Jax lips twitched as he made breakfast for the two of us at the most ancient of stoves possible. I was surprised that he even knew how to use it. “Think the opposite of underground.”
My brows lifted high on my forehead. “We’re in a hov-craft?” Our people had been trying forever to make living quarters that hovered far from the ground. They hadn’t succeeded yet.
He nodded, his dark curly hair in disarray from sleep. Like mine. “It’s the Plumas’ personal hov-craft. From what Stiller told me, they use it in emergencies. It has a cloaking device so no one can find them.”
I stared. “We’re here because of me.”
“Most would want to kill you, yes.”
“Because I’m Soul to the other Plumas.”
“Exactly.”
I tapped my fingers on the bar. “If that is true, why would they let Stiller on here?”
“He’s their best friend. And the leader of their military force.”
“So they trust him.”
Jax rolled his eyes. “Of course.”
“And you?”
His lips twitched before he glanced back to the bacon he was frying. “Yes. With my life.”
Sitting on a plush black kitchen stool and leaned on the bar, I snorted. “So you’re bonded as deeply as a normal Vaq. Even though you’re Human?”
“We are.” His shoulders lifted and fell easily. But he cursed when a spray of oil caught his hand.
“Jax?” Stiller shouted loudly – abruptly – from the other room.
Jax glanced over his shoulder at me. “See?” Then, he leaned toward the doorway, and answered in a normal tone, “I’m fine. Just the perils of cooking.”
“Be careful,” Stiller shouted, sounding relieved, before his low voice could be heard once more speaking quietly with the Plumas. It sounded as if they were arguing, but respectfully, about what to do with me. I couldn’t pick up any exact words, except for my name every so often.
I played absently with my shirtsleeves – or rather, Pluma Creo’s oversized shirt that I had slept in as a nightgown – that smelled vaguely of the Pluma. Like lavender soap and spiced cologne. My voice was quiet when I finally stated – in English, “You’re changing so much.” I shook my head, my black locks of hair tangling around my shoulders. “I’ve lost so much, Jax. I don’t want to lose you too.”
His grey gaze bore into the side of my face. But with my stomach in knots, I couldn’t look at him.
“Braita, you won’t lose me,” Jax whispered, also in English. His familiar tone and gentle words made my throat tightened painfully. My eyes burned when he walked to my side and gently placed two fingers under my chin – touching my skin. When I started to pull back, he raised both hands and quickly cupped my cheeks, holding my face steady. He bent at the waist, placing his face directly in front of mine. Still speaking softly, he murmured, “You’ll never lose me. Never. We both live on this planet. We’re only a borderline away from each other, and since we don’t wear the mark of the west or the east, we can cross it easily. I planned to come and see you. I had already talked with Stiller about it.”
So close, he breathed, “I couldn’t lose you either.”
My chin trembled at his honest word. “I’m sorry how I acted yesterday. I’ve just missed you.”
His grey eyes softened further, and he leaned forward an inch. And he kissed me.
I stilled completely, my entire body shocked solid as his warm lips landed on mine.
It was quick. Just the barest of a brush. But I didn’t know what to do. With my eyes wide, I gasped, and my cheeks burned with heat. “Jax…”
His thumbs brushed my cheeks in a soothing motion while his eyes gazed directly into mine. “There’s nothing wrong with a sweet kiss,” he whispered, keeping his lips only an inch away from mine. “We are friends–”
“Aw, shit,” Stiller’s voice rumbled from the doorway.
I jerked, and we quickly glanced in his direction.
Stiller’s expression was utterly blank, but his gleaming violet eyes were large on his face.
Both Plumas were just there, abruptly standing behind him. Glowing dark and crystal blue, eyes peered at us with such intensity that my cheeks flamed even further. Their gazes instantly narrowed, turning death-like in their strength.
Jax quickly pulled his hands away and straightened to his full height. “This is not what it looks like. I swear it.”
I jumped from my chair when the Plumas started charging into the room. I threw my hands up, wondering how the hell I had even gotten into this mess. “He’s telling the truth–” I grunted, when Pluma Creo instantly blurred behind me, slipped a muscled arm around my stomach, and picked me straight up off the ground, holding my back against his chest. “Wait a damn second.”
“Shut up!” Pluma Moir barked, standing now between Jax and I. In the next second, he turned his glare on Jax. Stiller took three steps forward, pulling Jax a step behind him, but kept his expression as blank as it had been, even in the wrath of his fuming Plumas. Pluma Moir ignored Stiller, and bent ever so slightly, putting his face at Jax’s level, hissing, “Her Plumas will feel her emotions, you fucking idiot.”
I blinked, but wiggled inside Pluma Creo’s hold. “What?” I couldn’t feel theirs.
When neither Plumas spoke, both still staring daggers at Jax, Stiller cleared his throat, and stated quietly, “The rings they wear from your Cold Mark allow them to feel your emotions.” He took another step in front of Jax when Pluma Moir took a threatening step forward, but he kept his tone even. “So what my half did was…unwise.” He bowed his head respectfully to his Plumas. “Which I’m sure he is now regretting.”
Jax didn’t appear like he was going to apologize any time soon. He proved as much, muttering, “Dammit, it wasn’t that type of kiss. I was just…” His dark brows puckered. “Well, I just missed her. And she missed me. That was all.”
I cleared my throat, trying to hold on to as much dignity as I could, being held as I was. “And my Plumas no longer wear their rings. I have them.” Hidden. I had wondered what those damned things did. Now I knew.
Comically, all of the Mian inside the room jolted and stared at me incredulously.
“What?” I asked, noticing the hostility had immediately lowered with my previous words.