Page 58 of Hope Forged
“She matters to me, but what I feel is different to your life-fusion.” That was as honest as Illan could be. He couldn’t see himself walking away from Ziamee, but did he love her?
“I knew the moment I saw Cyndi. For you, the process might be subtler.” Iddan chuckled. “Regardless, what interests her mother, father?”
“They are xenologists,” Illan said, an image of Faerar’s ruined garden coming to mind. “Fauna and flora?”
“Mm, let me give this more attention.” Iddan frowned, but hope warmed his eyes. “Will I be seeing you soon?”
“Indeed. We have a few tasks to attend to before we leave for Issneen.”
“Wonderful. Until then.” Iddan ended the comm.
Illan sat there, lost in thought. He lay down, hugged Seba, and enjoyed the warmth seeping up from the floor. This was a simple life: sleep, eat, and repeat. The beast had no concerns.
“Illan?”
He whipped his head up, blinking at Ziamee. “Sorry.” He stretched. “I must have fallen asleep.”
“I need help ordering my mother garments. Coll wants to heal her, but I think it’s best she be better clothed for that.”
He climbed to his feet. “Of course. It is time I taught you.”
“Agreed,” she said, her smile sheepish.
“There is much I must tell you,” he said as he ushered her into the officer quarters. The shower running stated Faerar’s location. He marched to the replicator and gestured to the menu. “Enter your mother’s size. Then everything you order for her will fit.”
“That simple?” Ziamee crowded him, bringing her sun-kissed scent with her.
Illan swallowed hard. “Yes. Same with the rehydrator. I am certain she is hungry for something…different.”
“Pizza?” Ziamee chuckled.
“I was thinking kandyru. Perhaps Coll can insert an O.D.I. while the med-E.D. heals your mother?” It took all his strength to shift away from her.
She trailed her fingers down his chest. “Please.”
Before he could stop himself, he snatched a kiss. “I shall await you in the common.” He bolted, desperate to avoid the temptation of her even though he longed to stay, to taste her lips, to bury himself in her sweet body.
Perhaps,he’d said to Kanzo. He was unsure whether Ziamee was his truemate when he’d witnessed Iddan and Cyndi’s mind-blowing life-fusion. His might be more subtle? His brother could be correct, in the beginning. Now, what pummeled Illan’s body was by no means understated.
He could only hope the final stint in the med-E.D. might grant him a little control.
Chapter Sixteen
Ziameehadexpectedmore.When they’d traveled back to her mother’s cave, she’d stared unblinkingly at the forevids. Where theHailehad crashed was nothing but an ancient crater, no doubt formed by a meteor eons ago. Everywhere else was flat, forest-covered land. In the distance were mountains she half expected to be buttes with another stretch of land.
She was disappointed, having hoped for something spectacular.
The image of her father sprawled in the sand haunted her. And yet, compassion couldn’t stand against her fiery fury and cold disbelief. How dare he play Elorach with their lives? Mudya had a right to ask. What else had he lied about?
And all of this couldn’t have happened without her meeting Illan. That male had been instrumental in bringing everything into the light.
She smiled at her mother running her hand down the delicate fabric of a dress.
“This’s beautiful,” she hummed. “Actual cloth. It’s a pity our replicator was destroyed in the crash. Along with the rehydrator.”
Ziamee stilled. “You’ve ordered from them before?”
“Of course.” Mudya smiled. “It was set to an unknown writing when I checked.”
