Page 29 of Fire Forged

“Suggest a roster,” Aldur said, appearing at the door.“Has Lady Britta been found?”

Nerx squeezed his shoulder in passing.“Britta and Lily are in the ‘treehouse.’”He pointed at the ceiling to the viewing deck.“That is if Lady Dahlia is concerned.”

“She will be overjoyed to hear this.My thanks, Supreme Commander.”Aldur swiveled away, then spun back, his mouth gaping.“Your eyes…” His widened.“Lady Britta?”

“Yes, though I have yet to inform her.”

Aldur stilled.“I am in the same predicament.Had Dahlia been Etterian…” He tapped his O.D.I., no doubt to adjust his suit.Nerx did that way too often in Britta’s presence.

“Indeed,” Nerx said.“Now is the time, before we reach Etteria.They cannot leave the confines of this ship even if they wish to.”Wise words he needed to follow.Yet, his situation was complicated.He had to win Britta over first.Telling her she was his salvation while she still hated him was a definite path to death.

“You are correct to mention this,” Aldur said, then beamed.“I am learning much about the human physiology, specifically a woman’s.Remarkable.”He left, muttering to himself about hormones.

Thumping his chest released his armor which Nerx shrugged off, letting it fall to the floor beside the mat.Edon did the same, then circled, his gaze focused.

Nerx stood in the center of the padded mat, designed to cushion the inevitable falls.Tension thickened the air with anticipation.He kept his posture relaxed, but he calculated possible moves before they happened.

“Supreme Commander.”Edon bowed, his fist on his chest above his heart.A confident smirk played across his mouth.He was younger and faster, but Nerx had experience and strategy on his side.

“Pilot Edon.”Nerx thumped his chest.

Edon lunged, aiming a swift punch at Nerx’s midsection.Nerx sidestepped, grabbing the pilot’s arm and using his momentum to flip him over onto the mat.Edon rolled to his feet, undeterred.He launched a series of rapid strikes, each one aimed to test Nerx’s defenses.

Nerx blocked and parried with precise movements, using minimal effort to counter the pilot’s attacks.He saw an opening and took it, delivering a quick elbow strike to Edon’s side, making him grunt in pain.The pilot responded with a kick, which Nerx caught mid-air, twisting his leg to unbalance him.

Edon fell but flipped back up, this time more cautious.He tried a different tactic, attempting to sweep Nerx’s legs.Nerx jumped, avoiding the move, and landed a powerful knee strike to Edon’s chest, sending him sprawling back.

“Well done, Supreme Commander,” Edon said, wiping sweat from his brow.“But I am not done yet.”

Nerx nodded, respecting the younger male’s tenacity.“I should hope not.We have just begun.”

Edon charged again, this time feinting left before aiming a right hook at Nerx’s jaw.He’d anticipated the move, ducking under the punch and slipping behind the pilot.In a swift motion, he wrapped his arm around Edon’s neck, locking him in a chokehold.

Edon struggled, trying to break free, but Nerx tightened his grip, applying just enough pressure to prove he was in control.Edon’s movements slowed as if he’d realized he was caught.

“Yield,” Nerx commanded, his voice calm but firm.

Edon hesitated, then tapped Nerx’s arm, signaling his submission.

Nerx released him, then offered a hand to help him up.

“Good fight,” Edon said, his breathing labored as he took Nerx’s hand.

“Not bad,” Nerx said with a smile.“You have much potential.”

“My thanks, Supreme Commander.”Edon thumped his chest, gathered his armor, and left the common.

Nerx stilled, his gaze landing on Britta hovering in the doorway.Her face was that adorable peach color he liked seeing on her.Her focus shifted down his sweat-soaked chest then she lowered her head, hiding her thoughts.Without a word, she headed to the rehydrator, tapping with rapid fingers as if time was an issue.

He wanted to cleanse but hesitated.Any chance to gaze upon her was to be grasped with both hands.So he settled beside her, ordering a towel from the replicator.He too said nothing, though he snuck glances at her profile, admiring the way her hair curled around her face, her earlobe peeking out, the angle of her jaw, the flash of her tiny white teeth nibbling on her bottom lip.

Heat of another sort fired through him, heightening his senses and hardening his malehood.Just a look; that was all it took.With towel in hand, he dabbed at his face and chest, rolling his lips to hide a smirk when her gaze shifted to him, then away, then back again.She sucked in a shuddering breath, grabbed the pile of colorful packets she’d ordered, then raced from the common.

And in her wake, the luscious scent of her arousal lingered.

He laughed, delighted by that revelation.His Dar Eth finding him attractive was a good thing.He could work with that.

Twohoursbeforedinner,Lily appeared in the comm, demanding to climb onto Nerx’s lap.He lifted her and settled her against his chest.

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