"Maybe not intentionally," Krevan said, running his fingers through his hair, "but this crystal has left a trail of bodies behind it.We don't even know for sure what it does."He glanced toward the window where the plastican rippled against the howling wind."I can't protect you alone against whoever's hunting it.We might need official protection—my father's connections.He's digging into your father's research as we speak."
Ancelin's fingers tightened around the edge of the counter."What if it's not mercenaries?What if it's a government that's after us?"
"No, I wouldn’t think the governments of Triaxe or Earth would approach obtaining the crystal, like common criminals.They would be more direct and demand you turn it over in a different way.They may use threat to encourage compliance, but not deadly force.At least not to begin with, that is my gut opinion.”
“Well, I need to eat and relax for now,” Ancelin interrupted.“Let’s talk about this later.I need a break from this for the moment.I need to feel better, too.”
Ancelin prepared a delicious meal.They ate together in silence, and after they cleaned up, they worked in the office on their various individual projects.Hours passed and turned into days, and the weather continued to be outrageous.Ancelin’s queasiness grew worse.Krevan was much improved.When they slept, Krevan merely held her in his arms.Ancelin enjoyed the physical intimacy they shared.Their bond seemed to strengthen further.They were both tired and spent a lot of time sleeping or huddled under their bedding.No matter how much sleep Ancelin got, she continued to feel sleepy and easily worn out.
Sometimes the wind battered the house so fiercely its walls groaned under the strain.Somehow, the plastic-covered windows held fast.They conserved power wherever they could, and Krevan spent every spare moment trying to restore communications.On the fourth day of their isolation, Krevan decided to drive out to the barns to check on the animals, with Ancelin insisting on accompanying him.
On their way back, an unexpected whiteout engulfed them.Though they were no more than seventy-five meters from the garage, they couldn’t see a thing—snow pelted their faces, and the wind turned the world into a featureless blur.After a tense struggle through the drifts, they stumbled up to the garage doors.
“We need a better method for tending the animals,” Krevan said once they were inside.“Right now, though, I’ve cleaned their pens and stocked plenty of straw and feed.The generators are running, so they’re warm enough.I refuse to risk being stranded out there again—especially so close to home.I’m certainly not risking you.At least when I was wounded, the weather was milder—otherwise I would have suffered far worse.”
“We would’ve never made it to Coti,” Ancelin shot back.
“You would’ve died,” Ancelin snapped.“I hate this place and everything that’s happened here.”
Krevan offered a crooked smile.“I doubt I would have died.Triaxens heal quickly even without the compound.The medicine just quickens the healing even more.Just promise you won’t decapitate me, okay?”His eyes twinkled with amusement.“That, I can’t come back from.”He chuckled.
Ancelin ached to touch him but held back.
“I didn’t expect Verrian to get this brutal,” he continued softly.“But don’t judge the planet too harshly.The warm seasons are downright beautiful, and it’s where I found you—I’ll always be grateful for that.You hate Earth, too.Maybe Triaxe is our next stop.My attorney’s waiting on the Judicial Review Committee’s decision; if they overturn my conviction, I can go home sooner and leave this nightmare behind.He thinks it’s likely.I miss my family, the big cities… everything.Someday I want to take you to a proper restaurant and see a real theater.”Then Krevan brushed a kiss against her cheek.
"I'd give anything to see Triaxe—your family, your home, everything.And those family compounds you mentioned..."Ancelin traced a finger along the window's edge."Sounds secure right about now."She bit her lip."I keep thinking about Kellie.Trapped like us, but with a baby coming.What if something happens and Derrick can't get help?"
Krevan squeezed her shoulder."First babies usually take their time.The storm will break before then."His mouth quirked up at one corner as he gestured toward the white void outside."This can't possibly last forever."
Ancelin raised an eyebrow."Famous last words.Watch us still be digging out when we're old and gray."
Krevan's eyebrows rose as he watched her pace."Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed."
"I can't help it."Ancelin pressed her palm against her forehead."My stomach's in knots.I'm exhausted but I can't sleep.And I'm starving even though I just ate."
Krevan's eyes widened.He mumbled something that sounded like "pregnant" under his breath.
"What was that?"She stopped pacing.
"The shot isn't foolproof, especially..."He trailed off, suddenly fascinated with a loose thread on his sleeve.
"Especially what?"Her voice rose an octave.
"The venom in our...biology...it can override contraceptives sometimes.Our population is lower than other species—we can only reproduce with true mates.But when we do find our match..."Krevan's voice trailed off, his eyes not meeting hers."Nature finds a way."
Ancelin's fingers gripped the edge of the table."And you didn't think to mention this before now?"
"I told you the shot would help prevent pregnancy."He emphasized the word 'help' carefully."I never promised certainty."
Ancelin's mouth fell open as she studied him, the familiar planes of his face suddenly strange and foreign.She hugged herself tightly."So, what you're saying is that even with precautions, your...biology overrides them?"
"Not in every case.It depends on many factors."
"So, there could be a baby growing inside me right now."
"There could be."Krevan looked up, his eyes meeting hers directly."Just as there could be with any mate you chose."
"I see."Ancelin exhaled slowly."Then why aren't there more Triaxen children?"
