“Just some bruising.”
“The android can speed the healing of them. I’d be happy to escort you.”
“I’m fine. Does food magically appear on this ship, or is it normal for one of the crew to deliver meals to my table?”
He stepped forward suddenly, almost bumping into her. She moved back to avoid their bodies colliding. He inhaled deeply. “It was Midgel.”
The doors sealed at his back, closing him inside the cabin with her. “How can you tell?”
He reached up and tapped his nose. “Her scent is faint but present. Nara probably asked her to do that after the day you’ve had. Did you feel like eating the evening meal with the crew?”
“That was nice of them. And no, I wasn’t up for company.”
“There’s a food replicator in here.” He stepped around her. “Did anyone show you how to use one?”
“No.”
She followed him as he moved toward one of the walls that she guessed passed for a spaceship kitchen, since it had a sink and some cabinets she hadn’t explored yet. There were also two weird-looking machines.
He pointed to the largest one. “This is the food replicator. It’s easy to figure out, once you get the hang of it. Cathian has top-of-the-line ones, but they aren’t stocked the way they should be, since they have Midgel aboard and they enjoy fresh-cooked meals. Food replicators are great for snacks and drinks, though. It’s voice activated.” He pointed to the other machine. “That is basically for trash. Put your used dishes inside and it breaks down the components for the replicator to make more when you want to eat.”
He touched the food replicator. “Two cudda, cold.” He dropped his hand, his gaze fixed on her. “Just touch and speak. It’s easy.”
There was a slight hum, and seconds later, two glasses slid down from the underside of the machine. They were filled with a red-tinted liquid. He lifted them, holding one out to her. “It’s a celebratory drink. I always celebrate with my team after a successful mission.”
She took the chilled drink. “Is it strong?”
He gave a nod. “Nara drinks it. She said one gives her a good feeling, but never drink more than three. I chose cudda because it’s one of her favorites.”
“Got it.” She took a sip, smiling. “It tastes like a sweet wine!”
He took a bigger drink of his. “You did well today. Thank you.”
“How is Crath?”
“He’s doing surprisingly well. He’ll quickly recover from his ordeal. Tryleskians are tough, and we do heal fast.”
“I meant up here.” She tapped her temple before taking another sip.
“He’s highly disappointed by our father’s actions yet again. We all are. He didn’t wish to believe he was capable of being that dishonorable.”
“Fathers can be assholes.”
He arched an eyebrow.
“I told you what Earth is like. I never met mine, and I’m sure he never gave a second thought about leaving my mom pregnant after he walked away. That’s how some men are. My mom was just sex to him. Fortunately, she could afford to keep me.”
A muscle in his jaw flexed. “Was it forced?”
She shook her head. “She was curious about what it would be like to have sex, and she found an attractive man who was willing to do her for free. So—here I am. Really romantic, right?” She rolled her eyes. “Most of the guys on Earth who will have sex without payment are unattractive or such assholes no one would want to touch them…unless they’re seriously desperate to have a child, or maybe to get treated better at work and paid more.”
He quickly drank the contents of his glass, slamming it down. She startled, wary of his angry expression. His golden eyes were flashing predatory again.
“I do not like anything I’ve heard about the males from your planet. Offspring are a blessed gift and should be rejoiced when they are created. The concept of not caring about that infuriates me.”
“So you stick around after you have sex, to make sure a woman doesn’t get pregnant?”
“I’m a Tryleskian.”
She arched her eyebrows. “What does that mean?”
“We have to go into heat to be fertile.”
“Right. Nara mentioned something about that. I take it there are no little Cavas kids out there?”
He shook his head. “There are older widowed females from my planet who volunteer for high-ranking military officers, to share our heat cycles. They are past their breeding years. I’ve always turned to them.”
She almost choked on her drink.
He studied her. “Why are your eyes wide and your mouth hanging open?”
“Sorry.” She stopped gaping at him. “Most guys wouldn’t admit to doing some old woman. That’s all.” Her gaze ran up and down his body. She wasn’t going to mention he must have been super gentle. He could probably accidently break bones on an elderly woman.
He scowled. “They aren’t old. They are older. There’s a difference. Are all your females unappealing after their breeding years?”
She thought about that. “No. You’re right. I’ve met some very pretty women in their fifties on Earth. I just didn’t peg you as being drawn to cougars.” A laugh escaped her. “It shouldn’t come as a surprise, though. You look like you’re part cat.”
He tilted his head a little, not looking amused.
“Shit. I’m sorry if I’ve insulted you. I didn’t mean to. Aliens are still new to me. I need to learn how to stop blurting out what I’m thinking. It’s been a long day, and I’m tired. I probably remind you of some kind of animal from your planet.”
“You don’t.”
“Well…that’s good.”
“I choose older females past their breeding years to avoid having to life-lock to one if she ends up accidentally carrying my litter.”
“You have to marry a woman if you get her pregnant?”
“Yes. Those females are tested to make certain they aren’t fertile, and then are introduced to high-ranking military members before the males go into heat. It’s to make certain they are attracted to us.”
She managed to keep her mouth from dropping open but she couldn’t remain silent. “Mutual attraction is important, I guess.”
“Not to a male in heat. But we want the females to be happy with the experience or they won’t volunteer again. The military heavily depends on the widows to get us through our heat, since none of us are life-locked. Long-term service requires all our time. To have a family would diminish our dedication, since a family would come first.”
“None of your high-ranking military personnel are married?”
“No. Our commitment to protect Tryleskian must be our top priority. Once a male life-locks, he may remain in service, but his duties are limited to what can be done while staying on our home planet.”
“Is it the same for your women?”
He chuckled. “There are none in the military.”
“That sounds sexist.”
He gave her a confused look but it cleared quickly. “I believe I understand. Nara and I once had this discussion. Our females have no desire to fight or train. Nor do they wish to leave our home world, unless it’s a short vacation. They are coddled and pampered. It’s what they desire. I’ve never met one who wished for more. I would support one of my sisters if she wished to leave the planet or to take a job. None of them do. They find a male to life-lock with and desire only to raise their litters.”
“What about once they grow too old to have more kids? Not the widows, but the ones still married?”
“They enjoy the litters of their litters by helping to care for them.”
Jill considered that. “I bet they do have a lot of grandbabies, if your kind has multiple births.”
“Yes. If grandbabies is an Earth term for the children of their children.”
She nodded, then gestured toward the table. “Would you like to sit?”
He hesitated. “You’ve admitted you’re tired. I only came to check on you and share a quick drink. I’ve done so.”