star. That ship is scheduled for sale and has been stripped of all nonessential equipment. It will get them safely back home without giving away too many secrets.”

“I’ll make the necessary arrangements. Nadira --” Damon’s voice changed. Mikiel could hear the sadness there. “-- I’m so very sorry you had to find out like this. Your father was -- is -- a good man. He didn’t deserve his punishment, but since it’s done, you couldn’t be in safer hands. As long as you’re aboard that ship, you’ll have the best guardian angel anyone could ever have.”

Mikiel saw a tear trickle down Nadira’s cheek and decided that was enough. “I’ll be in my quarters, Ranier. Alert me when theMorning Staris ready for departure with its new crew.” Then he took Nadira by the arm and led her down the corridor to their dwelling. She didn’t even try to resist.

Chapter Nine

It was all too much for Nadira, though it did explain a great many things. Her father’s indifference to her at times for one thing, his adamant refusal to give her permission to learn to pilot a space ship for another. Still, it was hard to imagine the man who had ordered such horrible fates for his wife and her lover had allowed his wife’s bastard child to be born and then taken on the responsibility of caring for that child himself. True, he hadn’t had much of a hand in raising her, but he had given her the protection of his name and had never denied the privileges that went with that name.

Mikiel didn’t say a word on the way to the privacy of their quarters. He held her arm firmly, but gently, in his grasp. Over the time of her stay with him, she had started to see a whole new side of him. He might not have said the words, but she had no doubt this man loved her.

When the door finally slid closed behind them, shutting out the rest of the universe, Mikiel wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly to him. There was no sexual implication, only affection, support, and comfort.

Nadira couldn’t help herself. Silently, she let her tears flow. When her vision blurred from the moisture in her eyes, she simply buried her face in Mikiel’s chest. He scooped her up into his strong arms and carried her to the bed.

“Are you all right?” His voice was more tender than she could ever remember hearing from him.

“I will be. There are so many unanswered questions.”

“There always are, Nadira. You were born into a world where there will always be more questions than answers.”

She smiled. “I know. It doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

Mikiel dipped his head to kiss her and she accepted willingly. After the mental beating she’d just taken, she needed a soothing balm and Mikiel was exactly that. His tongue lapped gently at her, demanding neither her response nor participation. It was a kiss meant totally for her pleasure, and she loved him for it.

After long moments, Mikiel ended the kiss and pulled her close to him, fitting her easily into the curve of his body. “What am I going to do with you, Nadira?”

“What you’re doing now seems pretty nice.”

His slight chuckle warmed her to her toes. “It does, but I was thinking in longer terms.”

“Why should things have to change? We’ve managed to find a comfortable way to coexist with each other. And the sex wasn’t bad either.”

“Very funny.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than he flipped her onto her back and covered her body with his. “But thingsdohave to change. As a Vok’nair, you could never be anything other than my mistress.”

Nadira felt the blood rush to her face and wasn’t sure she could breathe as the meaning of what he was saying sunk in. “Mikiel?”

“I sent a request for asylum and citizenship for you several weeks ago and today I got the approval. I thought you should at least have the choice if you wanted it. It’s up to you.”

She was so excited her heart felt like it might pound out of her chest. With a swift move and a hard shove, she flipped Mikiel to his back and straddled his hips. “Mikiel, is this your roundabout way of asking me to join my life to yours?”

He looked a little annoyed, but Nadira could see the vulnerability in his eyes. “Yes. That’s what I want, Nadira, more than anything.”

“Then I accept.”

---