He kissed the top of my forehead. I leaned against him and he wrapped his arm around me.
“Before we rescue John, I want to tell you something,” he said, “But I’m not sure how you will respond.”
My heart pumped faster. I couldn’t tell what he planned on saying to me but I was nervous. Since our first encounter together, Vidar always through me off. I hadn’t expected to feelattraction to him, much less the rest of my emotional cocktail that had been surging even stronger since my rescue.
He was timid for a moment and then he sighed, apparently determined just to get what he was thinking off his chest.
“I believe I’m in love with you.”
“Do you mean that?”
I wanted to ask if he meant it the way I meant it, if love for a Polluxian was similar to love for an earthling.
“Of course I mean it.”
“Vidar… I think I love you too.”
TWELVE
VIDAR
As I heldher close in the cockpit of my aircraft, I sensed her feelings for me were real. Without my ocular implant, I sensed the exchange of energy between us and that by confessing aloud what we both knew to be true, we’d exposed our vulnerabilities and experienced the relief of shared emotions. We were safe here together.
She was still bothered, with elevated cortisol levels and a shuddering heartbeat. I understood without having to ask.
“You will not cease your worrying until you know John is safe,” I murmured, half telling her and half asking.
“I can’t help it, Vidar.”
“While you sleep tonight, I will find John and rescue him.”
“I’m coming with you,” she insisted.
I knew she would insist, and I was prepared to do everything in my power to keep her safe, no matter how she fought against her best interests.
“It’s far too dangerous for you to come to the surface.”
“You don’t know earth the way that I do. Plus, John’s probably injured. You can’t handle him alone.”
“Yes, I can. You must stay here, Minerva.”
“I refuse!”
“Oh?”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Yup. I refuse. And there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“Nothing?”
“Not a damn thing.”
I grabbed her waist and swooped her off the ground lifting her over my shoulders as she screamed.
“AHHHHHH! Vidar! You put me down right now!”
“I refuse,” I replied, smirking.
