Page 54 of Grulen

“Have I misread signals?”Her cheeks turned red.

“No.Yes.”He ran his hand through his damp hair.“I mean, I find you extremely attractive, Morgan.Not just in appearance.Your personality is wonderful.I enjoy spending time with you.”

“But…”

Shrugging, he sighed heavily.

“I don’t know who I am.I could have a mate or be under a troth contract.It wouldn’t be honorable to pursue a romantic relationship with you until I know for certain.”

Her eyes flashed upwards to meet his.Red tinged her cheekbones.

“Oh, I hadn’t even considered that.I’m so sorry I said anything.”She bent to pick up her things.“Please forget this conversation.”She swore under her breath when the water pouch slipped from her fingers.His hand covered hers.

“I should, but I don’t want to forget it.Please don’t be embarrassed.I am honored by your interest, Morgan.You have no idea how much I would love to explore more with you.”His voice lowered.“But I can’t.”His tail flicked in short bursts.“This amnesia is beyond frustrating.I feel like there’s something important I need to do.I don’t feel like I’m missing someone specifically, but I…don’t…know.”He slapped his chest needing the sting to punish himself for hurting her.

She murmured, “Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.”Tears filled her compassionate eyes.“I understand, Stalad.And I respect you and your reasons more than you know.If you do have a mate, she is a lucky female.”She drew in a shaky breath.“I hope we can remain friends.”

He reached a hand toward her, then slowly dropped it by his side without touching her.

“Please.I would like that,ciebala.”

Giving him a sad smile, she said, “Well, I better go.Training tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

He admired the gentle sway of her hips as she walked away.Why can’t I remember?What if there’s someone waiting for me that doesn’t make me burn like she does?If my memories return, will I still feel the same way about the human?

For the first few days, the Orkites kept to themselves.Stalad observed them sparring and at meals.Ladies Niksen and Lollek trained with each other and also with Krinir and Fraddar.Even when provoked, Krinir remained measured.Solid fighting skills and exuding calm in every circumstance, his stalwart presence kept the others from escalating irritating behaviors.Fraddar’s humor sometimes went too far, but he reminded Stalad of a young male looking for attention, even though he old enough to be Niksen’s sire.Lady Lollek appeared subservient and helpful.If he didn’t know she operated covertly for Haggar, he might have missed her watchful eyes.

Lady Niksen sported a leaner body than most Orkites.A symmetrically beautiful face and muscular control made for an appealing picture as she fought.He wasn’t a fan of her tusks, but that was his personal preference.

In between, he trained with the Jalaxians on Tren’s invention called a hover jetpack.The engineer upgraded the controls to account for carrying another being.With practice, all of them became proficient on using the device, but each of them suffered various injuries from impacting the bay walls and ceilings.Lezon spent some time healing each of them.The medic also told the story of how one of Tren’s earlier inventions, a weapons spinner, almost took of his head.Makai’s caution on my tour at the engineering door now makes sense.Tren is brilliant, but he lacks restraint.

All of them discussed the latest updates about the happenings in the Zuvgran empire.Without a successor named, the initial chaos resulted in a military commander, Rufen d’Urfan, taking control.None of them knew much of the male, so they couldn’t project whether military rule would continue or if another bid for power would happen.Makai shared that there were a number of Zuvgran who hated n’Tuli’s rule and had been escaping for years.Whether that foreshadowed a significant change for the future, no one knew.

Fortunately, he and Morgan settled into their friendship without rancor or hurt feelings.While they continued to teach each other their respective skills, they did so in a group setting.Although he wished for more that he couldn’t have, he refrained from flirting or unnecessary physical contact.His tail, however, had a mind of its own and he frequently found it sneaking to hold her ankle gently or resting on the small of her back if they were in close proximity.

He shook off his thoughts of others on theFortitudeand concentrated on Crax in front of him.The huge Jalaxian rolled his head and shrugged.

“Are we doing this?”For a big male, Crax moved lightly in the sparring ring.

“Of course.”Stalad chose a loose stance and waited for Crax’s opening move.

When a blue fist aimed at his face, he pivoted on his right leg.Air displaced near his head creating a false breeze.Well, I guess we’re starting strong.

Continuing his swivel, he elbowed his opponent in the torso.Internally wincing at the shock up his arm from the hit, he jumped over Crax’s tail when it swept toward his legs.Landing in a crouch, he threw an uppercut toward the Jalaxian’s armpit.Crax grunted and Stalad resisted the urge to shake his hand.Crek.The male is a rock.

For the next several minutes the males didn’t speak, although the space was alive with the sounds of flesh meeting flesh, as well as growls and grunts.Neither male gained a significant advantage overall.

“Stalad!”

Makai’s interruption distracted the Svesti and Crax took advantage of the moment to punch him in the face.Stalad fell backwards and air rushed from his lungs.Sucking in a breath, he sat up and rested his elbows on his knees.He looked up to see Crax holding out a hand to help him up and Makai’s eyes twinkling in amusement.

“You should know better, Svesti.Never take your eyes off your opponent.”Makai grinned.

“Did you want to see Crax drop me?”Stalad clasped Crax’s hand and allowed himself to be pulled up.

“Not particularly.It was an extra benefit.”

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