“I’m very sorry to hear about your assistant’s fiancée, Dr. Reynaud,” Commander Sylvan said, taking Molly’s hand and nodding his head formally, though he must know she couldn’t see him.
“I am too but he’s in the best hospital in Tampa and they’re doing everything they can for him.” There was a little catch in Molly’s voice but she lifted her chin, as though she was trying to be brave.
Braxx couldn’t help staring at her—drinking her in was more like it—every minute he was with her. He’d been entranced by her reaction to the new people and experiences she encountered aboard the Mothership. Her natural curiosity matched his own—he enjoyed scouting for the Kindred to see new things, not just because it kept him away from the pitying eyes of other people.
Her bright personality, though, was the opposite of his own dark brooding. Despite her disability, she was one of the happiest, most positive people he had ever met. It was another reason she drew him, he thought—opposites attract and he found his darkness pulled to her light like a moth to a flame.
“…are willing to go with her?”
“Excuse me?” Braxx realized that Commander Sylvan was now speaking to him and he had missed what the other male was saying in his musing about Molly. He dragged his gaze from her lovely features and forced himself to focus on his commanding officer.
“I said, are you willing to accompany Dr. Reynaud on her field study to Tal’os Trenta?” Commander Sylvan asked sternly.
“Yes, Commander Sylvan. I stated as much during our viewscreen conference,” Braxx answered, nodding.
“This is a serious change and I would not have you take it lightly,” Sylvan said, frowning. “I will need you to swear an oath to protect the good doctor before I can approve of this last minute substitution.”
“I am more than willing to swear it,” Braxx assured him. Now was the time for him to give his word to his commanding officer that he would protect Molly with his life and make certain she got back to Earth safely. But somehow he didn’t want to give his oath to Commander Sylvan—he wanted to give it to Molly herself.
Rising from his seat in the Commander’s living area, he came to the couch where Molly was seated and went to his knees before her. She couldn’t see his gesture but still, she shifted in her seat and he knew she could sense him near her.
“Molly,” he said in a low voice. “Will you give me your hands that I might swear my oath to you?”
“Oh!” She seemed surprised and more than a little flustered. Still, she held out her small, soft hands to him and Braxx took them in his own, much larger ones.
“Dr. Reynaud…Molly,” he said in a low voice, looking into her big brown eyes though he knew she couldn’t see him. “I vow to you now that I will protect you to my last breath. My body will be your shield against danger—I will give my life for yours if need be. May my own blood run dry before a single drop of yours is shed. Before the Goddess I swear this—let her hear and witness my devotion to you.”
For a moment Molly seemed unable to speak. Then she squeezed his hands tightly.
“Oh my…” she whispered faintly. “Thank you, Braxx. That…that’s beautiful. But are we really going into so much danger?”
“The Tal’ossi seem to be a well mannered and civilized race—at least the Top Dwellers, which we will be visiting are. The Deep Dwellers—those who live in the subterranean caverns beneath the surface of the planet—are another story. But we will not be going there.”
She gave a little shiver but nodded.
“Then thank you—I accept your offer of protection and guidance on this new planet.”
“I am more than pleased to offer it,” Braxx murmured. Though his vow was made and he could withdraw and go back to his own seat, he found he didn’t want to. He remained as he was, kneeling before Molly and holding her small, fragile hands in his, studying her lovely face until Sylvan cleared his throat pointedly.
“Well…I am also appreciative that you are willing to facilitate Dr. Reynaud’s research, Commander Braxx,” he said. “As you know, the Kindred have a vested interest in finding out more about them—especially the energy source you reported on. The …what did you call it?”
“The Tal’ossi call it the Cha’llah, Commander Sylvan,” Braxx answered. Taking his commander’s hint, he reluctantly released Molly’s hands and went back to his own seat. “It seems to be some sort of a deity as well as a power source. The Tal’ossi both worship it and harness its power using crystals of various sizes.”
“Of course, we have plenty of power aboard the Mothership due to our green sun which supplies us well,” Sylvan remarked. “But if these crystals could be carried abroad as alternative or backup power sources, it would be very beneficial.”
“Of course.” Braxx nodded his head. “I will endeavor to find out more while Dr. Reynaud is doing her study.”
“Do that. And be certain to stop by the med center and get Dr. Reynaud some translation bacteria so that she can communicate with the Tal’ossi effectively.” Sylvan rose, signaling an end to their interview. He offered Braxx his forearm for a warrior’s clasp and Braxx accepted, shaking firmly.
“Thank you, Commander Sylvan.”
“Of course. And Braxx,” Sylvan added, pulling him close so he could speak in Braxx’s ear. “Be extra vigilant as you travel to and from the Mothership. We have reason to believe that the Hive is searching for Earth females. They want one special female in particular but they’ll take any they can get. See that you keep Dr. Reynaud safely away from them.”
“Understood.” Braxx nodded gravely. “Tal’os Trenta is all the way across the galaxy, as you know Commander. And we plan to fold space to a spot just outside the planet’s orbit. I’ll take every precaution in between to avoid detection.”
“See that you do.” Commander Sylvan nodded back and released his arm. “And may the Goddess go with you both.”