The Maxis sovereign

Chapter 10

Kiea

My mind was angry. The anger in me brimming at the exchange I had just made with Nathan. My decision to take Malakai back was out of fear his father would do something to him, like it appears he did to his wife.

I decided to drive one of the earth rovers back. I could tell Malaki needed a break and I needed to get my people ready for tomorrow.

My eyes peaked over, eyeing him in a way I never have before. Worry filled my gut and the want to reach out and cup his cheek in my hand surprised my chest. I shook my head.

Malaki's form was slumped over, depressed. It just made me more upset with his sorry excuse for a father, my mind on a replay of Nathan's words to me. His shortness, had Malaki grown up with these interactions with his father?

Hendrix had let it slip last week that Malaki and his dad were not close because Malaki refused to marry a woman, therefore his dad called him gay and told him not to come home at the age of 15.

It made me very angry that Malaki's father could not see how brilliant his son was. How could he not see that his son had one of the most amazing minds I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing. I mean, he's absolutely brilliant.

"Who is?" Malaki questions, my body going rigid in surprise. I look over to see him still leaning to the window but he's looking right at me now. I can't stop my eyes from widening from the expression on his face. I turn back, not needing to look directly at him to see him. The camera angle shows him to me at my request.

Hes tired and it shows, but the way his eyes are peering into mine, the small crack of the last few rays of sunlight hit his face make me almost gasp.

Malaki looks breathtaking right now.

"What?" I reply, shaking myself out of it. Hes gay. Its times like this where I am happy for the cameras in my helmet.

"Cookie, you literally just said, 'he's absolutely brilliant' like three second ago." I pale at his nickname for me. Cookie? My eyes widen and blink quickly.

"I can still see berlin, are we in range of radio com?" I ask him, avoiding answering, my mind racing over the fact that I'm certain I did not say the words out loud.

"Probably." He mutters, looking out the window.

"Talk to me over my system, reframe form nicknames till were home." I tell him, pointing to my helmet. I pull his hand to my helmet, hoping he gets the idea. He interfaces with the coms and camera in seconds.

"Home? Are you asking me to move in with you Kiea?" I can hear the sarcasm in his voice but I'm mortified.

"What- no! I mean yes- you do already!" I hear him laugh to me and I get a sense he is forcing his happiness right now. But anything to make him laugh.

"Cookie, I love living with you and the guys. I was teasing you, don't worry I'm aware of our platonic living arrangements that have a death penalty." Hes teasing me and laughing but I can't help the tinge of hurt in my heart.

I am what humans call, crushing, hard on these three strong men.

STOP IT KIEA! I tell myself.

When I yell that into my head, I notice Malaki body stiffen. I know I didn't say it out loud but his reaction makes it seem like he heard me. I look down, unable to wipe the look of disappointment off my face, and I know he can see it. I need to change the subject again. I sigh.

"What I was saying before was that you are brilliant Malaki. I just want you to know that." I say openly to him.

"Nathan is a fool to treat you like that, it is uncalled for." I continue.