A knock at the door caught Xenia’s attention, but she didn’t lift her eyes from the map laid out in front of her. Rather, she waited for the figure on the other side of the door to eitr leave or come inside – which proved to be the latter. Familiar footsteps sauntered closer to the table, the tell tale clicks of dual swords tapping against studded pants as the figure approached. When Xenia did lift her gaze it was to Indra.

The scarred Matorian looked down at Xenia with a grin, even though it didn’t meet her eyes. In the past few months something had shifted in that gaze – the one that had initially captured Xenia’s heart and melted her very core. Now when it looked at her it was neither with affection or pity; instead, it was pure rage. As if at any moment she might reach out and snap Xenia’s neck as easily as a fishbone. Xenia met it with one of cold fire and molten steel. Let her see. Let Illyndra see what she created and let her fear it.

“Care to share a drink?” Indra held up a bottle of rum and gave it a little shake. When Xenia raised a brow the Matorian rolled her eyes before taking a swig. “When I kill you, it won’t be with poison.”

After a moment’s paused Xenia nodded and the two made their way to a pair of chairs, seated next to the large bay windows of the Captain’s cabin. The shores of Oba were already long gone, as was the last chances – at least for the moment – Xenia had of adding to her numbers. She’d pick up a few – she hoped – in Matori, but she suspected Indra was catching on. She kept their routes to familiar ports; ports where she held influence.

If she wanted a chance at overthrowing Indra she needed to find a way to get them away. Maybe to the Kahi? Or – gods help her – Yael.

Indra poured two cups and slid one across the worn table top toward Xenia. The two clanked their glasses together before downing the shots in one go.
“Let’s play a game – like we used to.” Xenia proposed and now it was Indra’s turn to look skeptical. “Truth or dare.”

“Fine.” Indra refilled their glasses. “But I’m going first – truth or dare?”

“Dare.”

“I dare you to give my quarters back.” There was enough bite to her words that Xenia knew it bothered Indra. To have to sleep below deck with the rest of the crew. But still…a grin grew on her face.

“You know I can’t do that. I’m the Captain, remember? Your orders.” She took a drink. “Name another dare.”

“Fine. Then kiss me.” When Xenia baulked she leaned back in her seat. “If we’re playing like we used to then the old you wouldn’t have hesitated.”

The thought of it sat in her stomach like keldari venom. The old her had been naïve and in love, then stupid with fear, and now…Now Xenia didn’t allow herself to feel. There were times when she would occasionally share a bed with Indra, but it was for carnal reasons, nothing more. There was never any kissing; that had been her own rule.

And likely why Indra pushed it now.

With a sigh, Xenia stood up and made her way around the table. She looked down at Indra, at the face she had once given up her homeland for, her family to love, and bowed her head to kiss. To the Matorians credit she didn’t bite off her lip or do anything inappropriate, which made it all the harder to pull away.

Still, she did, but only enough so that a breath could pass between them. “Your turn now – Truth or dare?”

“Truth.” Indra murmured.

“Did you ever really love me? Or was it all a lie?”

Indra paused, but her eyes never left Xenia’s. Something shifted in her, something that caught in Xenia’s throat. “I wanted to,” She whispered. “I thought I could, but only fools dream.”

“And you can only live a nightmare?”

“I can only be a nightmare.” Indra murmured and reached around Xenia for the bottle. She upended it in one drink before slamming it down on the table. She pushed to stand, her body briefly brushing against Xenia’s before they were standing infront of one another.

She looked up at Indra, at the hardened plans of her body and for a breath she felt it.

“Evening, Captain.” Indra whispered before making her exit.

[757]