Tani's Destiny (Hearts of ICARUS Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

dragon, gaining some sort of comfort from it, though she didn’t understand why.  After a few moments she released the pendant, finished undressing, and got into the shower before turning the water on, mindful of the fact that all water had to be conserved and recycled aboard a ship, especially small ones like the Stray obviously was. 
    When she was finished, she turned off the water and pushed as much water off of her body as she could with her hands before turning on the body dryer.  She ran her fingers through her short, thick hair to help dry it partially before turning off the dryer, then stepped out.  She dressed quickly, selecting the pink sweater since the ship was a bit chilly. 
    She left the bathroom, carrying the pile of clothing across the hall to her stateroom.  She left them on the bed, then went back to the corridor.  She looked one way, then the other, trying to decide which way to go.  Luckily, Steel chose that moment to reappear at the end of the corridor to her right, so she walked toward him, doing her best to hide her body’s instant reaction to him, though she couldn’t seem to stop herself from smiling. 
    “Feeling any better?”
    “Much, thank you.  Can I see Astra now?”
    “Of course,” he said.  “This way.”  Tani followed as Steel led her around the corner to an elevator.  They got in and went up two levels, got out and went down another corridor.  He waved his hand over a sensor, a door slid open, and they stepped inside a small infirmary that was sparkling clean, but outdated.  She was relieved to spot a portable scanner plugged into a charging base that hung on one wall.  She walked over to get it, but Steel followed and reached over her head to unplug it for her.  She breathed his scent deep into her lungs and shivered, her skin pebbling though she wasn’t at all cold any more.
    “Thank you,” she said, fighting the impulse to turn around and press her body against his.  “ Where are these urges coming from?” she wondered, shocked at herself.  She cleared her throat and accepted the scanner from Steel, then took a little more time than was strictly necessary to examine it while trying to corral her suddenly disobedient hormones. 
    When she could think clearly again she flipped the switch on the top of the scanner and slid the viewing window cover open.  “Hold your hand up please.”
    “What is this?” Steel asked as he held up one hand. 
    “It’s a portable scanner,” she replied, aiming the lens at his hand.  “And it appears to work perfectly.  Where are the hibernation tanks?”
    “Through here,” Steel said, turning toward the back of the infirmary.  She followed him out of the infirmary and up a narrow corridor to yet another door.  She stepped inside the room, startling a man with short black hair who was standing in front of the only occupied tank in a bank of ten.  The man turned around quickly, his golden complexion darkening in what Tani suspected was a blush.
    “Khurda?” Steel asked curiously as he followed Tani into the room.
    “Hello Steel,” the man said in a low voice.  “I was just double-checking the tank to make sure it’s functioning correctly.”
    “I thought you refurbished all of them when we bought the ship,” Steel said with a worried frown.
    “I did, and I had them tested, inspected and approved,” Khurda said.  “It’s just that we’ve never used them, so I thought I should keep a close eye on this one.”
    “Good idea,” Steel said, nodding.  “Khurda, this is Gunji Tanjelia Dracon.  Tani, this is our pilot, electronics genius, and my lifelong friend, Khurda.”
    “It is my honor to meet you, Highness,” Khurda said with a bow.
    “Thank you, Khurda,” Tani said.  “It’s an honor to meet you, as well, and please, call me Tani.”
    “As you wish,” Khurda said, blushing again. 
    “Tani has some medical knowledge and wishes to evaluate Astra’s injury,” Steel said.
    The sudden hope on