Knightqueen - Page 72

She nodded and he pressed it to the side of her neck.

“Now check Sten,” she said.

Her knightguard crossed his muscular arms. “My injuries are healing too—”

“I don’t care. You almost died a day ago.”

He grunted and sat on the bunk beside hers. He grumpily let the ensign treat him.

“Do you have any more intel on the Gek’Dragar weapon?” Nea asked.

“No.” Carys jerked her gaze off Sten. “All we know is that it uses the mining fluid. The Ti-Lore call it plorion. And that it will destroy all life on Oron.”

Nea’s face hardened. “The Gek’Dragar must have it aboard a cloaked ship to transport it. I’ll send word to Ashtin to monitor for all incoming ships to Oron.”

“Excellent. Thank you, Nea.”

“Knightguard Sten, you’re also fine,” Ensign Noth said. “I see where you had some internal injury but it’s healing up just fine.”

“I’ve assigned cabins to both of you.” Nea smiled. “I’m guessing you’d like a hot shower, and to get some decent sleep.”

Sten nodded. “Thanks, Nea. It’s imperative that Carys rests.”

Carys frowned at him. He was speaking so coolly. Like they were nothing. Just a queen and her guard.

She hated it. Her hands flexed on the edge of the bunk beneath her.

“Carys?”

Nea’s voice made her look up. Everyone was looking at her, so she guessed the knightmaster had asked her something.

“I’m sorry. I’m just tired.” She glanced at Sten again, and found his rugged face blank.

“Of course,” Nea said. “Food has already been sent to your cabins. Go. Get some sleep. We should be out of Gek’Dragar space soon. The Terran cloaking system is very effective, but still experimental. We burned it out once on the way here. So, if it fails again, I’d prefer to be back in Oronis space.”

Carys slid off the bunk. “Thank you, Nea. You risked so much to find us.”

The knightmaster bowed her head. “It’s my honor and duty.” She looked up. “Sten, can I have a moment of your time to debrief?”

“Of course,” he replied.

Carys choked back her frustration. She’d wanted to see him. Alone.

And smack him for practically ignoring her.

Had his feelings changed? Did he no longer feel what he felt when they’d been alone on Ti-Lore?

She walked alone down the corridor. He’d never actually said how he felt. She knew that he was attracted to her, but…ugh. She hated feeling like this. Uncertain and questioning everything.

She reached her assigned cabin and touched the door control. It opened.

“Welcome Knightqueen Carys,” a modulated computer voice said.

The cabin was nice and spacious. There was a tray of food resting on the built-in table and a small, adjoining washroom. Walking over, she picked at some fruit and cheese on the tray, but her stomach was too knotted for her to eat. She headed for the washroom.

Maybe a shower would help? She carefully stripped off the Ti-Lore outfit. She’d have it cleaned and keep it.

The hot shower brought tears to her eyes. It brought back memories of the heated mineral pool. She washed her hair several times, then flicked off the water and stepped into the dryer.