Two hours later, I change course and head for MyFaS—my secret base. That’s where I plan to place Ileana in the regeneration chamber and repair her dislocated shoulder. Until then, I stabilize her arm with a self-hardening bandage and keep a close eye on the wounds she picked up during her desperate escape.
Her split lip and the dark bruises on her right cheek suggest a violent blow to the face. I’m willing to bet it was Henri. That smug, vomit-worthy face of his… I would’ve gladly returned the favor—maybe more. But right now, my priority is keeping Ileana safe from that kind of harm. And I don’t doubt for a second that she’s innocent.
I took the time to leave a message for Akifumi, updating him on the situation. I trust him. Wingo oncetold me he “liked” Akifumi, and that means something. Still, I didn’t exactly follow protocol. I didn’t stay on Jaga-18 to investigate like I said I would. I turned around in secret, with a woman wanted for murder on board. So yeah—I had to let him know. He won’t get the message until our next encrypted rendezvous.
Right now, we’re en route to MyFaS. It’ll take about a week.
Six days later, we’re finally approaching the planet. And not a moment too soon. The atmosphere on board the SIL has been… tense. Ileana’s been distant, withdrawn. She barely speaks. I can’t get her to open up, and it’s driving me crazy. There’s so much I want to ask her—so much I need to understand.
Physically, she’s recovering well. But Wingo says she’s still struggling emotionally. She lost her sister in horrific circumstances—and never got the chance to say goodbye.
She gave me a brief account of that night, the one that left her so deeply scarred. But when I try to ask about the governor’s behavior leading up to it, she dodges the question. Wingo told me that whenever the Governor is mentioned, her aura flares with a mix of fear, rage, and disgust.
So we don’t push her. Wingo and I just let her move at her own pace, making sure she feels safe, supported, and in control.
Wingo even gave up his sleeping drawer and decided to sprawl out across the cabin instead.
I’m grateful. Well… when it comes to sleeping arrangements, anyway. The rest of the time, he never stops teasing me about my obvious interest in our guest.
“You know how to conserve water, right?”he asks.
“Yes, why?”
“Because you’re drooling.”He bursts out laughing.
See what I mean?
I’d like to deny it, but… my Dedicated Soul is walking around my ship wearing one of my shirts. Since her tunic was beyond saving, she had no choice but to borrow my clothes. And even though I’m taller than she is, the way those shirts fall on her—showing off her long, graceful legs—it’s… distracting.
“I don’t know which of you is worse,”Wingo mutters, sounding exasperated.
“What do you mean?”
“Because she’s checking you out just as much as you’re checking her out.”
“I’m not ogling her!”
“That’s rich,”he snorts.
“I’m just… concerned. I’m paying attention to her well-being. After everything she’s been through—”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. But don’t try to change the subject. You’re not just looking at her with concern. Well, a little. But mostly? You’re looking at her with possessiveness. And hunger.”
“You’re wrong!”I protest.“I’m not like that!”
“If you insist…”Wingo replies, clearly unconvinced.
I’m not trying to be that guy. I’m not the type to put my own needs before someone else’s—especially not hers. She has no idea what she means to me. What Iwant is to be a steady presence, someone she can trust. Not some guy who, as Wingo puts it, “ogles” her.
I turn away from him and refocus on the control console, pretending to check the maneuver.
But after a while, I can’t help myself—I glance back at her.
She’s sitting on one of the removable stools, sipping an herbal infusion. Then suddenly, her eyes go wide and she chokes, the drink shooting out of her nose. She looks at Wingo with a stunned expression, her face turning bright red as she tries to catch her breath.
I turn to the little troublemaker behind this.
“What did you say to her that made her react like that?”
