I hugged him back, inhaling his strong, masculine scent. He was right. I could only afford to think of now —right now.And what we had right now was a reunion. Wherever we were now, I’d been overwhelmed by a strong sense of safety. I wasn’t in danger here, I could feel it.
Vidar kissed my cheek.
“We need to take things slow now that you’re awake. I’m not used to your species’ organs and I don’t want there to be any complications.”
“Right. Will you allow me to get off this bed?”
“Of course,” Vidar whispered, tucking hair behind my ear, “You will never be my prison, Minnie.”
My heart fluttered as he used the shortened form of my name. Again, I felt so small and protected in his arms. I looked up at him pleadingly, pouting my lips so that my strong purple warrior would lean down and kiss me. He obliged. I pulled away shyly, still brimming with more questions to ask him.
“How did you get me out of there?”
“I found my way to Vermont by chance. After that, it took a few days longer than I expected. I could only move at night and I attracted a fair share of attention.”
I must’ve blanched because Vidar stroked the small of my back and kissed my forehead again.
“Don’t worry, little earthling, we are quite safe where we are now.”
“Your ship?”
“My ship and earth’s orbit. If you want, you can come into the cockpit with me and see that pretty blue planet of yours.”
“We’re in space?!”
I leapt off the bed and hastened towards the doors. Vidar chuckled.
“Slow down, will you? Last I checked, you don’t even know the way.”
“We’re inspace,Vidar. You don’t know how long I’ve dreamed of this! If John were here…”
I grew silent for a moment. Vidar came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me from behind, his bulging forearm warming my neck and chest. This was protective too. I leaned into his forearm, tempted to give it a little kiss.
“You worry about John,” he said.
“Yes. Of course.”
“I admit to my own selfishness,” Vidar replied, “I rescued you but I never gave the chap a second thought.”
I turned to Vidar and took his large hand in mine.
“Promise me something?”
“Whatever you want.”
“Promise me we’ll go back for John. Right after we see Earth, we have to go back for him. I can’t leave him to whatever sick fate the soldiers have planned. I just can’t.
“I promise I’ll do everything in my power.”
I squeezed his hand and Vidar surprised me by pulling free and reaching for my waist.
“Vidar! What are you doing? Ahhh!”
He hoisted me off my feet and as I flailed, he gently set me on top of his shoulders. I sat there, legs straddling his neck as he carried me effortlessly.
“That way,” he explained, “You won’t over exert yourself.”
I squealed and kicked a little. Vidar was impervious to my awkward flailing as I got used to being perched up so high on his big, strong, shoulders.
