Chapter 71: Chapter 71

Raven

It took longer than Raven had anticipated, but finally, all the babies were asleep. Arenk had drifted off too, just as the last one had closed their eyes. She finished tucking them in, then slipped out of the room, careful not to make a sound.

She found Dhol at the helm of the ship, still holding his post as the new landscape of Nadia unfolded before them. It was nothing like she’d imagined. The books hadn’t done it justice. It was rural, almost untouched by industrialization.

“I can take over so you can get some sleep,” Raven offered, sliding into the co-pilot seat.

“I’ll sleep once we’re far from this planet. That’s if you still want to leave at all,” Dhol replied, his gaze fixed on the glass.

“I do. But if you’re having second thoughts, I understand,” Raven said.

“I’m as committed to you as I’ve always been,” Dhol assured her.

“It’s not just me anymore.”

“I know. I brought them into the world,” he said, finally turning to look at her.

Raven wasn’t sure how to ask if any of them would be a part of the twins’ lives, to be fathers to them. They were risking everything to help her escape. Was it too much to ask for more?

“Thank you,” Raven said, her attention shifting to the passing trees.

“I told you, you never have to thank me, Flower,” he said as the ship descended into a field.

He pressed a few buttons, and the ship quieted down. Dhol swiveled his chair to face her. They stared at each other for a moment. His lips parted, then quickly closed again.

“Do you mind fixing my hair? I want to look decent when we meet the prince,” he said.

Raven fetched the necessary items and began to comb and detangle his hair, the quiet hum of the ship filling the silence. Dhol tapped the arm of his seat, fidgeting.

“Did you want a book?” she asked, glancing at his face.

“No. There’s something I want to ask you. Something I was trying to say the night at the lake,” he said.

Raven waited for him to continue, but he remained silent.

“What is it?”

“Will—will you be my mate?”

For a moment, she thought she’d misheard him. But then she saw his reflection in the windshield. He was waiting for an answer.

Her answer was obvious, but her heart was being pulled in more than one direction.

“Do you need time to think about it? It’s customary for a person to answer,” he said.

“What about Arenk and Laro?” Raven asked.

“Our situation is unique, and if they wish to make the same commitment, I would be fine with it,” he said.

“Yes.” She smiled.

He held up a knife. “It’s also customary for a male to cut his hair once mated. Once we enter space, we can hold the proper ceremony.”

Raven took the blade. “How short should I cut it?”

“I prefer a longer top and shorter sides, if you can manage.”

“I’m going to miss doing your hair,” she said, cutting a section.

“It’ll grow back with time. Then, I’ll keep it long if you wish.”

As she finished cutting his hair, footsteps echoed behind them. Raven glanced over her shoulder and found Laro staring. She was more surprised that his hair was missing.

“You’re up. How did you sleep?” Raven asked.

“Good.”

“I like your hair,” she said.

He’d chopped it short all around, almost like a buzz cut. It looked good on him. Dhol inspected him from his seat and smirked. Laro must’ve had the same idea as Dhol.

“Thank you,” he said, rubbing his head. “A change is always good.”

Dhol stood from his chair. “I’m going to get cleaned up before we head to the palace.”

Raven started to collect the hair. Laro kneeled and helped, if you could call it that. He was watching her more than anything. Every time she glanced in his direction, he would look away.

“What’s on your mind?” she asked.

“What? Nothing,” he said, shaking his head.

“Okay,” she said, heading down the hall.

She tossed out the hair except for a lock. Raven went into the room and found Arenk and the babies still sleeping. She was amazed that his snoring didn’t wake them up.

Taking a book off the dresser, she placed the lock between the pages.

“Is there space for another?” Laro whispered.

His relaxed body language as he leaned on the door frame didn’t match his tone. Even as a whisper, she could hear his nervousness.

“There’s space for all of you,” she said.

He extended a braided lock of hair. “Be mine.”

If she hadn’t been sure that night on the roof, she was sure now. Laro indeed blushed. As she reached out to accept his favor, he grabbed her by the wrist. Laro tied it on her like a bracelet.

“Your answer?” he said.

She smiled and kissed him. He pulled back and examined her for a moment, then went back to kissing her.

“I will make sure that our unit is happy.”

“We will together,” she said, placing a peck on his hand.

Laro led her from the room and closed the door behind them. They entered another room, which she assumed was his until she saw her favorite stuffed beast on the bed.

“While we’re in the city, I’ll go to a few shops and get beds for the younglings and more supplies. Once everything calms down, we should all talk about how things will work from now on, with all the changes,” he said.

“Yeah,” she said, looking around the room.

The closet and dresser were filled with her clothes, and her books piled in a box. The books would definitely come in handy once the kids got older.

Her mind wandered to the prince and if he would still be willing to make a deal. As long as they had a radio, she should be able to still get in contact with someone.

Commander Cole was the kind of man who always had an ace up his sleeve. He thrived on the thrill of having another country under his control. He was a master at playing both sides of the field.