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“And that’s how I came to know Garix.” Izzy grinned, then shoveled strawberry ice cream into her mouth. It wasn’t the same as Cheery Cherry’s, but it would do. She tried not to slice glances at medical with Oyaz still in some sort of pod. Hence the ice cream. Once, she’d told Caro she didn’t eat the stuff, and that wasn’t a lie. But under the circumstances, she needed it. Things were bad. Sure, they were on board the battleship again, but she was without an Eth, and now Miri’s life was as disrupted.
“When were you going to tell me?” Miri tapped a spoon on the bowl, her salted caramel ice cream, for the most part, untouched. Garix was on his fourth bowl and as many flavors.
Men lingered, tossing their gazes at Miri. With her black hair and dark skin, she could pass for an Etterian. Except her eyes were a deep brown, and she had the most gorgeous plump lips.
“Tell you which part?” Izzy shrugged. “With Caro kidnapped, Simmy in danger, I haven’t had the chance to breathe.”
“But you sold the Cheery Cherry. You loved that shop.”
“It meant nothing without Caro there, and I was hoping to find my Eth. What would I do with the shop when that happened?” Izzy spun on Garix. “I zapped two sharkmen. Where did they go?”
“They suffocated in storage. It is without oxygen,” he said in a monotone as if their deaths meant nothing.
She squeaked. Nausea churned in her stomach, and she shoved the ice cream aside. “I killed them?”
Miri flicked a dismissive wrist. “What are you complaining about? How many did I kill, Garix?”
He stilled with his spoon in his mouth. “Thirteen Yithians and three Maloidians.”
Izzy tilted her head. “Maloidians? Are they the yellow squidheads?”
After his eyelids fluttered, his shoulders shook when he laughed. “Yes.” He nudged his chin at the gathered men in the common. “Lady Miri, you are revered for your courage and determination.”
She dipped her gaze while spooning ice cream into her mouth.
“They’re hoping you’re their Dar Eth, their mate,” Izzy teased. “Hot jam and buttered toast, Miri, you can have a sexy man today.” She sounded like a digi-ad. Step right up, get your free alien today. But wait, that’s not all, if you hurry, mind-blowing sex awaits. Memories of Oyaz drained the humor from her, and she slumped. Maybe her next lover or Eth might... No, she couldn’t think about spreading her legs for another man or male. Not for a while.
“Well, as fun as this has been, I came to rescue you, not commit my life to a man, no matter how sexy he is.”
Izzy pressed a hand to her stomach, willing the ice cream to stay down. “I’m thinking of touring Europe, might even visit Lunar Base and Mars. I’ll get an O.D.I., though. Would love to be able to speak French or German when I get there.” She activated Garix’s wrist to show Miri.
“Ah, the translator.” Miri dropped the spoon in the bowl and sighed. “I heard that Madyx dude is onboard. I’d love a chat with him.”
Izzy winced, images of him touching her breast inflamed her cheeks with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. She curled her shoulders, tucking her hands between her thighs.
“I’m curious as to his motivations. Also,” Miri grinned,” I want to rub it in his face that I kicked his ass.”
Izzy forced a chuckle. “That’s not very sporting.”
Miri shrugged. “Sue me. Besides, when I get home, you know Darius. My brother always wants to know what happened. I need all the details.” She scratched her scalp. “And I could do with a shower.” Blood still matted her hair after Brynr had healed the gash.
“Okay.” Izzy rubbed her palms together with pseudo-glee. “How about the bestest shower ever, a change of clothes, we pop in to visit Simmy, then you zap home?”
Miri arched a dark eyebrow. “After I visit Madyx?”
“Sure.” Izzy rose, patted Garix on the shoulder, and led Miri to her quarters. She palmed the panel, and it opened with a gentle whoosh. “Wait till you try the water. No soap’s necessary. The shower senses your core temperature and sets the water a few degrees hotter. Just rinse your hair and gargle. That’s it.” She flicked her matted hair. “I’ll shower too.” She pointed to the buttons on the wall. “Blue to dry, white for a toweling robe.”
As soon as the bathroom door closed, Izzy collapsed in a chair. A sob echoed off the metallic walls, so she sucked it in. She hadn’t lied when she said she’d tour Europe. Having sold her ice cream parlor, she had no other purpose in life. What she would do after she’d seen the sights she didn’t know.
She pulled Oyaz’s T-shirt over her nose and sniffed. The scent of his skin still lingered. Her heart fluttered, and her arms ached to hold him. Although, the muscle twinges might be from carrying that stupid gun. The damn thing should be lighter. She rose and ordered clothes from the replicator and a bottle of water from the rehydrator.
She paced the confines of her quarters, listening for the dryer. When it came on, she stopped, flicked her fingers, and rolled her shoulders. “Paste on that smile, Izzy. Remember. Happy people attract good things.”
Pain lanced across her chest and seized her lungs. How many more years did she have to smile, skip, laugh, dance, as if nothing in the world bothered her? How many more times did she have to swallow her pain? When would the good things start happening to her?
When she’d been with Oyaz, she’d hoped this meant a brighter future, a place she was meant to be, with someone who might end up loving her. Instead, she was alone, having lost her best friend, given up on Simmy, and broken the promise she made Dad. But she had also met Garix. She smiled through the tears. And Oyaz. The time spent with him, despite the Asshat-ordeal, had been wonderful.
“That was amazing. Not sure about the blow-my-body-dry thing, though.” Miri strolled through the door, gripping her robe closed. “And this robe’s useless. Where’s the sash?”
Wiping her cheeks, Izzy leaped to her feet with her signature smile in place and activated the magnets. “Come, let’s choose your clothes. You can change while I shower.”
Miri shrugged and trailed Izzy to the replicator. It took a few minutes for Izzy to explain how it worked with her limited knowledge. Miri ordered black leggings, a baggy camo T-shirt, and fresh socks. She loved her thick boots and wouldn’t budge on ordering a new pair.
Gathering her clothes, Izzy disappeared into the bathroom. As the water flowed over her, she succumbed to a good cry, blessing the water spray with silent wails. When she couldn’t wallow any longer, she stepped out and activated the dryer. As it worked, it gave her a few moments to gather herself. Miri knew her too well, but Izzy didn’t want to burden her with her sad life. Besides, what could Miri do except pat Izzy on the hand?
After she emerged in a colorful skirt and plain pink T-shirt, Miri gripped her shoulders and ushered her into a chair. “First, why the hell didn’t you warn me that this thing moves? I lost ten years off my life. And second, spill. I haven’t seen you this down since Danny said your hair looked like a troll doll.”
“Ah, come on, Miri, I just got my shit together. Flaming nipples, if I spill, I’ll be a sobbing mess again.” As it was, her eyes burned and a tickle had taken up residence in her throat.
“So give me the short and sweet.”
“Fine. I had an Eth, and I lost him.” Izzy controlled her breathing, hoping to hold back an influx of tears. “Best sex of my life.”
“You slept with him?” Miri squeaked.
“He was my mate, as in my forever. Why play coy?” And now she had memories to sustain her for the rest of her miserable, lonely life.
“And how did you know he was your...Eth?”
“They kneel when the Ethera strikes them. And by the looks of things, it’s painful.” Izzy jumped up to pace, folding her arms across her chest only to throw them out wide. “And their eyes change color to this spectacular cerulean blue. They’re honorable men, for the most part. Not like Madyx.”
“He must have had his reasons.”
Izzy shrugged, not caring how or why Madyx lost his honor. “Come, let’s comm Simmy.” Facing the display vid, she said, “Simone Elora Reeves.”
It took a second to flicker. An image of replica quarters formed. A male dominated the display. His cheekbones were wider than his jaw and forehead. He had a lovely nose leading to his wide oversized upper lip. Straight eyebrows that could’ve been drawn with a ruler knitted above his ice blue almond-shaped eyes.
Izzy frowned. Had she dialed... No, wait, she’d spoken her sister’s name perfectly. “Um, hello, I’m looking for Simmy.”
“Simone? You have a comm.” He blessed Izzy and Miri with a side-profile, as handsome as his portrait.
“Who is it, Danic?”
He arched a brow at Izzy, but she couldn’t look past his swirling blue eyes. Did Simmy have an Eth? One side of Izzy’s heart wrenched with jealousy, and the other side was pure joy. Her sister would be protected. This discovery solidified Izzy’s decision to leave. Now was as good a time as any. They said she could find herself in Paris.
“Her sister, and if she doesn’t get her ass here, I’ll find her quarters and serenade her.”
“I’m coming, dammit.” Simmy came into view, her eyes still white.
Izzy shrugged. Remaining blind was Simmy’s stupid decision. Horse to trough and all that. “Good to see you too, sis.”
“Ha ha, like I haven’t heard that one before.”
Izzy chuckled. “Just checking in. Letting you know I’m off to tour Europe, and I’ll see you when I see you. If ever.”
Miri’s eyebrows shot to her hairline.
Simmy rolled her eyes. “Right, like I can believe that.”
“What you believe is up to you. I had some of your art supplies brought up.” No way on this massive battleship would Izzy reveal to Simmy what it had cost her. “Consider it my farewell gift.”
A frown furrowed Simmy’s delicate brow. “But you promised Dad—”
“I did. Still, here you are, choosing to stay blind after Mom and Dad wasted their savings on specialists. What you decide is on you. I’m done. I’m tired of pretending to be something I’m not. I’m me, the sister who braided your hair with earthworms and put paint in your shampoo bottle. I love you, but I don’t like you. So, this is it. Have a nice life.”
She ended the comm and slithered into a nearby chair. Her limbs twitched as if she had run a marathon. But the heavy weight that had dampened her soul for decades lifted.
“What was that about?” Miri crouched beside Izzy and clasped her forearm.
“Simmy can see if she undergoes healing. She chooses not to.”
“What?” Miri gasped. “But your parents—”
“I know. I’ve finally forgiven myself for whacking her on the ass with an umbrella.” Izzy smiled.
“That’s what you did?” Miri frowned. “But I thought you shoved her down the hill.”
Izzy waved a hand. “Close enough. Now, let’s get you access to Madyx.” Climbing to her feet, she faced the display vid again. “Garix et Orix.”
“Minus susa.” He smiled. Sweat dripped down his face, and by the looks of things, he was sparring with a greatsword. Pity she’d missed that.
“I need a favor, teddy bear. Can you sneak Miri in to speak to Madyx?”
“Sneak, no.” He harumphed. “I have spoken to Sub-Commander Vorn, and he has agreed to the visit. Since Lady Miri had a hand in securing the male, and since he is behind a shielding, she should be safe. Let me cleanse, then I will escort you.”
“Meet us in the common. I want to ask Brynr to fit an O.D.I.”
Garix grinned. “This pleases me, Izzy.”
The comm ended, and after tugging on her slippers, Izzy led Miri to the common. Oyaz was still in his pod. Izzy paused alongside it to place her palm on the glass. In the bright light, every valley and curve of his naked chest was a visual delight. She sighed and pressed her temple to the glass.
“Miladies,” Brynr greeted while punching on his holographic buttons.
Izzy dragged her gaze from Oyaz, trying not to remember where her fingers had stroked, her lips had kissed, how he’d blown her mind with his sexual prowess. She faced the medic and cleared her throat. “Brynr, how do I get an O.D.I.?”
His head whipped up. “You ask for it.”
She smiled. “Just like that?”
“It is good that you have one, Lady Izzy. It will make it easier to track and communicate with you should you be in danger again.”
Miri laughed. “Danger is her middle name.”
Brynr’s eyes widened. “It is?”
Izzy glared at Miri. “She’s teasing, Brynr. Where do you want me?”
He unfolded a bed, and she climbed onto it. While she watched Oyaz’s chest rise and fall, Brynr gathered the tools he’d need, including the shaver from last time. Miri shuffled closer, with furtive glances behind her indicating she found the constant attention unnerving.
“What would you do if you sparked the Ethera, Miri?” Izzy traced a pattern on her skirt before glancing up.
“Run?” Miri wiggled her brows and chuckled. “I don’t know, Izzy. I love my life. I enjoy the long hikes and spending nights under the stars. I like the cold winters in front of a fire.” She twirled a forefinger. “I’d hate to be stuck in a metal box traveling through dark, unemotional space.”
“Your male must remain with you,” Brynr said as he slid something under Izzy’s skin. She hadn’t felt him make an incision, and no blood trickled from the cut.
“What? He’ll leave this and live with me?” Miri scanned the men watching her.
Izzy didn’t bother telling her that the Ethera would’ve happened when they first saw her. But then, what did Izzy know? Oyaz had spoken to her on the screen first, but his eyes hadn’t changed color. Only when she met him face-to-face did he kneel. And look how that turned out.
“Flaming nipples, Miri, you almost sound like you’re interested.”
Miri shrugged. “To share my love of our planet with someone other than my brother Darius would be wonderful. Regardless, after Madyx, I’ll go home, and this’ll be a mute discussion.”
Garix strolled in wearing fresh armor. He munched on an apple, his pockets bulging with more. “Lady Miri, are you ready?”
“Thank you, Garix.”
Izzy gestured to Oyaz’s prone form. “I’ll stay here. Find me when you’re done.”
Miri rocked on her toes while chewing on her lip.
Izzy sighed, knowing her childhood friend’s expression all too well. “Fine. I’ll come with.” She swallowed hard. Everything in her wanted to not visit Madyx.
“Done.” Brynr tapped her left wrist. Holographic buttons in English flickered an inch above her skin. He scanned his wrist overs hers, and tingles rippled to her elbow. His name appeared with his contact details.
“Thank you, Brynr.” Izzy flashed him a smile.
She leaped off the bed and followed Garix and Miri along meandering corridors to a wider one. It spiraled into a large room with cells leading off it. In the center sat a circular desk with flickering buttons on the counter. One cell hummed. Its lighting glowed a bright cool-white, and a man sprawled on the bunk fitted to a wall.
“Lady Izzy and Lady Miri, this is Elite Warrior Karg,” Garix introduced them to the man typing behind the desk.
“Thank you for allowing this.” Izzy offered her hand.
Karg hesitated, then shook it three times but didn’t release her. With his thumb, he stroked her knuckles. “It is honorable to serve.” Pulling away, he faced the cell. “Madyx et Todyx, you have visitors.”
Miri stopped an inch from the shimmering shield. Izzy and Garix lingered farther back.
Madyx grunted. “I do not want visitors.” He folded his arm behind his head and didn’t look at Miri.
“Not even the woman who hit you with a rock and stunned the shit out of you?”
Karg arched a brow at Miri’s taunting.
“Long story,” Izzy whispered.
Madyx grunted and swung his legs over the side of the bunk. Gripping the edges, he stared at Miri, running his gaze over her. “You?”
She grinned.
With a grunt, he fell, landing with his hands splayed on the metallic flooring. Garix lunged forward, stepping between the cell and Izzy. She huffed, gripped his hips, and peered around him.
“Do not touch the shield, milady.” Karg vaulted over the counter to stand beside Miri.
“Is he ill?” Miri’s fingers twitched as if she wanted to help.
Pain rippled beneath Madyx’s skin, and a layer of sweat gleamed under the bright lights. He groaned, his body shuddering. If Izzy didn’t know any better, she would think... She cupped her mouth and flicked a gaze at Miri’s face then Garix’s. He looked pissed, his eyes darkened, and his jaw clenched, jutting out his chin.
“Flaming nipples,” Izzy muttered. Of all the males to fall for Miri, why did it have to be Madyx?
“Leave,” Madyx growled at Miri.
“Why?” She dropped to her ass and crossed her legs. “I came here for a reason.”
“Female.” Madyx raised his head to glare at her. His eyes were ice blue.
Izzy grasped Garix’s arm and tugged, gesturing to him that they should go. Garix pursed his lips but let her lead him away. As they strolled to her quarters, she couldn’t decide between laughing or crying.
“I wished her upon him, y’know.” Maybe she had supernatural powers? Just by speaking things, they happened. Hysteria bubbled up her throat like too much champagne.
“What do you mean, minus susa?”
“I told Madyx I hoped he got the sweetest, most loyal woman on Earth.”
Garix scoffed. “You cannot determine between whom the Ethera will burn, ensa.” He swept her into a hug, leaving her feet dangling inches above the floor. “I have missed your silliness.”
She pressed her temple to his chin. If only Garix was her Eth... She did love the teddy bear. Alas, as a brother.
He left her in her quarters, but she didn’t stay, choosing to head for the viewing deck for a last glimpse of space before she planted her feet on terra firma for a while. As she settled her ass in the built-in chair she’d been in when Oyaz had first hugged her, tears burned behind her eyes. With no one to judge her, she let them slip free.
Splaying her fingers on the screen, she waved goodbye.
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