Page 62 of Dark Voyage Matters of the Mind

Gazing into her warm eyes, he saw something he had never dreamt of having—the love of a mate. But the hope filling his chest was thwarted by fear.

"I'm glad that you understand. It means a lot to me, and it also lessens the guilt I feel. But it's not just about me and my decisions. You and I are pulled in different directions, and I don't see a solution for that."

Dagor refrained from saying that choosing her might mean losing everything he had ever known to be true about himself for a woman he had just met. He needed space, he needed to think, and he felt like he had his back up against the wall.

It was suffocating.

Frankie's grip on his hand tightened slightly. "The only thing you need to decide on right now is allowing yourself to feel. All I'm asking is for you to open your heart to me and let me in. What happens next happens. You don't need to feel obligated to me just because I want you to induce my transition. This is my way of giving us a chance. We still might say goodbye to each other at the end of the cruise, but at least we will get to enjoy what's left of our time together. And if what we have does deepen, we will figure out how to proceed from there." She smiled hesitantly. "I don't have to become a beta tester for Perfect Match. I can accompany you on your quest to Tibet."

He snorted. "I can't imagine you camping out in the wild and wearing the same clothes for days on end."

Frankie pouted. "What kind of woman would I be if I demanded you make all the sacrifices? I'm willing to suffer some discomfort to give us more time together. After all, great things require great sacrifices. Besides, you and I sleeping in a small tent doesn't seem so bad. We will keep each other warm."

He arched a brow. "With Aru and Gabi in the tent right next to ours and Negal on the other side?"

"Aru and Gabi will be busy with each other, and Negal will have to put on earphones and blast loud music."

"You have it all figured out, don't you?"

She laughed and immediately winced. "Don't make me laugh. It hurts."

"I don't understand what's funny."

"I don't have anything figured out. I'm making it up as I go along."

"You're very good at it."

"I know." She smirked.

Her logic was hard to argue with, and it had done a better job of crashing against the shores of his rational mind and eroding the barriers he had so carefully built than her previous appeal to his emotions. She had given him a glimmer of something that had been absent in his life for a long time—a thrill of the unknown and the allure of a path less traveled.

"So, what's our next step, lady strategist? Do I administer the transfusion now, or do I get Bridget to release you to my care first?"

"Do it now, and then call her and convince her to release me before the women arrive so she will have room in the clinic. I will not heal as fast as you do, but if I'm a little better when Bridget comes to check on me, you might not even need to thrall her to convince her. After that, she will be so busy with those poor women that she will forget all about me."

"How did you get to be so smart?"

She rolled her eyes playfully. "I was born that way. Now get that syringe out and do it before Hildegard decides to check up on me again."

"Yes, ma'am." Dagor's hand trembled as he reached into his pocket.

He had no idea what he was doing.

"Can you do it?" he asked. "I've never held a syringe in my hand, and I don't want to hurt you."

"I know what to do. Give it to me," she commanded.

"All you need is this much." He showed her the tip of his little finger.

Frankie nodded. "Got it."

Kian

Kian stood to the side of the gangway and scanned the group of women being carefully guided inside.

They were in a semi-thrall, their expressions calm and unquestioning while they were gently herded along. Walking beside them, Yamanu shrouded their arrival from the Mexican authorities guarding the port.

Kian regretted that Syssi wasn't there. She hadn't returned from the shopping mission that she, Alena, Sari, and several of the other females had embarked on to supply the victims with fresh clothing and other items.