EvO (Darverius, House of DaR #16)

Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight

QWIN

EvO comes back in the room just moments after everyone’s translators were confirmed to be working. I notice Ember looking behind him with a frown on her face. Seconds later, she tilts her head, and it’s like she is hearing something I don’t. She puts the rest of the translators in the tub, handing them to me as she walks out the door. I lean heavily against the stretcher that Lacie is still lying on, fatigue wearing heavily on me as this day progresses.

EvO walks up beside me, pulling me against his side, and instantly. I feel better. “ Are you alright?”

“ Just tired, I think I may have pushed it a little too soon.”

“ I need to address the room. Can you hang on a little longer?”

“ Do your thing.”

He hits a button on his comm unit and a shrill goes out, turning every head that wasn’t already looking at us our way. “ Hello and welcome to the Destroyer . My name is EvO , son of Commander DaR and grandson to Elder Tyberius . I am the Captain of this battle cruiser. Second in command is my brother ViN who was with us previously. The Medic onboard is my brother LeX . I have a few rules on the Destroyer , you will follow them or be restrained to your cabin until we dock planet side, no exceptions.

“ First of all. No one goes into the restricted areas, that is, for your safety, and all on board. Second , but not least, is disrespect. I will not tolerate a single bad word spoken about my handpicked crew. Everyone on this ship has given up their previous life and dedicated themselves to rescuing you. On a lighter note, we have at least three more sets of pods to bring in if you are feeling up to it. I would appreciate some volunteers to help get the next ones settled.”

It doesn’t shock me when Ricky swings his legs off the stretcher, standing up on shaky legs. He is the first to say, “ I volunteer.”

“ Great , we just need a couple more.”

I watch as several hands go up, including Lacie who is now standing next to me.

“ If you are staying to help, please remain. We will have sustenance brought in for you. While the others will be taken to the dining area and comfort lounges until all the pods have been successfully retrieved. Once all are inside you will be given a room, this dwelling will be yours until further notice.

“ Unfortunately . Because we were not prepared for the amount of humans recovered, most of you will have to bunk with another. You will have the option of picking your room partner once everyone is inside. If you have no preferences, then see one of the crew members assisting in the dining area and they will go ahead and place you accordingly.

“ The rooms are small, but comfortable. Each bunk will have a holo pad loaded with all the updated information we have about Earth . Thanks to ANDI , there are music, books, and multiple viewing shows available for your entertainment. There will also be a place where you can address me or my crew directly with any concerns that have not been met. Please be patient before contacting me. We are all new here and are having to learn and adapt to your needs as well. Don’t simply assume we just know something. With that being said, others in my crew will be here shortly to get you settled.”

Before I can even comprehend what is happening. EvO reaches down and gently picks me up in his arms before turning to walk out of the room. I lay my head against his shoulder selfishly enjoying being back in his arms. Then it hits me. “ Hey , there is no reason for you to take me back to Medical . Those beds should be used for others that might need them.”

EvO stops in the hallway, and I can tell he is struggling to ask me something. “ We are going to be short on individual rooms, Qwin . Would you be opposed to sharing quarters with me? We seemed to have done quite well during our confinement together.” I can tell asking me has made him nervous.

“ We did do rather well, considering the circumstances.”

“ If you are concerned about the sleeping arrangements. I can slumber on one of the loungers in the adjoining room. Since the ship demands most of my time, I won’t be there often. I assure you that I will respect your privacy to the fullest extent.

Running my fingers down his cheek, I laugh. “ I am not concerned about where you sleep EvO . Hell , I think we are past all that. I’ve already used you as my personal mattress, if you remember.”

“ Yes , but I was unconscious, this would be entirely different.”

“ Are you trying to talk me out of it?”

“ Negative , the exact opposite actually, but I am struggling to find the words to keep you with me.”

My heart melted right there. “ I think you just found them. EvO , I would prefer to stay with you honestly. For some crazy reason, I enjoy being with you. So , I am warning you ahead of time. I might become a pest that you can’t fumigate out of your quarters.”

“ I would gladly chase you around just to hold you in my arms when I obtained you in my trap.”

EvO squeezes me tightly and with one of those devastating smiles he turns, heading down a hallway I have not seen yet. Stopping next to a door with a glowing panel on the side. “ Put your hand flat against the panel.”

He leans over slightly and as soon as I touch the screen I can see a light behind it scanning my hand. “ Destroyer , grant Qwin access to my personal chambers.”

“ Accepted , Captain EvO .”

The wall slides up, showing an elevator, or lift of some kind. EvO walks in and the moment that wall slides back down. We are pulled so quickly upwards; that I grab onto him. It only lasts a couple seconds, but my stomach is in my throat. “ Damn , I’ll take the stairs from now on.”

EvO laughs at my reaction. “ You will come to enjoy the lifts, as this is just one of many. The Destroyer has several decks, and this is the easiest way to get around.”

The wall opens back up, and when EvO steps out. I gasp as the sight before me. The entire area is open to the view outside, like space is all around you. Several large couches sit in a sunken area surrounding what appears to be an open fire pit.

“ Is that a fire pit?”

“ Our name for it is Hearthside , but yes it is.”

Wiggling out of his arms, EvO lets me down, so that I can explore on my own. As I walk through, there is no missing the biggest bed I have ever seen sitting right in the middle of the floor. An office area is tucked into a small room off to the right, and there are several other doorways. However , the rooms are too dark to tell what’s behind them. I didn’t realize EvO was following me until he spoke.

“ The replicator and the sustenance area are off to your left and the refreshing chamber is over there.”

“ Nice crib you have here. I can see there are a few benefits to being the captain, unless everyone has this type of space.”

“ There are four main crew chambers on the top deck. ViN , Rafe , and LeX occupy the other ones. Each of us has a separate entrance, but you can get to this room through multiple lifts on the Destroyer . You simply tell her where you want to go and the lift will maneuver through the tunnels needed. You are one of the few that now has access to this section.”

“ This place is sweet EvO , are you sure you want me to stay here with you?”

“ I would not have suggested it if I had not. I have some time before I must leave. Would you like to use the Ionizer while I make us something to eat?”

“ That sounds amazing, actually. I just wish I had clothes that fit and some clean panties to put on.”

“ I will contact Ember and see if she can advise me on obtaining you some more appropriate garments, as I believe mine will swallow you.”

“ Yes , the vest you seem to favor would have my girls hanging out all over the place.”

“ Girls ?”

Qwin motions to her breast. “ In that case, maybe I will suggest my clothes.”

“ Are you flirting with me?”

“ Yes , I believe I am. Honestly , you are everything I have ever wanted in a female and if I could hide you away to keep all to myself, I would for all time.”

Here I am, standing in the middle of his room. Wearing baggy clothes that don’t fit me, no makeup on, and my hair is frizzy all over and he likes it. Shaking my head in disbelief, “ You know there are prettier ones out there than me.”

He steps right up to me, running a long purple claw down my cheek. “ I disagree with that statement.”

“ You only feel this way, because you were forced to be with me for a couple of days, and you almost died to save me.”

“ Are your feelings for me based on the same reasons?”

“ Well , no … Maybe I like you simply because you’re my favorite color and you smell good.”

“ Qwin , I will accept any of your reasons, as long as they are favorable. I can see your weariness, go get cleaned up, and then we will eat.”

I don’t argue, I simply slip into the room he pointed at. Closing the door behind me, I slide down the wall. Banging my head back against it, smiling like a kid who had just been given a new toy. My heart races as I replay the words he just said. Who would have thought in the middle of losing everything. I would find someone like him.