Bonded by Ria Candro

“No, other than when we first approached the planet. Thanks to some new Enduvean technology we’ve appropriated, we were able to approach without being detected by their sensors.”
    Yes, she’d heard about that particular new invention. The ability to travel undetected by other ships was a pretty huge deal.
    Think of what we could do on a ship like this. Where we could go.
    No, she wouldn’t allow herself to think of it. She wasn’t going to be here long. If she stayed with the Spygians, the Malucons would eventually find her. Would kill them. And she couldn’t bear the thought of that.
    Petros approached. He lifted his hand to her cheek, his lips curving into a smile, and it came away grimy. Her cheeks burned. “Sorry. Guess I need a bath.”
    “It’s nothing,” Petros responded. “You’ve a luxurious bath in your chambers.”
    Her own chambers. Once that had been normal too, but after life on the run, it sounded like heaven.
    “You cannot believe how grateful we are that you defeated the Malucons,” Petros said.
    “How proud,” Reyu added with a grin.
    “We make a good team,” Valeron chimed in, his voice smug. Her eyes moved to him. He looked tired and injured…and content. He looked very content, and it made her heart hurt to think she would soon be changing that.
    The door to the healing chamber opened and Neichon sauntered out, looking a million times better. “Your turn, brother,” he said to Valeron. As Valeron limped into the chamber, he took Inara’s hand. “Come. I can only imagine how exhausted you must be. I’ll show you to your chambers.”
    She couldn’t protest. Nodding, she allowed Neichon to guide her through the long, narrow passages of the ship, past countless sliding doors, until at last he came to a stop in front of one. It opened and he led her inside a spacious bedroom with a tall, wide window looking out into space and a huge bed draped in opulent silk sheets. Their dusky rose color reminded her of her favorite flower back on Chivea. The bittersweet memory brought tears to her eyes.
    “What’s wrong?” Neichon asked with a frown.
    “Nothing. I…I’m just tired.”
    His expression cleared, and he pulled her in to press a kiss to her forehead. “I understand, love. It’s been a trying day. The bathing chamber is through the far door. You can clean up and get some rest. We’ll be here when you awaken.”
    She nodded, then watched him go.
    Now that she was alone, she knew she should leave. Should take one of the jets Neichon had told her about. But she found she couldn’t do it quite yet. Neichon was right. It had been quite a day. She’d allow herself the luxury of a long soak in the tub, then catch up on sleep. And then she’d leave. It was the only way to guarantee the safety of these men she feared she could so easily grow to love.

Chapter Nine
     
    The pod members gathered in the control room to test the signal controlling their transmitter and transporter. After confirming it had been correctly repaired, they took their respective seats at the controls while Neichon directed the ship away from Fresna. Reyu’s thoughts turned back to their mate. He couldn’t stop thinking about her.
    “Our mate is every bit as beautiful as I’d imagined she’d be,” he said to Neichon. He’d been in a perpetual state of hardness from the moment he’d seen her.
    Their leader grinned. “She’s strong and stubborn, and perfect for us.”
    Reyu nodded. “I sense a sadness in her, however.”
    “It’s something in her eyes,” Petros agreed.
    “Her people were decimated and she’s been hunted ever since,” Valeron said. “What would you expect?”
    “True.” Neichon frowned, his gaze on the clear shield lending them a view of space. “I sense something more, however. Something she’s not telling us.”
    “I hope in time she finds she can confide in us,” Reyu said.
    “I hope she wakes up soon,” Petros muttered.
    “She needs her sleep,” Valeron