Endosymbiosis

49. Heart

"We want the same end." I whispered and Korrok sent me a sharp smile, dangerous and, oddly, comforting... Like a friend's smile.

"And finally the same means, apparently."

I nodded.

"Let's get our Empire back."

• • • ֍ • • •

At some point Kadi and I were left alone, with just a few feet of floor separating us. His eyes fell on mine as if I were a novelty and he ran a hand through his hair, coming slowly closer with a smile ready to win me over.

"You come here often?" Kadi purred.

"Sometimes." I shook my head. "How about you?

"Once or twice. But every time I stepped in here I thought it was a mistake... Until now."

"Has my presence made that much of an impact?"

"Enough to get me across the hall. And maybe a galaxy..." I lowered my eyes shyly. "But now I think I'm going to sleep."

"Is the party not up to your standards?"

"I can't see a reason to celebrate..."

"Then I'm going to sleep too, so I don't make you jealous of how much fun I'm having."

Kadi laughed softly.

"Don't deprive yourself for me, Doxy. Enjoy the party."

"How can I enjoy it if the party ends when you leave?" He stared at me. "We have a reason to celebrate, Kadi... That we are still alive." And I was tired of feeling miserable. "The Aulics tried with all their might and still they couldn't defeat us. This is proof that we can win this war, Kadi, even if it takes a millennia, a thousand battalions, a million Venernas... We will always rise again."

A soft smile spread across his face.

"You should help Korrok with his motivational speeches."

"Does that mean I managed to motivate you to stay?"

"No, I'm sorry, Doxy... I'm still going back to my ship... But you can join another party if you like... My own."

I raised an eyebrow.

"No food, no drinks, no music... What would be there for fun?"

Kadi approached slowly, giving me goose bumps just from his gaze.

"Me."

Tempting... But I didn't know if I should want what could so easily be taken from me.

"I don't think you want to be alone..." He speculated, coming dangerously close to the truth. "And I won't push you away again..." His fingers slipped into mine. "This time, my doors are completly open to you."

"And what do you plan to do with me if I go in?"

"I'm an improviser..." He shrugged and bent down to whisper in my ear: "But I already know that sleep is not in the plan..." I gasped and heard the words escape the lascivious curve of his lips: "Come meet my dreams, Doxy... And be by my side the next morning."

How could I say no?

We fled with silent smiles to Kadi's ship, parked inside the larger vehicle in a hall filled with translucent windows to the stars beyond. I closed the ship's door behind me, turning the party conversations into a distant shadow of amusement, and Kadi pressed against me. His hand wrapped around the back of my neck and lifted my head so I fell into the intensity of his eyes and the wickedness of his smile.