Page 113 of Grulen

“Apology accepted.You may leave now.”She turned and said something to Largon.

His tail drooped.Consciously, he kept his shoulders from falling.Karid gestured for him to keep talking.He tried again.

“I made a mistake and hurt you.I hope you will give me another chance.I want to make it up to you.”

“There’s no need.Will you be returning to your duties on theInvictussoon?”

“That depends on you.”

“It shouldn’t.My decisions about my life no longer depend on you.”Crek.

“Cie…Morgan, please.This coldness is not you, nor how we interact.”

Her head whipped to face him, and her blue eyes flashed.How can she be so glorious in her anger?

“This coldness is exactly how you treated me when you informed me our relationship was over,” she hissed.“I didn’t like it much either, but I’m just following your example.”

“Fair point.However, I’m no longer treating you that way.Perhaps you might consider doing the same so we can talk.Please.”His tail wound around her ankle under the table.Her fingers strangled her napkin.

“I don’t want to discuss this here.”

“May we speak in private later?”

She opened and closed her mouth several times, but she said nothing.Finally, she bent her head and simply nodded.

“Thank you.”

He didn’t attempt to speak to her again during the meal.He left his tail where it rested on her flesh when she didn’t acknowledge it or demand he stop touching her.

He chatted with Abby who sat on his other side.She gave him sympathetic glances and once leaned closer to say, “Give her time.You hurt her badly.”

“I know,” he whispered back.

As difficult as it was to sit next to Morgan with her stiff spine and lack of conversation, watching her after evening meal speaking to several males who found excuses to touch her arms infuriated him.One Svesti crowded close to her and Grulen’s claws extruded.He took a step toward them when a blue hand grabbed his forearm.He glanced upwards to see who it was attached to.

Crax shook his head in warning.

“Don’t do it.I understand the impulse, but you gave up the privilege of being her protector.Until she allows you to do so again, all you will do is make her angrier.”

Grulen’s tail flicked wildly.He wanted to eviscerate the male standing too close to Morgan.Crax’s grip remained firm holding him in place.He watched as Morgan stepped back from the male with a few words.The male’s tail flicked once and he replied.She crossed her arms and glared at him.He finally moved away.She found Largon and he escorted her from the room.

Grulen looked pointedly at Crax’s hand.The Jalaxian removed it and Grulen wasted no time following Morgan.He caught up the couple as they climbed the stairs.

“Morgan, may we speak now?”

One hand on the railing, she paused midstep.Largon bent his head to speak quietly to her.Her shoulders dropped and she turned her head.

“Join us.”

Grulen had to consciously control his eagerness to be near her and keep his approach measured.It’s only been days since I screwed up and I feel like it’s been forever.

Largon searched his expression before nodding.They walked silently to the residential guest quarters.

“Morgan, if you would prefer to speak with Jevax on neutral ground, I offer the living area in my quarters for your use,” Largon said.

She gave the older male a sad smile.

“I appreciate it, but my quarters will be fine.”

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