"The day doesn't start for two hours!" she gasped.
"I know. They want us out early." I sat on the edge of the bed to put on my boots. "But, Callah? There's something I want to say before I go."
She crawled across the mattress to my side. "What's that?"
My throat chose that moment to clench. Clearing it helped, but my guts were also rebelling. All the fear was starting to feel real, and this? I had to do this. For all I knew, this could be mylast chance, so I turned to look at her, needing to say this to her face.
"You are my closest friend. The best one I ever could've imagined, and I married you because of that. Since then, you've made me so happy. All these moments where life didn't feel hopeless? They were all because of you."
"Don't talk like that," she chided, shifting around to face me.
I chucked once. "Callah, I have the code. This? It's what we've been waiting for. We both know I might not come back."
"But that just means you'll get me out."
"Or die." And for the first time, I dared to reach up and cup her cheek. "So you need to know that I love you. I didn't mean to, but I still do. I love you enough that dying for you doesn't bother me. Just know that, okay?"
"No," she said, grabbing my shirt. "Tobias, you cannot die. I can't do this without you!"
I meant to say something to calm her. I was trying to think of how to reassure her without lying when this woman leaned in and pressed her mouth against mine.
And I froze.
Her lips were on mine. No one was forcing her to do this, but she was kissing me! When my mind finally caught up, that hand on her face tightened, pulling her a little closer, and I let my mouth shift against hers.
I didn't know what I was doing, and neither did she, but it didn't matter. Our bodies did. Slow, subtle movements allowed our lips to caress and appreciate, then she parted her lips. I drank in her breath. She took the air back from my lungs, focusing on my lower lip, then the upper before finally pulling back.
"Please don't leave me alone?" she whispered.
"I can't promise that, but I swear I will make sure you're free."
Then I stood, knowing that if I stayed here a moment longer, I wouldn't want to go. I needed to leave now, while I still could. While I had the memory of that kiss driving me to be the man she deserved. To be a true friend, not ahusband.
But she followed me, scurrying out of the bedroom and into the main area. I didn't slow. Didn't want to lose my courage now. Picking up my gear, I hefted it over my shoulder instead of strapping it on, then reached for the door.
"Tobias?" she begged, making me pause. "I fell in love with you too."
And all that tension fled. "Yeah?" I dared to look back.
She stood there in a pale sleeping gown, the shape of her body visible through the thin cloth. Her hair was down, falling in loose pink curls around her shoulders, breasts, and back. A few freckles adorned her cheeks, and those eyes. They were so big, waiting for me to say something. Anything.
"So what happens if I do make it back?"
The relief in her smile? I loved it. "I will kiss you again," she decided. "And maybe let you kiss me."
"And if I can only send something yellow?"
"Then I will kiss you again when you save me, Tobias. But that means you have to be alive to do it."
"Then I'll do whatever it takes to survive. Be safe, Callah. I want that kiss." And I jerked open the door, stepping through it before I could find one more reason to stay.
But I'd said it. I'd told her how I felt, and she said she felt the same way. I wasn't sure if she meant it or was just trying to convince me to come back, but I'd take it. In truth, Ineededit right now.
Something about all of this felt off. It could simply be because I'd been working so hard, for so long, to get this code. It had felt like some unattainable thing that was always just out of reach, and then without warning, it was mine.
I knew the number. I could get my team back inside. I could also tell Ayla, or the Wyvern, and then they'd find a way to make sure Callah made it out. Hopefully I'd get free as well, but if she was with them, then I could simply slip away the next time.
If I was still alive.
