Page 75 of Reluctantly Abducted
The communication tone sounds again, more insistent this time. Ry glances anxiously at the panel.
"Answer it," I tell him, standing and moving behind his chair. I place my hands on his bare shoulders, feeling the tension in the muscles there. "It's just Kav'eth checking in, right? So what if we're not dressed formally? We're on your ship, in private."
"But protocol dictates—"
"Forget protocol," I say, leaning down to kiss the top of his head. "Answer the call, Ry."
"But—"
"I can feel how scared you are," I tell him softly. "That's not my fear. That's the bond."
His head snaps up, golden eyes huge with realization. "The bond," he whispers, the words barely audible.
As the call tone sounds a third time, I concentrate on pushing my own feelings toward him—my calm confidence, my happiness, my complete lack of concern about what Kav'eth might think of our appearance. I have no idea if it will work, if the bond goes both ways this early, but I try anyway.
Something in Ry's expression shifts, his breathing slowing slightly as some of his tension eases. "You're helping me feel calmer," he says, sounding both fascinated and touched.
"Is it working?" I ask.
The corner of his mouth lifts in a small, wondering smile. "Yes."
With newfound determination, Ry reaches over and activates the communication panel. A holographic display materializes above the table, showing Kav'eth in his formal Council attire. His expression is neutral until he registers our appearance—both shirtless, sitting close together, breakfast spread out before us.
"Researcher Ry'eth," he begins formally, then stops, his eyes widening slightly. "I... appear to have contacted you at an inconvenient time."
"Not at all, Councilor," Ry replies, his voice steadier than I expected given the anxiety I can still feel flickering at the edges of our connection. "We were just completing the morning meal."
Kav'eth's gaze shifts between us, noting our state of undress, the remains of breakfast, and—most tellingly—my hands still resting on Ry's shoulders. Something that might almost be a smile touches his lips.
"I see," he says. "I was contacting you for a progress report on the assessment."
"The assessment is proceeding... productively," Ry says, his formal tone at odds with the way he leans back slightly into my touch.
"So I observe," Kav'eth replies dryly. "Have you noted any indication of bond formation?"
Ry glances up at me, a flash of excitement visible in his eyes. "Yes," he says, turning back to his brother. "It just happened, actually. Owen felt what I was feeling without me saying anything."
Kav'eth's expression shifts, showing interest rather than surprise. "Already? That's promising."
"Yes," Ry says, and I can feel his excitement and happiness flowing through our new connection. "When our first attempt failed, I wasn't sure if it would ever happen."
"The Council will be very interested in your findings," Kav'eth says, that almost-smile appearing again. "I will inform them of this initial positive indication."
"Thank you, Councilor," Ry replies formally.
Kav'eth hesitates, then adds in a slightly less formal tone, "Congratulations, brother. To both of you."
Before Ry can respond, the communication ends, the holographic display dissolving into nothing.
For a moment, we sit in silence, the implications of what just happened settling over us. Then Ry turns in his chair to look up at me, wonder and scientific curiosity battling for dominance in his expression.
"We're bonding," he says, his voice soft with amazement. "It's actually happening this time."
"How does it feel?" I ask, still adjusting to the echo of his emotions alongside my own.
"It's..." he pauses, clearly searching for the right word. "Extraordinary."
I smile, leaning down to kiss him properly. Against my lips, I feel him smile too, his happiness flowing into me just as mine flows into him—a feedback loop of emotion that intensifies with each passing second.
