Crusader (Battle Born Book 1) (17 page)

“How about a salad or turkey sandwich? I’m not very hungry. The only thing that really sounds good is a hot fudge sundae.”

“That’s probably your low blood sugar talking. Wait. Here’s the sandwich menu.” He scrolled through the selections then paused. “Yep. Turkey is on the list. Each item is made to order. How would you like it prepared?” She told him her preferences and he entered the order, adding something for himself. The machine came to life with a low hum. She was about to ask how long it would take when a small door in front of her opened and a tray slid out. She took the tray off the serving shelf and looked at the food. Each meal was presented on a thin white plate with the appropriate flatware and condiments. Her sandwich looked fresh and appetizing, but she wasn’t sure what to make of Bandar’s choice.

“What is that?” She nodded toward the long, narrow strips of yellowish meat, which had been slathered with a glossy brown sauce.

“Grilled
cyatta.
It’s a large water fowl, popular for casual eating. Think spicy chicken strips with the emphasis on spicy. Most Rodyte dishes are spicy.” She accepted the explanation as he took the tray from her. “Would you grab us each something to drink”

The labels were printed in Rodyte, so she selected two bottles of what she hoped was cola then joined him at the nearest table. “Am I out of luck for the hot fudge sundae?” She passed him one bottle and kept the other for herself.

“There was a dessert menu, but I didn’t see ice-cream on it. Eat your sandwich and I’ll see if I can work a miracle.”

Wanting to see his face, she slipped onto a chair across from him. “Are you in the habit of working miracles?”

“Only for you.” He handed her the sandwich and began to eat off the tray.

She wasn’t sure how to respond to his casual claim, so she said nothing. They ate in silence for a few minutes, tension mounting with each bite they took. Apparently, the pattern for turkey had been accurate because the sandwich was delicious. The “cola” however tasted more like root beer with a hint of cinnamon. She found it strange yet refreshing.

“I know you have no children,” he said suddenly. “Have you ever been in a serious relationship?”

She paused with the sandwich halfway to her mouth. “I take all my relationships seriously. Not that it’s any of your business.”

“This conversation has nothing to do with business.” He reached across the table and caught her hand. “I’m attracted to you in a way I don’t fully understand. However, I’ve learned to listen when my instincts are this strong.”

Setting down her half-eaten sandwich, she eased her hand out from under his and wiped her mouth with the napkin provided by the nutri-gen. “We’ve known each other for a grand total of one day. One.” When that didn’t lessen the intensity of his gaze, she took a drink of pop and struggled for something to say.

“I know you feel it too.”

“You’re gorgeous and heroic. What heterosexual female wouldn’t be attracted to you?” She didn’t give his ego time to swell before she added, “But there is no real significance in physical attraction. We don’t
know
each other. And I have no interest in recreational sex.”

“I wasn’t asking to have sex with you.” He sounded insulted by the concept. “I was making sure there was no one else in your life before I began my courtship.”

Courtship? How had he managed to make such a quaint word sound so raunchy? She saw herself as she’d been in the holding cell, bare-breasted and abandoned to the pleasure. That was what was waiting for her in his arms. Mindless passion, intense pleasure, here and gone like a flash of lightning. But she wanted more, a lot more. She needed stability and security, someone who understood and trusted her, a true partner, not just a sexual companion. Even if he was as devastating as Bandar. “And if I don’t want to be courted by you?”

“Then I’m not doing it right.”

A nervous laugh escaped her lips and she had to look away from his assessing stare. “The things I want in a life partner have little to do with physical attraction. Having chemistry like ours is nice, but it usually burns itself out just as fast as it flashes into existence.”

“Maybe with a human male, but I am Rodyte.”

A fact that was impossible to ignore with his strange and beautiful gaze burning into her. “What’s the difference?”

“Rodytes bond for life, so we must be sure we’ve found the right mate.”

“All the more reason to take things slowly.”

He chuckled and pushed the tray aside, apparently losing interest in his meal. “With chemistry like ours, is that really an option?”

“It is if you stop touching me.” Needing something to do with her hands, she picked up her sandwich and began nibbling again.

“I’m not sure I can.” The sincerity in his tone drew her gaze back to his. “The mating drive is extremely strong in Rodyte males. We can sense compatible mates and the more compatible we are with a potential mate, the stronger the attraction becomes. This isn’t infatuation or even lust. It’s something much more powerful.”

“That doesn’t change anything.” A shiver, part fear, part excitement, skittered down her spine. “I won’t sleep with a stranger. In fact, this place is obviously designed to accommodate more than a handful of people. If we’re staying here for the night, I want my own room.”

He shook his head. “Not possible.”

“Why not?” She set down what was left of her sandwich and glared at him.

“I can’t protect you if I’m not with you, and I
will
protect you.”

“Protect me from what? Akim has my father’s research. He has no reason to come after me now. Not to mention that we have bodyguards following us around. The only thing I need protection from is you.”

That backed him off in a hurry. “I would never hurt you. Surely you realize that.” He sounded hurt by the possibility and guilt deflated Ashley’s indignation. He hadn’t done anything to earn her mistrust, other than barge into her life. Her father’s work had made her a target, not Bandar.

“I don’t know you.” Rather than accusation, this time her words were tinged with regret.

He accepted the statement with a solemn nod then his gaze narrowed. “Would you like to get to know me?”

All the playful seduction was gone. He was honestly asking if she was interested in him. Her first instinct was to push him away with a firm denial, but fascination trapped the words in her throat. If his interest was as sincere as it appeared to be, she had nothing to lose by indulging him for a while. Wasn’t it her responsibility as a human to learn all she could about other life forms? It was a convoluted justification for flirting with an attractive man, but it was the best she could do right now.

Swallowing past her uncertainty, she took a deep breath and then asked, “What do you have in mind?”

* * * * *

Akim stared down at Letos and Chandar as they knelt before him, heads bowed, arms bound behind their backs. They’d been brought to his quarters a short time ago and already they’d exhausted his patience. Anger boiled within him, making speech difficult. They were each rumored to be invaluable, two of the most powerful beings alive. He’d thought this mission would be simple because of their extraordinary skills. So why had they proved utterly useless to him?

Freeing the handle of his flexwhip with a practiced twist, he clasped it with both hands. He had to do something to keep from strangling them as he spoke in low, succinct words. “You would have me believe that, without assistance, Keyran Tarr located this ship, burrowed through the most sophisticated shields Rodymia has ever produced, and miraculously freed my prisoners?” When they both remained silent, Akim kicked Letos in the chest, violently rocking him backward. “Well?”

Letos’s infuriated gaze stabbed into Akim for an instant before returning to the floor. “I thought your question was rhetorical, sir. I didn’t want to anger you by speaking out of turn.”

The bastard had been faultlessly polite since their last disciplinary session, but Akim didn’t buy the reformation. Letos despised him. Animosity radiated off the man in tangible waves. “Do you have another explanation for their escape?”

“I cannot explain their escape, sir. I only know I had no part in it.”

He sounded sincere and confidant as only one speaking the truth could be, and still Akim hesitated. “You were the last one to interact with them. You could have passed Ashley some sort of beckon, allowing the
Crusader
to find her.”

“The
Crusader
and the
Relentless
are sister ships. Wouldn’t your ship pick up any signal sent to the other?”

The answer was yes, but Akim wasn’t willing to confirm the fact. “No one else had access to the prisoners.”

“What about Erkott?”

Chandar’s question was so softly spoken Akim barely heard her. “You’re accusing my brother?”

“Of course not.” She didn’t sound nearly as convincing as Letos. In fact, she sounded almost bored. “I was just pointing out that Letos was not the only one with opportunity and access.”

“My brother has no reason to betray me.” Akim snapped the flexwhip out to his side, freeing the single lash, its default form. He’d hoped the subtle threat would shut her up, but he should have known better. Chandar could be cowed for short periods of time but her spirit remained unbroken. A fact that never failed to chafe.

“It couldn’t have been easy to grow up in your shadow,” she pointed out carefully. “Resentment is a powerful motivator.”

Was Erkott resentful? He seemed loyal, but that could be a façade. Was he— What in hells rings was wrong with him? He would not listen to her malicious slander. He activated a general comlink with a mental pulse as he glared at the top of Chandar’s head.
Erkott report to my quarters immediately
.

On my way, sir
, came the crisp reply.

“He has a right to face his accuser,” Akim muttered, slapping the side of his boot with the lash. “Would you like to recant?”

“It wasn’t an accusation, merely an observation.” Her voice actually grew stronger. What impudence.

Emboldened by Chandar’s remarks, Letos joined the rebellion. “The security detail also had access to the prisoners.”

“What do common soldiers gain by such an act?” Akim dismissed the possibility with an annoyed wave of one hand.

“What do I?” Again Letos sounded submissive, but his posture revealed his defiance.

The visitor chime sounded and Akim commanded the door to open.

Erkott strode into the room, shoulders squared, expression cautious. “You summoned me, sir?”

“I’m attempting to get to the bottom of our latest mystery and Chandar kindly reminded me that you were also present shortly before the prisoners escaped.”

Erkott smirked then his eyes narrowed as he looked at Chandar. “I’m not surprised. Your pet holds a grudge like no one else.”

“Well, you were a bit overzealous the last time I allowed you to play with her.”

“She provoked me.”

Akim motioned Erkott to his side as he turned his full attention back to the subject at hand. “Lift your head and speak your accusations now that the accused is here to defend himself.”

Chandar slowly raised her gaze but she stared straight ahead, refusing to look at either brother. Her
phitons
were so constricted they’d become a thread of silver within a field of blue. “I stated a fact. It was not an accusation.”

“Were you attempting to cast doubt on Erkott?”

“No.”

Akim swung the whip, snapping the lash within an inch of her face. She didn’t even blink. “Lie again and you will be punished.”

“You’ll punish me regardless of my words, so what do I gain by indulging this farce?”

Instinct raised Akim’s arm again, but Letos drew his attention. “Sir, may I speak?”

With the flexwhip still poised to strike, he shifted his gaze to the spy. “Speak.”

“If I confess, will you spare Chandar?”

Slowly lowering his arm, he dispersed his emotions with a deep breath. Was every male on board enamored with his pet? It was a ridiculous question. Of course they were. Despite her failure to consistently predict the future, which was a harbinger’s purpose in life, she was a uniquely beautiful female. “I’ll accept your confession if you also explain how it was done.”

Letos opened his mouth then shook his head and whispered, “Please, sir, let her go.”

Chandar reached over and squeezed his arm. “There’s no need to endanger yourself. I’m well accustomed to these games.”

Akim couldn’t decide if he was infuriated or amused by her attitude. She’d had two years to learn the rules. She just refused to abide by them.

“Door open,” Akim said without taking his gaze off the two kneeling at his feet. “Guards!” When the two soldiers stationed outside moved just inside the room, he added, “Return Letos to the detention level.” He waited until Letos was gone to continue. Questioning them together had been a mistake. They were drawing strength from one another, fueling each other’s rebellion. “I have an offer for you as well.”

“I’m listening.”