Instead of responding to her question, I only grunt and glance at my boots.
“If I think you’re causing her any added stress, you will besosorry.”
I open my mouth to argue, but she holds up a finger.
“I’m giving you until the count of three to get home.”
A soft snort blows from my mouth. “I’m not ten years old anymore. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m still the rightful ruler of this ship.”
“One.” She holds up another finger. “Two...”
With a deep scowl thrown her way, I port home.
****
IAPPEAR IN THE LIVINGarea. It’s still dark and only a soft line of red light follows the seam of the floor and wall to illuminate the path to the bedroom.
Taking a step toward our room, I pause. The nanobot bond is still broken on my end, so I can’t feel the intimate bond we used to share. I think it has to do with Kaden’s nanobots creating interference. It’s extremely frustrating to not feel her emotions or what she’s doing.
Knowing her, she’s still sleeping.
I shouldn’t wake her up, but I need to know why she went to Rhys and Harper instead of coming to me. That slow anger, hiding just beneath the surface, rises again.
After everything I’ve done to get to her, everything I sacrificed, has she stopped loving me?
No, I don’t think so. Yet, I can’t stop the thought now that it’s surfaced. Have I pushed her away by being too protective, too suffocating...toome?
No. She still loves me, just as I love her—and I always will.
In two quick strides, I press my hand to the control panel to our bedroom. As the door lifts upwards, light pours over my feet.
Unusual. She’s never awake this early.
The door rises into the ceiling, and she lies on top of the bed at an odd angle, as if she fell onto the mattress and didn’t bother scooting her feet toward the middle. Her hands clutch her stomach. Slowly, as if in a daze, her eyelids open and her gaze meets mine.
“Jareth,” she calls, her voice weak, not at all strong and clear like normal.
My anger and confusion fly away and something sharp replaces it. Deep anxiety. Coldness creeps down my spine like tiny marching needles.
“What’s wrong?” I sprint to her and sink to my knees, leveling my face to hers and cupping her hands. I check the link between my ring and her bracelet. Her vitals remain steady, no mysterious drops or alarming readings.
She begins to sob and lifts her head from the tangled covers to peer at her stomach, wrapping her hands around it as if keeping out the world.
“Red. Tell me what’s wrong, please.” A frantic urgency beats in my blood, vibrating through my bones and searing my heart.Could it be depression causing her tears?Granny had worried about her stress levels.
Have I caused this by yelling at her last night?
Hot shame washes over me and imaginary glass splinters pierce my heart.
Instead of answering, Tilly slides her hands from under mine and holds up her palms.
As I stare at her blood-slicked hands, the world spins around me. “What...” I whisper, unable to process what she’s showing me.
“I had to use the bathroom, and this happened when I stood up.”
“Fuck.” I shoot to my feet and scoop her into my arms. Now that her hands aren’t covering her stomach, streaks of blood on the long T-shirt seem too bright. It’s not a copious amount, but it’s certainly not a small amount, either.
She rests her head against my shoulder. “I didn’t know if I should call you or not, especially after last night.”
