Page 83 of Sol Survivor

Caah beamed and gripped Drafe’s forearm, snapping his gaze from hers.“My thanks,darasaho.”He joined Nenn in leaning against the interior bulkhead.

“Drop us on top of theMulaPesada, Sonja.”Drafe pointed over her shoulder to the ice hauler.

“What?”she squeaked.“Okay, if you say so.”Her brows knitted, but she angled the shuttle anyway.

“Get theAroagnitosend a shuttle for pick up,” Nenn said to Drafe.“I do not want my female walking across a ship, not until I have repaired her vision.”

Drafe chuckled.“Protecting her is your right, Nenn.”He rose to his feet, bringing Vic to hers.

“Thanks, Caah, and good luck.”she smiled.Without him, they wouldn’t have made it inside the facility.Double-tapping her neck device, she laced her fingers through Drafe’s and leaped out as soon as the door opened.They landed on theMula Pesada’sexterior and, together, thumped toward theAroagni.

When they stepped inside, she laughed and wrapped her arms around Drafe.“We did it.”

“Yes, we did.”He grinned.“Now the trip to Ivoy, time with the Q.C.C., then home,mhi’ vatia.”

“You did as well as I expected.”Aehort greeted them, his hands clasped in front of him and the widest smile splitting his cheeks.

“Thanks for your help.”She squeezed his wrist as they strolled past them.

“What happened?”Vaen asked, wearing his customary scowl—further information the symbiotes shared.Also, Drafe was fond of him.“Aehort has been secretive about your disappearance.Where’s Caah and Nenn?”

“Foq, Nenn.”Drafe burst into a run, abandoning Vic.

“Nenn’s on theMula Pesadaand will be joining us shortly.Caah chose to remain while we travel to Ivoy.”

“What?”Vaen spun on Aehort.“See what becomes of a half-baked idea?Disrespect, flouting our laws and protocol.No, this makes no sense.”He tapped his throat and strode off, barking orders with his brown hair rising and falling.

Vic shrugged and winced, tired to the core.“Dez said he will destroy the pods and no more will be sent.”

“I know.”Aehort gave a slow nod.

She huffed.“I’ll head for Drafe’s quarters.”

“Go, rest, you have earned it.”Without waiting, he glided off.

Each placement of her foot trembled her knees, but she made it to Drafe’s quarters, was able to peel her clothes off, stand under the spray and dryer before sprawling across his bed.Her eyes closed as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Thereturnjourneywasspent mostly in bed, on her back, knees, or ass.When Drafe wasn’t proving how much he adored her body, she visited with Aehort.He taught her how to listen to the symbiotes, their whisperings.The images…no, memories, played like old movies, showing the past lives of the Meorri eking out a living in a desolate land.

At night, before they drifted off to sleep, Drafe would tell stories of his childhood, of his time with his parents, of what he loved most about his homeworld.Not that the symbiotes hadn’t revealed those already, but it was more personal when he shared his memories in his husky baritone.

She was eager to meet her sister, Larya and her mate, Kael.Vic knew her as if they’d been family since birth.Such was the efficacy of the symbiotes.

We draw near to Ivoy, Aehort informed her.

Thank you, friend.I am ready.

He had prepared her for the Ivoyan curiosity and the Qaldreth weariness.Tiny and Nenn would stay onboard theAroagni.Aehort had decided it was best to shock the Q.C.C.only once a day.

Drafe rose and tossed her a pair of breeches and an armor vest.The black was bold against her pale skin.She left her hair down since he preferred it loose and snapped on her boots.When she stood, he caught her wrist and tugged her into his arms.Love for her crossed their bond.Like the warmth of a UV light on her skin after a cold shower, it touched every part of her soul and leaked into her body.

“I want you again.”She flicked her tongue around his earlobe.

“And I you,” he growled, his eyes molten amber.She loved how expressive they were, not that she was in doubt as to how he felt, about anything.Dominating their connection was a sliver of fear, of the unknown, of what the Q.C.C.could decide.

“Why are you nervous?Aehort will ensure we are not separated for long.”

Drafe grunted.“Let us pray they are in a benevolent mood.”

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