Page 17 of Fire Forged

Joy hit Nerx, expanding his chest.“The Maker has blessed you, my old battle-bond.”He gripped Aldur’s forearm for a warrior-to-warrior clasp, hoping to convey how happy he was for the elder male.

“Yes, He has.I did not expect this, not for one as old as I.”He sliced a glance at the common’s doorway, no doubt keen to see his Dar Eth.

Nerx released him.“I need to check on Lily.”

Aldur bolted, abandoning Nerx.

Sena and Matir sat at the trestle table, kreso before them.

“Edon, set course for Issneen,” Nerx spoke into his O.D.I.as he marched to his quarters.

For the women, he’d assigned the officer quarters to them and had three quarters in the barracks converted into his and Lily’s.In their small common—the middle room between the two, he found Lily serving Ziot tea.The poor male had colors painted across his eyelids, cheeks, and lips.A strange thing hung around his neck in a rainbow of feathers, and his fingernails were a bright red.Yet, he beamed at Lily, tipping his little finger up as he ‘sipped’ his tea.

“Thank you, Data Officer Ziot,” Nerx said by way of greeting.

“Nerxie,” Lily squealed, leaped to her feet then threw herself into his arms.

“Minus susa,” he said, hugging her tight.“Did you have a wonderful time with Uncle Ziot?”

She nodded, tossing a sweet smile at the male.

Ziot rose to his feet and shook Lily’s little hand.“Tea was…awesome?”He arched a brow, as if he was hesitant in using that descriptor.

“You have permission to cleanse, Ziot,” Nerx said as he carried Lily to the rehydrator.“Hungry?”he asked the moment the door shut behind Ziot.

“Ice cream.”Lily pressed her palms together, her eyes wide with hope.

“For you, anything.”Nerx chuckled and placed an order for strawberry ice cream.

As Lily devoured her meal, he pushed his to the side, his appetite absent.His mind roiled, and yet it seemed to return to the same point…Britta.He struggled to understand why he couldn’t strip her from his thoughts.He was no longer angry with her, and there would be no more talk of apologies, thank the Maker.Her apology hadn’t sat well with him; it had felt wrong, somehow.Her sincerity-insincerity was hard to discern.She vacillated between the two, responding with a sense of humor that was out of place and vexing.

And entertaining.He never knew what to expect from her.

Regardless, he need only endure for the duration of this trip.When they reached Etteria, he would no longer have to deal with her.

Chapter Five

“Okay,spill.Whatthehell’s going on?”Britt faced her mom the moment the door closed behind Edon.

Mom blushed, spun on a heel, then entered a room, it’s door swishing open.She came out a moment later.“Bathroom.”Striding past Britt, she disappeared into the other room through an archway.The smallish ship meant there was one cabin for her and Mom to share.

“Mom,” Britt whined, stomping her foot for added affect.“Why’s Aldur all over you?”

“No idea.He said he’ll explain everything later.”Mom peeked through the doorway, tossing Britt a shrug.“Kinda like his hugs.That man is…” Wearing a silly grin, Mom waved her hand at her flushed face.“Buff.Not to mention his gorgeous blue eyes.Despite knowing it’s impossible, I swear my shriveled ovaries applauded.”

Britt rolled her eyes.“Next you’ll say he’s built like a brick shithouse.”

“Language,” Mom muttered and resumed unpacking, though where she planned on putting her clothes, Britt didn’t know.

The only thing recognizable was the bed and two ledges acting as bedside tables.She frowned.Had she missed the tour?

She shook her head, needing to focus.“I’ve been begging you to return to the dating game for ages, but this is…sudden.He’s hugging you like you two have been getting it on.”

Mom freaking laughed.

Britt huffed, grabbed her bag, then dumped it on the bed.She bit her lip, waiting, expecting Mom to say something.Instead, she stroked the top right corner of a panel, and pop went its door, revealing a hidden compartment.When the silence continued, Britt jumped in front of her to grasp her shoulders.“Mom.”

“I don’t know,” Mom snapped.“He said later.”

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