Vall's Will Read Online Free PDF Page B

his drink, when the packet imploded in his grasp. Vall started slightly
at the wad of material in his palm that used to be a container of water. Will
laughed softly.
    “It’s all
right. It’s supposed to do that. Everything on this ship is recycled, Vall.
Nothing goes to waste, and most of it is reconditioned for reuse. You’ll get
accustomed to it after a while.”
    The man looked
up at her and tilted his head slightly. Reaching over, he touched her hair,
lightly grazing the tips of his fingers across her cheek. Before she could
react, he slowly scooted over, narrowing the distance between them. He took her
by the arm, and pulled, guiding her toward him, until she rested against his
side.
    Will found
herself with her face lying in the hollow between his neck and shoulder. One of
his arms cradled her, his hand on her hip. The other hand found one of hers,
and their fingers laced together on top of a pillow. Content, Vall sighed and
leaned his cheek on top of her head.
    Will remained
unmoving and unable to believe how happy she was by this simple arrangement.
Normally, she was very picky about who she made physical contact with, but
somehow this man was able to manipulate her without any protest from her.
    She could still
hear his heart beating, this time slow and regular. Air moved in and out of his
lungs; his breath gently tickled her face.
    By the
holiest of worlds, what’s happening to me?
    Outside, the
stars sped by. Planets spun overhead, then disappeared behind them. Whole
galaxies whirled in brilliantly lit glory as the ship passed them by.
Gradually, Vall’s breathing slowed as he drifted off to sleep. Oddly enough,
Will felt herself becoming equally drowsy. She was warm. She was comfortable.
And for some reason she couldn’t fathom, she felt protected. Safe. Wanted. It
was an odd sensation, given the fact that he didn’t possess a natural shield
like she did.
    She fell asleep
within his embrace, and the dreams she thought would haunt her never appeared.
Or, if they did, she didn’t remember.
     

Chapter Five
    Confrontation
     
     
    “Captain, I
think it’s time you woke up and assumed your duty.”
    The voice was
harsh and strident. Will opened her eyes to find Plymon standing less than a
meter away, arms crossed over his chest, and a peeved expression on his
handsome face.
    Vall moved
first, standing and facing the Sub-captain. He moved slightly to the side, as
if to block her from Plymon’s view. To Will’s surprise, she saw his hands curl
into fists against his thighs. She scrambled to her feet and stepped in front
of him.
    “Report to
the bridge, Plymon. I’ll be there shortly.”
    “Will he be
coming with you?” the man snapped, his eyes never leaving those of the man
standing defiantly in front of him. His tone grated on her nerves, and she
snapped back.
    “Sub-captain,
you have your orders. Obey them immediately.”
    Plymon dragged
his eyes from Vall to give her a shocked look. Without answering, he pivoted
and walked stiffly from the room. With him gone, she could turn around and face
Vall, who continued to stare at the doorway with an intense expression.
    “Vall, you
need to go back to your cabin and relax.”
    He looked at her
but his stance never changed. Taking one of his hands in hers, she lifted it
and slowly straightened the fingers until they could touch palms. Vall watched
her, questioning her actions with a lift of one eyebrow.
    “He obeys
me. He holds no sway over me, so you have nothing to worry about.” She
added with a smile, “I run this ship. I’m in no danger. Go back to your
cabin, Vall. Someone will come get you and take you to that cleansing chamber I
told you about last night. You’ll like it. I promise.”
    She led him out
of the room and down the corridor to where the tube was located. Releasing his
hand, she stepped inside and jetted up to her level, where she went immediately
to her cabin and her own private cleansing chamber. It didn’t take her long to
don