9
What in the world was she thinking? The moment the question was out of her mouth she wished she could gobble it back up into a cloud of nothingness and indifference. The strong warrior in front of her had more on his mind than she could possibly imagine. Ruby mentally berated herself and closed her eyes. The last thing he needed was some crazy woman throwing herself at him. Maybe it was her concussion talking, but that was only wishful thinking. She was afraid it was her heart.
She stood up and turned around, unable to face him. What she needed to do was just lay low. Get through this craziness and go back home. That’s what would be easiest, right? Go home and forget this whole thing ever happened. Back to a world were there was no Alium to avenge. There was no deceit by the Da’Nesh. Where Drake did not exist.
But did she really want to go back to such a world? Ruby let out a frustrated breath. Despite the kiss they had shared earlier, she knew that Drake had different priorities. Priorities that certainly did not include herself and any kind of silly romantic notions.
She felt a warm hand grip her arm. Suddenly he was standing in front of her and a wonderful coiling feeling made her stomach tremble. How many times had she wished a man would look at her like this? Like he wanted to stop time and make this last forever. Like he wanted her and no one else. Like he loved her.
He brushed his thumb slowly down the side of her face, her name a whisper on his lips. Then those lips were on hers. The final cord tying her to the real world snapped as she wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him closer.
Yes. His roughened hands molded her curves, heat trailing where he touched. It was impossible to think when his lips moved against hers in a way that promised so many wonderful things to come. Ruby wasn’t used to being swept away. But with Drake, she could certainly get used to it.
He pulled back slightly, his eyes dark with desire. He growled her name, his teeth nipping at her neck. Ruby closed her eyes and tilted her head back, trusting him completely. She could only think one thing: she never wanted this to end.
But it did. Abruptly, and hurtfully. Drake pulled away suddenly as if she were on fire. Her legs wobbled a bit until she caught her balance. The absence of his warmth left her cold. His eyes were wide and he glanced quickly at the door, then back to her. A pained look swept his face.
“I’m sorry, Ruby,” his fists tightened, causing the muscles in his thick arms to grow rigid. “I wish… I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” Ruby repeated, but before she could say anything else the door to the shuttle swept open. She quickly hoped to God it wasn’t the Da’Nesh or some other crazy alien race hell-bent on killing them.
A tall figure emerged from the outside fog and into the dimly lit shuttle. Long blonde hair cascaded down this woman that Ruby could only concede looked like some Grecian Goddess fresh out of a masterpiece. She wore a pale blue robe that scarcely covered her skin, and wrapped her spindly fingers around Drake’s arm lovingly.
White-hot rage swept through Ruby’s veins, a feeling she was not familiar with in the slightest. Until now. Ruby was as guilty as anyone of being envious at times. Oh sure, the odd purse, wealthy lifestyle, even fancy car had caught her eye before and brought out the green-eyed monster. But this… this was something else. The term jealous rage came to her mind and she felt every muscle in her body tighten.
“Tesara,” Drake said slowly. “What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting in another month.”
The woman smiled, turning so her back faced Ruby. An intentional snub, no doubt. “Darling, you crashed on Lanou. I happened to be here assessing the troops when my people tracked your beacon signal. Fortunately for you that I did. With the temperature falls on the surface you both would have frozen to death by morning.”
Ruby hadn’t even registered that Kala had entered the room and was checking the injury on her head until she pressed on a particularly sore spot. Ruby hissed through clenched teeth, stupid tears springing to her eyes. She told herself it was due to the physical injury, not the knife twisting in her heart at the scene unfolding before her.
“She needs medical attention,” Drake’s voice was clipped. “Now.”
“Of course!” Tesara whirled around, her robe fluttering in the air as she made her way across the shuttle. Her eyes were pale as ice and Ruby was shocked when the woman gave her a fierce hug. “My poor girl, what a terrible time you have been through. We shall get you all patched up at once, and get you back home where you will be safe.”
“Thank you,” Ruby swallowed past a lump in her throat.
Tesara ran a finger down the striped lining of her shirt, and Ruby could swear she saw something like irritation flicker in the woman’s eyes. “We’ll get you some more of my clothes. I’m afraid I’ve already moved into my quarters, but I’m certain Kala can find you some other place you can get rest.”
Ruby closed her eyes; unable to keep them open anymore. Tears threatened to consume her, but she would not give this woman - or Drake - the satisfaction. The room connected to Drake’s that was already outfitted for a woman… it just wasn’t her. Man, she could be so gullible sometimes. Ruby felt the anger flee her as quickly as it came, and her shoulders sagged under a weight she was more familiar with. Disappointment.
When she opened her eyes, Tesara was staring back at her, a wide smile still on the woman’s perfect face. “I want to thank you, Miss Collins, for saving my husband.”
◆◆◆
Her new room was quite different. It was very small, with only a twin size bed and a nightstand. She shared a bathroom with Kala, and every time Ruby had to venture outside these four walls she prayed she didn’t run into anyone, especially Mr. Prince. King. Drake. Whatever he called himself these days. Or the Queen.
Not that she really needed to worry about that, though. She hadn’t seen hide nor tail of them since they had gotten back onto The Journey, and that was two whole days ago. They were probably off canoodling in their love nest.
The thought made bile rise in her throat. The meal she’d just consumed, consisting of what looked like potatoes and some kind of beast meat, threatened to make an appearance once more. Ruby closed her eyes and breathed through her nose, trying to settle her stomach. A trick her mother had taught her.
“Are you all right?” Kala asked, her face etched with worry. “Do I need to call the doctor back?”
Ruby shook her head, offering a shaky smile. “No, thanks. I’m ok. Just tired.”
Kala nodded, but didn’t seem convinced. “Of course. Well, is there anything else you need? Anything I can get you at all?”
“A hug, maybe?” Ruby laughed when Kala immediately threw her arms around her, hugging her tight. She was the closest thing to a friend during this whole weird, insane time in space. She was truly going to miss her.
When Kala pulled away she brushed tears from her cheeks. “I’m sorry. But this is just… it’s so wrong. You can’t be leaving. I can’t believe he didn’t tell anyone what he was doing!”
Ruby sighed heavily. She still could hardly believe it herself, but over the last forty-eight hours she had done a lot of thinking. It didn’t help anything, but it helped her deal with it. So that was something, she supposed.
“Kala… it will all work out. You just have to trust that Drake knows what he’s doing. He cares for you all deeply. He’s just doing what he thinks is best for you.”
Kala nodded and walked towards the door, hesitating before opening it. “He asked about you again this afternoon.”
“Oh?”
“Do you have a message for him?”
Ruby walked over to sit on the window seat and gazed out to the stars. “I wish you the best, Kala. Thank you for everything.”
The door opened and closed with a click and Ruby was left to her thoughts once more. The sooner she was off this ship, the better. As much as she tried not to think of Drake, he ended up being the only thing she thought about. Even sleep was not a solace. He was invading her dreams as well.
Soon she would be back home. Light years away from intergalactic wars and King’s on a mission. And secret Queen’s that are conveniently left out of conversations.
This was ridiculous. Just because she had slain some beast did not mean she was meant to be with this man. The power of suggestion was working its mystic spell over her, causing her to feel things that weren’t real. Like this attachment to Drake. It was more like an obsession that, Ruby was certain, would fade away with time and distance.
But then why did that thought fill her with such a longing for the exact opposite? She wanted Drake here, with her now, and begging her forgiveness.
Ruby sighed. Right, like that would ever happen.
A knock on the door startled her. Her heart leapt at the sound, then she shook off her ridiculousness. It wouldn’t be him. It would be whoever was taking her back home.
The time had come. Home was calling.
Her feet felt heavy as she walked over and punched the button. The doors had barely opened when a hulking figure forced his way inside, grasping her forearms tightly.
Drake.
The door closed with a hiss and she felt the familiar pang of soul deep recognition in her heart. His eyes were wild, burning, and crazed in a way she didn’t understand. It was as if no time had passed at all and they were back in the shuttle.
His words were low and sent a shiver down her back.
“I cannot let you go.”