Perhaps the female has something to do with that.”
Nokx exhaled his irritation and looked around; at least they were alone in the mess hall, as the youngsters had departed after Wyzak arrived. Nokx leaned on the table and picked at some of the meat that arrived. “She is... very distracting.”
“How many times did she distract you?”
Nokx snorted, shaking his head. He didn’t exactly want to discuss his mating with the Earther, but if Wyzak supported keeping her on the ship based on her relationship to Nokx, then Nokx stood a chance of convincing the captain as well. “Five, perhaps more.”
Wyzak’s eyebrows rose and he raised his beverage in salute. “Impressive. You got no rest, then?”
“Very little.”
“And the stowaway? You left her alone so soon?”
“She is locked in my quarters,” Nokx said. He checked his comms unit and verified that his door remained locked and no one attempted to disengage the locks. “Sleeping.”
Wyzak chuckled, leaning back. “Locking them up tends to backfire, mate.”
“Faros wants to put her back on the gen ship,” Nokx said slowly. He didn’t quite look at the second-in-command. Nokx didn’t even know how he felt about what he was about to say; he certainly couldn’t predict how Wyzak would react. “She may be useful to keep around, though. A variety of skills. She’s willing to work and motivated to stay.”
“A variety of skills? Do any of those include fucking?”
Nokx growled, bristling, and gripped the table so he wouldn’t lunge at the other male. “Do not talk about her like—”
“It was a test,” Wyzak said, waving his hand to dismiss what he’d asked. “Whether you were still objective when it comes to the stowaway. Clearly you’re not. You’ve joined with her as a mate?”
“Yes,” Nokx said, jaw clenched. Just the memory of sealing to her, remaining connected in the night, made him ache to be near her immediately.
“And you want to keep her?”
“Yes.”
Wyzak sighed, running his hands through his hair. “And she wants to stay—or at least she doesn’t want to go back to where she came from. Like another female on the ship is a good idea.”
“It sounds as though the ones already here are not inclined to letting this one be used as bait for Faros to attack the gen ship,” Nokx said. At least he could rely on the Earther females to stick together and defend each other, even when they were strangers. A curious trait, all things considered. “Violet was adamant yesterday. The only question is if there is enough time for her to change the captain’s mind.”
Half of Wyzak’s mouth turned up and his gaze drifted across the room. “I’m told there was a great deal of shouting in the captain’s quarters last night. Probably just as loud as all the moaning coming from yours.”
Nokx growled in warning. He wouldn’t be mocked. His female and her response to his touch would not be mocked.
The other Xaravian held up his hands, though his expression turned serious. “She was on board for less than a day, and yet now she is in your bed and has inspired your protection. Earther females are rarely so cooperative, brother.”
“I realize that,” Nokx said stiffly. He wanted to take the food back to EJ before it cooled much more, though he used the panel to get another cup of that bitter Earther drink. Violet had explained it was only good hot, though he detested it at any temperature. “She is afraid of returning to the gen ship and is looking for any support to stay on the Sraibur. I am happy to provide that support for the time being. If she stays and then things change...” He shrugged, pretending indifference even though the possibility of EJ choosing another male made his scales rattle with fury. “If things change, they change. We will hunt that haugmawt when we find it.”
“The only problem with that,” Wyzak started, then paused. He moved his chair back from the table and pushed to his feet, though he leaned down so his low voice reached Nokx with ease. “The only problem, brother, is that your scales tell me you care very much whether the female changes her preferences or not. And if she is playing you for a fool or turns her affection to someone else on this ship, it could tear apart the crew. I am not certain we can take that chance, even if you are fond of her.”
Nokx stared at the other side of the mess hall after Wyzak clapped his shoulder