Spark in the Stars by Foster Bridget Cassidy

Author:Foster Bridget Cassidy [Cassidy, Foster Bridget]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-64405-333-1
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2019-06-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

GIN FOLLOWED as the captain led the way to the adjoining door. It opened into a narrow corridor, which lead to the other rooms in the suite. Gin marveled at how much space they gave Captain Lian, and he wondered if the captain ever used the rooms. Gin’d heard anytime a crewmember went looking for Lian, they always found him on the bridge.

Lian opened the center door. It was the study, and the first room Gin had seen to have a rug. The area was plush—the rugs, the couch, and the chairs—and all in shades of blues and grays. The far wall was lined with bookshelves from floor to ceiling. Gin skimmed the titles and saw books on humanoids—a hole where the one on Valkeans usually sat—spaceliner manuals, and even some that appeared to be fiction.

Gin liked the room, and he almost forgot to wait for Lian’s nod before claiming one of the chairs.

“Make yourself comfortable,” the captain said. He sat on the couch, poised on the edge as if he meant to jump up at any moment. “How are you feeling? Any better?”

Gin shrugged. “I guess. I told Temmy about it, and I asked her to go see our local doctor for her own bloodwork. I don’t think hers will be different,” he added quickly when Lian seemed about to jump to the same conclusion Temmy had. They were too identical to be only half siblings. “I hope it’s only an error of technology. Dr. Lisst didn’t have all the up-to-date equipment.”

“And if it turns out your parents held it back?”

Again, Gin lifted his shoulders. “I don’t want to worry about it until we know for sure.”

The captain nodded. “Well, I can vouch for how difficult it is growing up a mix. Though I blend in with humans, for the most part, there were many things that set me apart.”

“Where did you grow up? Franklin?”

Lian smiled, and it added a crinkle to the corners of his eyes. As Gin gazed at the green irises, they seemed to shift a shade lighter. “No. I’ve never lived on Earth. I’ve never been there for more than three days at a time. I grew up on the Olton.”

“The armada flagship?”

“Not anymore. They retired him three years ago, when the captain died.”

“Were you a lost humanoid baby, picked up by the crew?”

A loud laugh came from Lian. The sound startled Gin at first, but then he realized he’d never seen the captain amused before. It was a little frightening how much he sounded like Doc.

“No. My mother was the captain, Annie Hartford. I was born on the ship, and when I was old enough, I joined the crew.”

Gin’s mouth fell open. To actually be born on a spaceliner? He didn’t realize Regulation allowed families on vessels other than colony ships. Then Gin remembered what Lian said about the captain dying. That was his mother he’d spoken of.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

Lian waved a hand. “Thank you, but it’s not necessary. These things happen.

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