Page 15 of Black Star

“We’re here, Commander,” Ranier reported. “All’s clear for twenty parsecs.”

Mikiel punched a few buttons on his console, then addressed theBlack Star. “Commander Singh. We will speak.”

“There is nothing to speak about. You will return Nadira to me, or we will take any and all measures to take her from you.”

“So you’ve said.” Mikiel’s heart pounded. He couldn’t breathe. He had faith his ship could outfly theBlack Starwith anyone other than Nadira at the helm of theBlack Star, but he had to try to convince Damon to join with them before he left. He knew it was important to Nadira. “However, I find myself in an awkward situation. Nadira has been studying this ship in an effort to adjust herself to life aboard theSword Breaker. Simply letting her return to you would be a security risk of the greatest kind.”

“I will not leave here without her, Commander Anjoom. I cannot.”

“And I will not part with her, Singh. I’d say we have a big problem.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nadira’s head whip around in his direction. He couldn’t see her expression, and he refused to look at her for fear of seeing something in her face he didn’t want to see. Instead he gripped the armrest of his seat and kept his attention focused on the display screen in front of him that monitored theBlack Star.

“Mikiel.” Nadira’s voice was soft, hesitant. Goddess, he didn’t want to look at her! He didn’t want to see rejection in her lovely eyes. This woman had made him soft, turned him into putty in her hands, and though he hated how weak it made him, he couldn’t condemn her for it.

“I’ve made my decision, Nadira. You know too much about our ships and their capabilities.”

“That’s exactly why my father wants me. He truly might stop at nothing to get me back.” The desolation in her voice was easy to hear. She hadn’t figured out how to hide her emotions yet, thank the Goddess.

He met her timid gaze head on and knew the emotion on his own face must have been fierce because she wasn’t the only one who cringed. “And I will stop at nothing to keep you. You’remine, Nadira. Nothing and no one will take you from me.”

The look of hope that graced Nadira’s features was worth the slight snicker he heard from Ranier. The man might have been young, but he knew Mikiel better than anyone. He also knew this was so out of character for Mikiel, Ranier most likely couldn’t stop himself showing his mirth. Seeing his commander and friend fall so completely for a woman would, no doubt, amuse him for months. Well, that was all right. This particular woman was worth it. She was worth anything.

“Keeping her is a death sentence. Do you realize that?”

“If I only had a credit chip for every time I’ve heardthatline. I’m confident I can overcome anything the Vok’nair Empire throws at me.”

There was a pause, and Mikiel could imagine the older man considering his words. “Coming from anyone else, I’d say you were simply overconfident. But somehow, I think you just might be able to back up your claim. I should tell you, however, that I am just as committed to freeing Nadira from you as you are to keeping her. Not because her father told me to, but because I love her as if she were my own daughter. So, it would seem we’ve reached an impasse.”

“Not necessarily.” If he was going to be able to persuade Damon to join theBlack Starwith theSword Breaker, this was his only chance. “The only question is, did you really mean you love Nadira like a daughter, or are you bluffing?”

“He’s not bluffing, Mikiel.” Nadira had turned almost completely around to face him now. “He raised me from when I was a very small girl. In fact, the reason I wanted to become a pilot was because of his influence.” She must have guessed where he was headed. The excitement and hope in her face made his heart ache. How could she have gotten under his skin so completely?

“What do you want from me?” Mikiel could hear a wariness in his voice, but also resignation. He had him. It was time to explain everything.

“Nadira has formed a bond with theSword Breaker. She believes theBlack Starhas a part in that bond, though she doesn’t know the nature of it. We’d like you to give her the chance to explore it.”

“Interesting. How much of a role does this ship play in that bond?”

Mikiel looked at Nadira and nodded, giving her the go ahead to explain.

“It’s not so much that I’ve bonded with theBlack Star, though I did have a very small connection with her before I left. It’s more like theSword Breakerhas bonded with her. Don’t ask me how, but it’s the only way I know how to describe it.”

“Wait a minute. Did I understand you to say you believe theSword Breakerhas bonded with theBlack Star?”

“I think so, yes.” Damon seemed to be very interested in Nadira’s mild reply.

“Has the ship said anything in particular about theBlack Star? Has it told you why it has this bond?”

“He, Damon. TheSword Breakeris unquestionably male, just as theBlack Staris female.”

“Did hesayanything, Nadira? Please! It’s important!”

“What’s going on?” Mikiel interrupted them, not because he was curious -- though hewascurious -- but because Nadira cringed when Damon yelled at her. He got the feeling it hadn’t happened often, and it upset Nadira.

“Quiet! Nadira. What did the ship tell you?”

“When we were knocked out of hyperspace, he said ‘after all these years.’ I got the feeling he meant theBlack Star.”

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