Page 56 of Einar

ChapterThirty-Five

EINAR

Rollingto my side on the divan and trying to find a more comfortable position,Irelish the taste of my mate on my tongue.Itis the sweetest flavorIhave ever experienced, andIcannot wait to pleasure her again.Ourtime spent in the hologram simulator could not have gone any better.

Rowantrusted me enough to let me give her pleasure, and then she held my hand all the way back to our quarters.

Surely, ifIcontinue to triumph in little ways, my mate will come to care for me, just a little.Herdiminutive form barely makes a lump in the vastness of my sleeping platform.Satisfactionruns rampant through me that my mate is safely ensconced in my quarters, away from prying eyes.Shewas deep in thought as we departed the holo room, soIdid my best to distract her from her worries with idle conversation as we returned to our room.

Thankfully, the crate full of garments sitting in the middle of the floor provided a neutral topic of conversation, and her delight over having things to call her own was blatant.Italked her through how to use all the amenities the refreshing chamber has to offer before she politely, but firmly, kicked me out.Thesounds of her enjoyment trickled through the door, and it made me wonder how long it has been since she had the opportunity to properly cleanse herself.

Noticingthe height discrepancy when she stood next to the basin,Iwent to the supply room to rummage for some sort of stool for her.Ireturned just in time to hear the blower turn on and off asIplaced one of the small stepping stools next to the door before putting a second beside the sleeping platform.Rowanemerged tics later and noticed my gift right away.Herface softened in delight at the thoughtfulness of whatIleft for her.Shootingme a look of gratitude, she put it in the cleansing room for later use.

Whenshe saw thatIhad snagged one of my pillows and was stretched out on the divan, her body sagged in relief before she wordlessly climbed beneath the covers.Myhearts wilted a bit at the thought that she expected me to pressure her to share a sleeping space but is not unexpected.

Trustis earned.Itis a gift, and not something to arbitrarily expect.Especiallyfrom one’s mate.

Whichbrings us to now, asIlie here and watch my mate doze.Notthat she found rest easily or quickly.Ittook longer thanIwished for her body to relax into sleep, but she finally lost the battle with slumber.Myeyes feast on the sight she makes.Herbeautiful red hair cascades over my pillow, her pale skin is luminescent in the low light, and her face is relaxed in an expression of peacefulness.

Evenif she never chooses to seal our bond, andImust meet the gods ofRukwith the breaking of my hearts,Iwill always cherish this moment.

Isthat bacon?

Thedelicious aroma of my favorite breakfast food pulls me from one of the best nights of sleepI’vehad in longer thanIcan remember.Ifeel glorious, and the cause of my current good mood is the first thing that greets me whenIopen my eyes.Einaris sitting at the table situated in the center of the room.Twoplates with covers over them are waiting in front of him.

NoticingthatIam awake, he grins at me in greeting, his tusk gleaming in the light, andIblush in response.

Thethings he did to me with that mouth.

“Goodrising,Rowan.Ihave acquired our fast-breaking meal.AccordingtoBikar, this is what several of the other females suggested for the first meal of the day.Hopefully, it is to your liking.”

Rubbingthe sleep out of my eyes,Itake a second to wake up.Itappears as thoughEinaris a morning person andI’mmore akin to a goblin first thing whenIget out of bed, even if he did eat me out untilIwas a limp noodle the night before.Grumbling,Iflip the covers off and slide down the side of the bed until my feet hit the little stool he put there last night.Ihad to bite back tears whenIcame out of the bathroom last night to find the second stepstool waiting for me.

Histhoughtfulness is getting to me with every small act of selfless kindness.

Ioffer him a halfhearted wave asItrudge to the bathroom.Bacon, or the alien version of bacon, is going to have to wait a second.Ineed to use the toilet, andIcan feel the fuzz on my teeth.Einardoesn’t say anything else as he regards me and just beforeIclose the bathroom door,Ihear his low laughter.

Steppingup to the sink,Itake a long look at myself in the mirror for the first time since arriving on theZenith.Turningmy head side to side,I’mamazed at whatIsee.Ruby’swords about this being a second chance at a happily ever after float through my mind whileIexamine myself.Myface is flushed with health, my scars are mostly all gone, (if not faded to the point they’re almost imperceptible) and my eyes are sparkling with life.Ihaven’t looked this good in years.Notsince beforeImetRobert.Lookingaround the bathroom, my eyes land on all the thingsEinarhas provided for me.

Thepile of ribbons is new, and my heart melts.HenoticedIneeded something to tie my hair back with.Bottlesof shampoo and conditioner are on cubbies in the shower stall.Atoothbrush, and the alien version of toothpaste, line the side of the sink.Heeven found me a stool soIcan reach the sink faucet with ease, and it hits me.Noneof this is necessary.Idon’t have to have any of it to survive, butEinarwants me to be happy here.Pickingup my toothbrush,Iscrub the funk off my teeth and wash my face, clearing away the sleepies.It’samazing what access to indoor plumbing, a good night’s sleep, and a few orgasms will do for a girl.Afterrefreshing myself,Ifeel like a whole new person, and that’s when it really sinks in.

Iam a new person, andIcan be anythingIwant to be.Idon’t have to be a victim anymore.

Openingthe door reveals thatEinaris still in the same place he was before my bathroom break, apparently content to wait on me as long as it takes me to wander over to the table to eat.ThesecondIstart toward him, he stands and moves around the table, pulling my chair out for me and removing the cover on my plate.

“Thankyou,Einar.”

Mommadidn’t raise an ungrateful heathen, and his solicitousness makes my insides all fluttery.

Ohmy gosh,Ihave butterflies in my belly!

“Youare most welcome.”

Hewaits untilI’msettled in my seat before stepping back around the table to sit and start in on his breakfast.Thesilence between us isn’t heavy or laden with stress as we eat.It’sactually, well, almost comfortable.Asif there aren’t any expectations at all.Justtwo people having a relaxing morning meal before starting their day.

Isn’tthis whatI’vealways wanted?

Tohave someone to enjoy the little things with?

---