Part 19 (2/2)
As Fain rounded up Vega and War, he realized that when they weren't on duty, Gavarian and Talyn were more akin to family than friends or coworkers. They actually argued like two brothers.
”Do I have to separate you two?” Fain asked as they almost came to blows over the last piece of cake in the cafeteria-style restaurant.
”Nah.” Gavarian reached for a slice of pie. ”Let fat a.s.s have it. He has a female. If Felicia doesn't mind being crushed by his gargantuan weight, who am I to deprive him?”
”At least I have a female.”
s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g his face up, Gavarian silently mocked his words like an angry teen with his father.
”Why aren't you married?” Fain followed Gavarian toward a table. Given his social standing and rank, it was unusual for an Andarion of Gavarian's age to be single.
Sadness darkened his gaze. ”My wife was killed in battle against The Tavali two years ago. My mother keeps nagging me to remarry. But I'm not ready.”
”I'm sorry.”
He shrugged as he found a vacant table for them and set his tray down. ”You didn't know.”
An awful feeling went through Fain as he glanced to Talyn's leg. ”It wasn't...”
”No. Different fight. I was grounded by then. I tried to get her to ground out with me, but she didn't want a command position. She lived to fly.”
”Now he spends his time with the cheapest females he can find. Which is why I give him a hard time over it.” Talyn set his tray down by Gavarian before he went to help Vega and War with their food.
Gavarian nodded at Fain. ”Yeah, I prefer no commitments. Those females don't want emotional ties any more than I do. We share an even exchange of goods... if you know what I mean.”
As the kids returned with their trays, Talyn handed Fain a to-go box and drinks. ”I'll make sure they both get back to their condo and are locked in.”
”Thank you.” Fain ruffled War's hair. ”You two need anything before I go?”
”We're okay, Paka.”
He glanced over to Vega and arched a brow.
She stood up to hug him. ”Sorry about earlier.”
”No problem.” Fain leaned down to hug her. She kissed his cheek before she pulled away.
”Goodnight, Paka.”
” 'Night. Be kind to Talyn and Gavarian. Don't make them crazy.”
Fain left them, but paused at the exit to look back and watch as they joked and ate together. A strange warmth spread through him at the sight. G.o.ds, how he hated the years he'd missed with Talyn and Galene as a family.
Sick to his stomach over it, he headed back to the command center where Galene was taking a status report from the Andarion prime commander for the day. She was impressive in her role of elite military ruler. Unlike his mother, Galene wasn't condescending or belittling with her leaders.h.i.+p. She held an inner calm that allowed her to listen and take charge with a bold confidence that was contagious. She was absolutely inspiring. How he envied her that ability.
Personally, he was an a.s.shole. He rubbed everyone the wrong way and reveled in that ability most of the time.
As she finished her call, she turned toward him with an arched brow. ”Something wrong?”
He smiled. ”Just in awe of your military skills. You remind me a lot of Hermione Dane.”
”Ryn's mother?”
Nodding, Fain closed the distance between them. ”And yes, it's a big compliment from me.” He held the box out toward her. ”I brought you some dinner.”
”Oh!” She sucked her breath in and bit her lip in the s.e.xiest move he'd ever seen. ”Thank you! I'm actually starving.”
So was he, and it wasn't for food. d.a.m.n, it annoyed him how she could reduce him back to the days of insecure teenage stupidity with nothing more than one simple coy look. It wasn't fair that she had so much power over him and he didn't appear to have any effect on her at all.
She took her food to eat at the small desk where she could monitor the station and communications.
”Mind if I join you?”
Returning to her seat, Galene scowled at his question as she unpacked her food. ”I a.s.sumed you would.”
He sat down beside her and fumbled in his own box.
A light, adorable smile played at the edges of her lips.
”What?” he asked, dreaded its meaning.
”Talyn must have picked this out.”
”How do you know?”
”It's disgustingly healthy. He still eats like he's training for the Ring. Even Felicia complains that he's permanently damaged his taste buds from it.”
Laughing, Fain held his food out toward her. ”Want to trade?”
She peered at it suspiciously at first, then nodded eagerly. ”I forgot what a gourmet you were. You still cook?”
”Not as much as I did. It's hard to come by and keep spices in s.p.a.ce. And you can forget baking on a cargo carrier.”
She shared a bite of her food with him. ”I'm sorry.”
”For what?”
”That you can't do something I know gives you pleasure.” She twirled her fork in the noodles and took a bite.
Fain sat quietly as painful emotions choked him. No one had ever known him better than Galene.
Not even Dancer.
Because she had never judged or mocked his dreams, he'd shared things with her that he would have died before he told anyone else. And it made him remember the things she used to do when she was young. The way she lived so voraciously, as if trying to suck the very marrow from the bones of life.
”You still talk to your sisters?”
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