Page 63 of Abalim

Okay,that’sit.Wheneverthe man opened his mouth and spouted such romantic mush, Lisa melted into a puddle of goo. Well… she’d show him. With a languorous ease, she swept her eyes over him, sending him a sultry, lingering promise. An unspoken invitation to ignite a fire no words could convey.

Abalim’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped. His languid eyes half-draped like velvet curtains hiding deep secrets. He took her hand in his and brought it up to his full lips and gave her a lingering kiss. “I cannot wait until we are alone again.”

“That makes two of us,” she whispered, leaning forward, offering her mouth to his.

Before they could make contact, Saphira interrupted them. “Are you coming or not?”

Lisa grimaced and glanced away. She sucked her lower lip, aching to have Abalim cover it with his. With a sigh, she watched the other aliens enter the portal. They hurried toward the city in the distance.

“I don’t think so,” Abalim replied.

Lisa swung her attention back to him.

He looked at Rerqel. “He and I have a few things to work out first.”

The Xeltrian gave a slight nod.

“If it’s all right with you”—he addressed Saphira—“we’ll meet you back on theGalactic Serpentwhen you’re finished here.”

Saphira’s vibrant-green eyes narrowed. “That’s fine with me.” She glanced at JR15 on his shoulder. “Remember, keep your little friend out of my systems.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Abalim’s answer came with a sincere small smile. “Your wish will be honored.”

Saphira snorted. “See that it is.” She glanced over her shoulder as if to check on her crew members before turning her attention back to them. “Shall I have the ship transport you up?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Rerqel interjected. “I will ensure their safe return.” He waved his spindly fingers. “You may go.”

Wow,Lisa thought.Spoken like the arrogant jerk he is.

I suspect it’s natural for him.Abalim spoke to her on their private psychic channel.

Saphira gave the other alien a long look before she nodded and followed her friends.

Lisa watched the pretty captain trot away before facing Rerqel and Abalim. “What now? Are we going to the ship you talked about?”

Abalim crossed his arms and widened his stance as he faced the Xeltrian. “Can we go somewhere more comfortable than this?” He tilted his chin to indicate the endless corridor.

Lisa swore Rerqel’s thin lips lifted in a wavering attempt of a smile.

“Of course.”

His last word echoed in her head as the surroundings changed. Instead of the dim light of the hallway, she now stood in a strange-looking room. If she didn’t know any better, she’d believe she was on the bridge of theEnterpriseof Star Trek mixed with something completely different.

Bioluminescent panels pulsated with a soothing rhythm, illuminating the room in a kaleidoscope of soft, glowing colors. What might be control stations rose from the floor in ergonomic, glassy sculptures. In the center, something that had to be a command console hovered without any visible support. Its surface was a dynamic mosaic of shifting symbols and projections of star maps.

The ceiling arched into a translucent dome, giving her a panoramic view of the orbiting planet.

“Are you okay?” Abalim put his large hands on her shoulders.

Lisa took in a deep breath and nodded. The air was charged with a subtle, sweet fragrance mixed with an unknown flora. Quite like the air coming from the portal to Islezaa. “I’m great.” She gestured to the room. “Hey, did he just sneak us aboard the spaceship you talked about?”

“Yes, Ms. Lisa, ma’am,” JR15 answered from his perch on Abalim’s shoulder. “This is Captain Saphira’s ship, theGalactic Serpent.”

“Interesting place for you to take us to.” Abalim’s dark eyes narrowed on the alien. “Care to tell us why we’re here and not somewhere on Qorath?”

“It is more expedited this way,” the willowy Xeltrian replied. “You see, I will be going with you to the Chancellor’s Palace. I wish to coordinate the resistance to the Krystalii with the galactic government.”

Lisa gasped and put her fingers over her lips. “You mean you’re going to help us?” She glanced at Abalim. “That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”