might not have been because of her death. Maybe he just never wanted to be a father.”
Not want to be a father? He could not conceive of such a thing. Hothians valued children as the precious gift they were. Even when his father had been devastated by the loss of his first mate and chose to hide away inside their cave, he had always had time for Baralt and his brother. Although, he remembered, after his father’s second mate had died, his father had just seemed to give up, and Baralt’s half-sister had spent her time with her mother’s family. But Isabel hadn’t had anyone.
“Did he mistreat you?” he growled.
“Not exactly. It was more that he was… indifferent. When I was little it was small things, like not showing up for school events or forgetting to pick me up for hours at a time. Then once he’d decided I could take care of myself, he was literally never there. I would go two or three days without seeing him.”
Her voice was flat, but he could hear the echo of a frightened child. If they ever found the location of her home planet, he would be tempted to teach her pathetic excuse for a father a painful lesson.
“I will never leave you, my aria,” he promised.
“You couldn’t go far on this ship anyway,” she said lightly, but her dark eyes still looked haunted.
He suspected that it would take more than his words before she believed him, so he let the matter drop for now and smiled at her. “Tell me more about your planet and these mysterious yetis of yours.”
Chapter Eighteen
“This is Hothrest?” Isabel asked doubtfully as she stared out of their window at the frozen expanse extending from the far side of the small spaceport.
“It is,” he said, following her gaze. He had never thought to return—had never thought he would want to return—but the familiar sight caused an unexpected ache in his chest. He knew every inch of his surroundings, of the tundra stretching to the base of the first ridge of mountains, of the mountains themselves, rising tall and craggy against the pale sky.
They had landed just after dawn, which would allow sufficient time to reach the caves of his tribe before nightfall. A few snowflakes drifted down in front of the window, but he didn’t detect the signs of an approaching storm.
“I’m going to need some more clothes. Kamat’s hand-me-downs aren’t going to keep me warm.”
The worry in her voice caught his attention. “Are you sorry that we came here? I can try and find an alternative, but I think this is the best place to avoid anyone that Relkhei may send after us.”
She immediately shook her head and smiled up at him. “No, it’s fine. Really. It’s just that where I lived never had much in the way of winter weather, and this is all a little overwhelming. But beautiful,” she added hastily.
Beautiful? He considered the landscape again. It had always just been home to him, but after his time away, he could recognize the stark beauty of the icy landscape.
“I’m glad you do not find it unappealing. I think it would be best if you wait here while I go into the port and procure additional clothing for you.”
“What port?” She gestured out at the emptiness surrounding them, and he laughed.
“It’s on the other side of the ship. Come. I will show you.”
He held out his hand, but to his surprise, she hesitated. His heart rate increased. Was she already regretting her decision, despite her reassuring words? “What is wrong, my aria?”
“Nothing. It’s just that I feel as if once we leave this cabin, things are going to change. And I—I have enjoyed the trip.”
The tinge of pink that indicated embarrassment rose to her cheeks. Abandoning his timeline, he lifted her into his arms so that they were face-to-face.
“I, too, have enjoyed this trip and our time together.” Should he say more? Should he tell her how much it had meant to him? Perhaps even ask her to stay with him always? She had said nothing to indicate that she felt the same way even though she came eagerly into his arms every night. In the end, he settled for the simple truth. “We will still be together.”
The small crease between her brows disappeared, and she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. He was unable to resist returning the kiss, parting her lips to explore the delicious, tantalizing warmth of her mouth. His