by a human mate. But it still makes me uneasy. A pirate cannot be trusted. I do not want to put Kim in danger.
These pirates do not seem too unpleasant, though. As we board the ship, I see one studying navigation charts on a screen while another tries to tickle Bethiah, who looks less than thrilled. I am less afraid of a tickling sort of pirate, it seems.
The one called Mathiras leads us through the ship, pointing out necessary locations, like the mess hall, the bridge, and common room, if we wish to get to know the crew during their downtime.
"Our crew is only three at this time," Mathiras explains. "My brother Kaspar is taking over navigation duties as our sister recently mated and went to live on her mate's ship."
"Felicitations," I say absently. "Where are our quarters?"
Mathiras pauses. "I have prepared a chamber for yourself and your mate, but I did want to ask—will Bethiah be joining you? I know it is praxiian custom to share rooms, but I also know it is not human custom."
"She's not joining us," Kim cuts in quickly. "If you can find another room for her, that'd be ideal." My mate steps closer to me, pursing her lips, as if she regrets speaking.
A ghost of a smile crosses the pirate's face. "Cannot say I blame you on that one. I can prepare a second cabin for her. Come this way, then."
Kim nudges me, and I want to ask what that nudge is for. Is she wanting to comment on Bethiah? On the pirate, who seems to know a fair amount about humans? Or what? Now is not the time to ask, though, and I hold my words until Mathiras shows us our chamber. It is small, with a single narrow bed that will only barely fit my frame, and an adjoining bathroom.
"The journey will be approximately seven standard days," Mathiras explains coolly. "There are shorter routes, but we prefer to take less-traveled ones to avoid detection. We'll be making the occasional stop, but nothing you need to disembark for." He gestures at the comm panel. "If you need anything, ask. One of my brothers or I will see to it." He nods crisply and then leaves, hitting the door panel on the way out and sealing us into our room.
I set our shared bag down on the narrow bed. "This is smaller than I anticipated."
"It's fine," Kim says in a sweet voice. "Kinda reminds me of a cruise cabin back on Earth." She pokes her head into the bathroom and chuckles. "Right down to the teeny, tiny lavatory. No tub, though."
"Shower?"
"Yup, a shower." She turns around and her cheeks are flushed. I know what she is thinking. Showers are where we connect best. Showers have held some of our favorite moments together.
Perhaps we should shower again…
"Not a very large one, I'm afraid," Kim adds. She sits down on the edge of the bed and looks at our bag. "So…what do we do now?"
I shrug, looking around for somewhere to sit. There is a compact chair near the door, but not big enough to fit a full-grown praxiian male. I move the bag off the bed and onto the floor, and sit down next to her. "Are you sure you do not wish me to have another cabin? If they can find space for Bethiah, surely they can find space for me." I gesture at the ship. "I have been on a Class IV freighter before. They have multiple bays, and so this one should have more cabins, especially if they are down a crew member. Money is not an object."
Kim shakes her head. "It feels very vulnerable to be out here. I feel safer on our farm. I'd like it if you stayed…unless you're uncomfortable, of course."
"I am not uncomfortable." I take her small hand in mine and stroke her fingers. "And you are safe with me. This I promise you. I would not bring you if I thought you would be in danger. Bethiah will guard us."
My mate gives me a look. "Bethiah was being tickled by one of the crew."
I chuckle. "Very true. Do you think I would let you come to harm, though?"
"No," she says, her voice so soft as she gazes up at me. "You always take care of me, don't you?"
"You are my mate. You are my everything. Of course I take care of you." I run my thumb over her fingers, stroking her skin. "Your happiness is the