“We haveyou. That’s all we need. Women have been birthing children since the dawn of man. It’s a natural process. Hell, if thereisa problem, you probably have an entire library of obstetrics in that amazing brain of yours. And I’m not worried about us being captured again because you’re one of the most powerful people in the world with your abilities. We’ll be fine.” Her fingers squeeze mine.
“The most powerful person in thegalaxywho happened to get caught in less than five seconds.” I turn my head to stare at the crooked screen door covered with dead leaves and dry twigs. Afternoon light filters through and lands on the box where KJ lies sleeping on a soft pillow.
“You’ve only been here for two days after trekking thousands of miles on foot. I should’ve been thinking about better alarms, too, but I didn’t. All I’ve cared about since you came back is putting my hands on you and proving to myself you’re real. We learned a valuable lesson today. Now, we’ll do better.”
KJ lets out a small whimper and I give his soft fur a gentle pat.
“I used to think I could protect you, Red, but now...” Anger competes with the shame of being so inept, so weak. I can feel her gaze on my profile. I don’t want to look at her and see pity in her eyes.
“You’re not weak. You were just surprised. It was a mistake and guess what? They happen to all of us—even cyborgs with super abilities.”
“It was a mistake that could’ve gotten you and our sonkilled.” I stand, needing to release the pent-up frustration. Holding my arms out wide, I let out a harsh bark of laughter. “This place is ridiculous. We’re not staying here.”
“It’s our refuge and paradise from the shitty world out there.” Soft rustles scrape across the ground as she stands and places a warm hand on my shoulder. “And it’s our home. I’m not leaving.”
Dust motes dance in the rays of sunshine beating through the gaps of the ugly door.
I’m not raising my son here.Stalking forward, I kick the horrible door and it falls outward, clattering against the ground. No longer dappled, bright light blasts the cave entrance.
“It’s a fucking dump, Red, and no place for my wife, the Queen of the Baltins, to have her baby.” I turn toward her and spread my legs, crossing my arms over my chest so I don’t destroy anything else. “We’re going to Mars. Granny will set aside an entire dome for us to live in. No one will know who we are. You’ll be safe and so will our son. You can argue, you can cry, you can be pissed, but I don’t care. We’re going, and that’s that.”
“No, I’m not.” She pushes a finger against my sternum. “And you can’t bully me into it, jackass.”
“I’d rather not force you to go, but your safety is my priority right now.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Her eyes flash as she forcefully taps the tip of her index finger against my chest. “If you try to make me step one foot inside a Baltin ship, then you can kiss my ass, you psychotic—”
Her spark of passion soothes the rage in my heart. I lean down and capture her mouth with mine, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her body next to mine.
She stiffens at first, then falls into the embrace, kissing me with equal fervor.
After a minute or so, she pulls away to arm’s length and searches my face. “You can’t change my mind, even if I love your kisses.”
“I wasn’t trying to change your mind. I just needed to assure myself you were really here and unhurt.” Closing my eyes, I exhale and pull her to my chest, stroking the top of her head.
“I’m still not going. Those renegades were just an outlier. We’re going to be fine.” Her fingers slide up my spine in a soothing gesture. “What did you do to them, anyhow? And where are the carriers?”
“I have them locked up and under guard for now.” I’ve already planned what I’m going to do but she doesn’t need to know.
“Are you going to kill them?” she asks, her voice low and quiet.
What’s the right answer here?I promised to never lie to her again, and I’m keeping it, but damn, how to get around it?
“Would it matter if I did?” Laying my cheek against the top of her head, I sigh.
“They deserve death,” she whispers, “but it’s not our place to judge. I think we should turn them over to the Henokans. They’ll make the punishment fit the crime.”
“Hmm.”Oh, the punishment is certainly going to fit the crime.
“Jareth, promise me—”
“Tilly,” I say, squeezing her tighter. “I’m sorry. I can’t give you the promise I know you want.”
She unwinds her arms and steps away. “Why not?”
“Because today, they showed me I was nothing more than a cyborg at the mercy of electricity. I felt so worthless.” I hang my head, unable to look at her face. “And if I can’t protect my family, then I’m going to be a horrible husband and dad.”
“Hey,” she chides. “You stop that right now. You arenotworthless. You’re the best husband a person could want. As for being a dad, I already know you’re going to be awesome. Look at how much you loved Ani.”
