My Angel of the Dawn (WomanxBoy, ManxBoy, Sci-Fi + Romance)

***15***

She made an effort to smile. "All right, enough walking down memory lane. Let's get to the task at hand. It's time for you to learn my rules. There are few, but they are mandatory. Following them will keep you alive. First, never — I mean, never ever — touch me without my permission. I know how to kill with my bare hands, remember it. My reaction is automatic, perfected by constant use, so there is no way for me to stop my hand. Second, if I decide to give you an order, you shall obey. Without hesitation. Without thinking. Not only your life could depend on it, but also mine. For the slightest insubordination I'll kick you off my ship and won't care if there is breathable air behind the airlock. Third, never lie to me, even in something minor. If I catch you on a lie, I'll make you clean the jets by hand. With a toothbrush. So let's hear now how old you are. The truth, please?"

He lowered his gaze. "I'm sorry, Mistress Nelsa. I'm... I'll be nineteen in three standard months."

She sighed. "Thought so. You are too young and handsome to be a pilot. Everyone will gossip about poor old Nelsa Thorn getting lonely and buying herself a nice boy-toy."

"Mistress, please don't say that, you are not old!" he said with an amusing fervor, evidently letting 'boy-toy' slide.

"My lad, I've gone through hell and came back, I'm entitled to feel old. I could have a son your age, even older."

Nelsa, why are you rubbing his nose in his own age? Do you want to embarrass him more? To make him hate his youthful good looks?

"That's all concerning the rules. I probably shouldn't mention the loyalty, it goes without saying. You will take my side always, under any circumstances. If you ever betray me, I will deem it my duty to find you — even on the other side of the known galaxy — and kill you. It's only business."

"You won't have to, Mistress Nelsa. I'd rather die than betray you."

Ariel gave her an honest, serious look.

Too theatrical but close to the truth. He has a spine, a strong will. He won't break, won't betray — at least while you are able to carry out your threat. He will never stab you in the back. If he stabs you, it will be only face to face.

Nelsa flinched. Damn her wild imagination. It's always safe not to trust anybody. But if she were to expect the worst from the boy, he could just decide to prove her right. She should give him a chance to earn her trust. Nergan had managed that, hadn't he?

"One more thing. Aren't you tired of calling me 'mistress'? I am, so could you please stop and call me by my name?"

"I'm sorry, Mistress Nelsa. I don't think I can. At least for now. Aside from the immense respect that I feel towards you, I'm prevented by my education at Master Alric's."

"Education?"

"They hit me with an 'eel' every time I failed to add 'master'. So please forgive me, it's an automatic reaction too, I can't forgo it quite easily." He shrugged helplessly.

An 'eel' was a shock whip which didn't leave marks but caused indescribable pain and convulsions through the whole body. In her mind, she moved Alric up to the second place in her list of people whom she wanted to kill with her own hands some day. The honorary first place was occupied by Holloran the Charming.

"All right, but do try to get rid of it. You can call me Captain, for now. It's better, however old-school."

"Aye-aye, Captain!" he quoted an old movie and hesitantly, awkwardly smiled.