Page 6 of Klaz
Syrena’s crest quivered, her curiosity piqued. “Oh? Do tell.”
I turned to look up at Klaz, and for a moment, I forgot this was all an act. His thumb traced small circles on my hip, and I smothered a gasp.
“Well,” I said, forcing myself to focus on the con, “they say the stars align differently in space. Makes for... unexpected connections.”
Klaz played along perfectly, looking down at me with a softness that belied his imposing stature. “Indeed. I never expected to find someone like Cinta on this voyage.”
The raw emotion in his voice caught me off guard. Was he really that good an actor, or was there something more to it? I pushed the thought aside, turning back to our marks.
“So, what are you looking forward to the most on the trip?” I asked, steering the conversation.
Zax’lorth puffed up his chest. “The Stellar Frost Gala, of course. It’s the event of the season.”
“Me too!” I gushed. “I’ve heard it’s absolutely breathtaking.”
As we chatted about the upcoming gala, I noticed Klaz’s grip on me never wavered. His touch was warm, solid, reassuring in a way I hadn’t expected. It was becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate on the con with him so close.
“You simply must join us for the viewing,” Syrena insisted. “We have a prime spot reserved.”
“That’s so kind of you,” I replied. “We’d be honored.”
The conversation flowed easily, and soon we were all laughing and sharing stories. The Xarians slowly warmed up to us - to me, certainly, but even to Klaz. His dry wit and unexpected charm were winning them over.
As we discussed our plans after the cruise, Zax’lorth’s eyes lit up. “Say, why don’t you two join us for a solar cruise on our yacht once we disembark? We could show you the rings of Sastreus Prime.”
I feigned hesitation, glancing up at Klaz. “Oh, that sounds wonderful, but I’m not sure if our schedules will allow...”
“We’d love to,” Klaz interrupted, surprising me. “If we can make it work.”
I nodded, smiling. “Yes, we’ll certainly try. That’s so generous of you.”
After exchanging contact information and promises to meet up for the gala, Klaz and I excused ourselves. As we walked away, his arm still around my waist, I felt a curious mix of exhilaration and unease. The game had gone perfectly, but something felt... different.
“Shall we head to the promenade?” Klaz suggested. “It should be quieter there.”
I nodded, not trusting my voice. As we strolled through the opulent corridors of the Empyrean Explorer, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was in over my head.
And for once, it had nothing to do with the con.
KLAZ
My hopes for getting away from the crowd were dashed.
The promenade bustled with activity as Cinta and I made our way through the crowd. Passengers milled about, their excited chatter filling the air. I kept close to Cinta, hyperaware of her presence beside me.
“Look at that,” Cinta breathed, pointing at the vast viewing window.
The stellar frost had begun to form, delicate crystalline structures blossoming against the backdrop of space. Tendrils of ice spiraled outward, creating intricate patterns that shifted and changed before our eyes.
“It’s beautiful,” I agreed, but my gaze was drawn to Cinta’s face. The soft blue glow of the frost illuminated her features, casting shadows that accentuated the curve of her cheekbones and the fullness of her lips. My fingers twitched with the urge to trace the line of her jaw.
Cinta turned to me, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “You’re not even looking at it.”
“I’ve seen stellar frost before,” I said gruffly. “But you... you’re something else entirely.”
A flush crept up her neck, and she quickly looked away. “Smooth talker. I bet you say that to all the girls.”
I shook my head. “Only you.”