Mathiras (Corsair Brothers 4)

“You could definitely stay with us,” I agree. “We have room for you on the Little Sister and wherever we go next.”

Now Alice turns to look at me with a frown. “Wait, what do you mean, wherever we go next?”

Oh, that’s right. I’m not supposed to talk about plans for the future until Mathiras talks to Lord va’Rin. So I flutter my lashes at Alice. “What?”

“What what?”

“That’s what I said.”

She gives me an irritated look. “You can tell me about that later. For now, let’s focus on Dora.” Alice turns her attention to the other human woman. “You know you don’t owe Bethiah anything, right?”

Dora’s expression grows panicked as Sterre moves toward her and begins to sniff her feet. She shoots me a helpless look, pleading for me to save her.

“It’s okay,” I promise. “Sterre likes women. She thinks we’re all her kittens. And if you want to stay on the Little Sister with us, we promise you’ll be safe. Matty and his brothers are the best men in the galaxy.”

Dora bites her lip, her tension easing a bit when Sterre gets bored and turns back to Alice. “That’s just it. I’m kind of sick of men for now. You guys are really nice and all, but I feel like Bethiah understands me. She’s really kind and easy to talk to. I feel safe with her.” She smiles at us. “It’s not sexual. She’s just a good friend.”

“Does Bethiah know that?” Alice asks bluntly. “Because what goes on in Bethiah’s mind and what goes on in normal minds are two very, very different things.”

“I trust her,” Dora says simply. “She wouldn’t force me into anything. And she says she has a boyfriend, remember?”

The look on Alice’s face turns incredulous. “You think Bethiah is the type to be a one-man gal?”

“Also,” I point out, “I’m not sure Bethiah’s boyfriend knows he’s her boyfriend. Mathiras has mentioned that he’s actually trying to get away from her most of the time. And she stole his ship. That doesn’t sound like romance to me.”

Now Alice turns to me. “Because you’re the big romance expert, Miss Thing? Which reminds me, how are things with you and Mathiras?”

“Better today,” I tell her, beaming. “Matty is more relaxed now that I jerked him off. He’s still stressing, though, just not as badly.”

Alice closes her eyes and sighs deeply, while Dora bites back a chuckle.

It’s true, though. Mathiras seemed more like his regular self this morning. Somewhat stressed, of course, and with a lot on his mind, but he cuddled me and rubbed me between my thighs, teasing me to an orgasm before he headed off to the bridge. It makes me feel good, knowing that I can comfort him. Like I’m vital to him, just like to Jade and Alice.

Moreso, actually. Because I love my sisters and they’re a comforting presence, but if Mathiras is in danger, I lose myself. So maybe not the same at all.

“If it’s all right,” Dora speaks up in her soft voice, “I’m not sure I want to stay on board here. Everyone is very nice but I’m comfortable with Bethiah. She said she’s not going to do pirate stuff with me on board and that sounds rather appealing to me. She said she knows a place where I’ll be safe and she’s going to take me there.”

Alice just shakes her head, leaning back on the bed and regarding Dora curiously. “You know we can take you there, too.”

“I know. But I’d rather go with Bethiah.” And her cheeks get a little pink. “Like I said, I trust her.”

Dora’s words make me curious, though. I glance over at Alice. “Speaking of corsair stuff…how do you feel about it?”

For a moment, Alice’s expression becomes combative. “I’m staying with Kaspar. That’s all there is to it. If he wants to be a space pirate, then I’ll be his pirate booty. Or something.”

“But don’t you miss the Star?”

“Miss the Star?” Alice gives me a weird look. “Do you mean, do I miss the smell of sour air filters and eating noodles for months and months on end? Do I miss worrying which part of the ship was going to break down on us first? Do I miss that? Fuck no, I do not.”

“I know, and I don’t miss that stuff,” I say softly. “But it was home. It felt safe and comfortable. It was nice to just sit around with all of us and enjoy the day.”

Alice peers at me. “There’s something you’re not telling me about, Helen. What’s going on?”

Am I not as subtle as I think? Maybe I’m not. “Would you be averse to living on a quiet station somewhere? Kind of like what Jerrok and Sophie have?”

Her gaze goes to the carinoux, pacing the tight quarters of her apartments. Then, her hand goes to her belly. “I do like Sophie’s garden. And it seems nice for her carinoux.”