hell out of her.
But for now, she focused on their destination rather than on the threats made by the aide. “Where are we going?” Jenna asked, peering up at Sevith’s stern face.
“To the Avash.”
She blinked. “We’re going to your battleship, right now? How are we getting there?”
“We have a transport at our disposal on the rooftop,” Hiren answered, his long strides easily keeping up with Sevith’s determined gait.
Jenna’s eyes widened at his response. They were on their way to a shuttle? She’d seen those awe-inspiring transports blasting off into the sky from the rooftop of Drokten Main a zillion times, but she’d never thought she’d be one of those rare people invited to actually be inside of one. “We can get there and back in time for me to be home when Noah and Bea get out of school this afternoon?”
“Yes.”
“Hold on,” someone yelled from behind them.
“Uh oh,” Jenna muttered. The secretary’s entourage was catching up quickly.
Sevith headed straight for the elevator, moving fast enough to put distance between their trio and the people trying to overtake them, but not so fast as to disturb any others milling about in the hallway. Hiren pressed the elevator call button and the slick metal doors parted, allowing them to hurry inside.
“Now, wait just a minute! We need to…” one of the secretary’s aides shouted, but his words were cut off as the doors shut.
Sevith held her tightly in his arms and against his bare chest as they quietly rode the elevator to the top floor. It was a position that she really, really loved—the steady beat of his heart under her palm—and she knew it pacified him, having her so near. The strong commander noticeably relaxed a little now that they were on their way, but she could sense that Hiren still burned with a frenetic, stressful energy that worried her.
When the doors parted, the two warriors strode briskly onto the open rooftop of Drokten Main. Sevith pounded across the wide expanse, still carrying her like a damsel from a tale of old. Jenna gaped at the clear sky arching overhead and the glinting skyscrapers spiking nearby. The wind whipped around them, picking up tendrils of Jenna’s long blonde hair so they floated around her face like a makeshift halo.
A small shuttle waited mere yards away, and her heart pounded as they rushed aboard. Sevith set her down on her feet and moved directly to the command center, scowling darkly as he set course.
Jenna looked around at the interior and noticed there were at least six seats to choose from.
Hiren reached out and firmly took hold of her hand. “Sit with me.”
She smiled in agreement and a delicious shiver raced down her spine as he gently tugged her down to sit directly beside him. He reached over and secured both of their safety belts.
She looked around and swallowed hard. It was so freaking high-tech and obviously “alien.” “I’ve never been in one of these shuttles before,” she admitted. She’d lived her whole life on planet Earth, never once leaving, or thinking she’d ever have the opportunity to go beyond the clouds. Boarding this shuttle was both exciting and frightening at the same time.
“I know,” Hiren answered. “Most humans have never left their home world, and very few of you have been aboard any of our ships.” He wrapped her small hand within his large claw and met her eyes. “But, don’t worry, my Oso, this will be a short trip. The Avash is orbiting the planet. My Azi and I are both happy for the opportunity to show you where we live. Thank you for coming with us for a tour of the place we hope you will find acceptable as the new home for you and your siblings.”
“Okay,” she whispered. Damn, they were getting so much better at convincing her to stay. They’d actually been listening to her and thinking of her needs.
And meanwhile, what were their needs? Had she ever taken the time to think of what would make these two men happy?
They’d been so focused on her, and she’d been determined to remind them of her dedication to Noah and Bea. But, what did Sevith and Hiren need from her? She supposed they’d need a wife who didn’t betray them. Duh. Which she wasn’t sure she could provide for them just yet.
Guilt washed through her. But what else did they need?
They’d come from a planet where most of the women had been wiped out due to disease, which was