Starcrossed - Bianca D'Arc Page 0,52
replaced. It is not something done often among my people, but my family had access to experimental medical facilities while my mother lived. She was a medical researcher. When I was maimed as a teen, she did all she could to put me back together.”
Krysta’s spine went rigid with shock, and she turned slowly to face him, meeting his gaze. “You know about my arm?”
“I thought I recognized something familiar in the way you moved and the way the other women worked with you during those gym practices, though I’m sure nobody else would suspect. But then, you incapacitated Navigator Jeviar. All the men talked about it. No one has ever seen such a strong female, even among our race.” His eyes twinkled as he made light of something that had worried her to no end. His casual treatment of her differences made her feel much more at ease. Then, a thought occurred to her.
“But you sparred with Henny. If you’ve got cybernetics too, you could’ve walloped her. Why didn’t you?”
“I have not the finesse with my implants. Your armsmaster is simply too good and too fluid to succumb to brute strength, no matter how powerful.”
Krysta felt herself warming to this devastatingly honest man. “She is very talented. I’ll never be half the fighter she is.”
“Half her skill is more than many warriors ever achieve, so you should feel proud. You are nimble and strong. I’ve watched your practices. You never rely on the enhancements of your arm. I suspect it is your secret weapon, no?”
Krysta actually laughed, feeling that comfortable with him. “You’re right. I keep it in reserve for when it’s needed. Otherwise, I like to be like everyone else.”
“Ah, yes,” Xeer nodded. “I understand completely. Ensign,” he seemed almost shy for a moment, “I would very much like to see you again. Perhaps, you would honor me by sharing a meal as soon as our mutual duties allow it?”
Was he asking her on a date? Krysta could hardly believe it.
“I’d like that,” she said, trying to sound casual, fighting the butterflies that started winging around in her stomach.
His eyes lit up, and he seemed encouraged by her shy response. “I live in the palace barracks, so I will be nearby. I’ve heard they will house you all in the palace, and I believe I’ll be assigned to arrange security for some of the ladies of your crew when they venture out on the grounds. I’d like you to feel free to call upon me at any time. It would be my pleasure to show you around the palace.”
“I’d like that, too.” She sounded like a broken recording, but the butterflies were getting more active the longer he looked at her with those piercing dark eyes. Not only was he handsome, but kind and understanding, as well. And cybernetic. Here was a man who not only understood but shared her affliction. “I don’t know what they have scheduled for us, but I’d like to talk more with you, Commander Xeer.”
“Please call me Noln. It is my first name. Xeer is my family name.”
“But you outrank me.” Krysta could have bitten her tongue for pointing out such an obvious thing and ruining the mood. But he laughed, putting her at ease again.
“When we are on duty, I will be happy to give you orders, and my first order would be to call me by name. May I use your name, as well?”
His tone softened, and his gaze held hers with… Was that hope? Krysta felt like she was tumbling headfirst into the breakers, being swept out to sea by the look in his beautiful, mysterious eyes.
“Yes, Noln. I like the way my name sounds with your accent. It makes it seem special.”
“As special as you are, Krysta.” He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles as she watched in wonder. He turned her hand over and slipped a small length of data tape into her palm. “My private com nodes. I hope you will make use of them if ever you’d like company.”
He’d slipped her his number! Never had a man done something so brazen or intimate, no matter how hard she’d dreamed of just such a thing. And she hadn’t even stepped foot off the ship, yet. Would all the jit’suku men be as willing to court a woman with her defects? Judging by the trip here, it seemed unlikely. The members of the jit crew had been respectful, and though