Haven 4 AVOW - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,21
not? I want you. You want me. We are always talking about mating, but there’s always a reason we shouldn’t. No more reasons why we shouldn’t. Let’s just do it. Now! Right now! Take me, Barry!” she said, throwing the covers off her body and flinging her arms and legs out to her sides.
“It’s Ba Re’, Ehlealah. And I can’t. You must accept my claim as readily as I give it. It would not be honorable for me to extract that claim from you while you are not thinking clearly.”
“You’re going to miss your chaa-aance!” she singsonged on a yawn.
Ba Re’ smiled down at her as he covered her once more and tucked her back into bed.
“Sleep, Ehlealah. We will speak when you wake.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek as she closed her eyes and quieted almost immediately. Ba Re’ went into their cleansing chamber, gathered two aspirin from the small bag she kept her toiletries in and placed them on the table on her side of the bed, then he went to their galley and retrieved a sugary drink as Vivian had directed him. He placed it on the bedside table as well. Ba Re’ looked down at his sleeping Ehlealah for only a moment longer before deciding to go find something to keep his mind off Elisha for a little while.
“Missy?” Ba Re’ said as he walked through their quarters.
“Yes, Lieutenant Commander Ba Re’ Non Tol.”
“Is Sire Zha Quin Tha still on duty?”
“Yes, Lieutenant Commander, he is.”
“Thank you. I am leaving my quarters to return to duty, please monitor my Ehlealah in my absence. She is sleeping. If you detect that she needs anything, please let me know.”
“Of course, Lieutenant Commander.”
“Thank you, Missy.” Ba Re’ left his quarters knowing that if he stayed, and Elisha continued to offer herself to him, he might just take her up on it. It was better for them both if he left her to sleep off her state of inebriation, before he did something irreversible and they both ended up resentful.
~~~
Vivian stopped outside the door to the quarters she and Quin shared. She placed her hand on the scanner at the same time she glanced over her shoulder toward what appeared to be an empty corridor. “You can go home now,” she called out.
It was only a moment before a male with deep violet colored skin and bright amethyst eyes stepped out of the shadows to face her. “You know we can’t leave you unattended. Sire Zha Quin Tha is not here, and we are sworn to protect you, Sirena,” Zahn said.
“I’m perfectly safe aboard this ship, Zahn. It’s not necessary for you to have to babysit me at all times,” Vivian said.
“It’s my job, Sirena, and I’m sworn to perform it. Please allow me to,” Zahn said, matter-of-factly.
“I know. I just feel bad that you’re always standing around waiting for me. Or for danger.”
Zahn had taken over leadership of Vivian’s private guard when Vor met his Ehlealah. It should have only been a short while until Vor and Li’Orani bonded, and Vor would have returned. But Li’Orani wanted to go home to visit her mother before accepting any further changes in her life, much the same as Ada Jane had wanted to go home before bonding with Kol. So, Vor had escorted her to her home planet. He would be back, without a doubt he’d be back, but until then, and maybe afterward depending on Vor and Li’Orani’s needs, Zahn had stepped up and done a wonderful job.
“You are always safe here, Sirena, because we do our jobs well. Feel thankful. We do,” Zahn answered.
“Alright, then. Thank you for all you do, Zahn. Good night,” Vivian said.
“Good night, Sirena. Sleep well,” Zahn answered.
“Good night, Rel,” Vivian added as her doors opened to grant her entry.
“Good night, Sirena,” Rel called out, yet remained tucked away in the shadows.
Vivian smiled then walked into her quarters allowing her doors to close and Zahn and Rel to get down to the business of guarding her.
“Missy?” she said, as she walked through her home, taking off earrings and undressing on her way to the cleansing chamber.
“Yes, Vivian,” Missy answered.
“Please let Quin know that I’m home,” Vivian said.
A few moments later Missy spoke again. “I’ve advised Commander Tel Mo’ Kok that you are home.”
“Thank you, Missy. Good night,” Vivian said as she stepped into the shower.
“Good night, Vivian,” Missy answered.
~~~
Quin was surprised when Ba Re’ walked through the doors of the Command Deck. “Ba Re’?