“In some ways, it’s a step in the right direction, but do you believe that this will really happen?”
“Not overnight, but it’s a start, and a start is better than nothing, And don’t forget, Eve, we are the ones enforcing these laws at the Spire,” Rafe says. “And hopefully, in the future, the Championships will be completely voluntary.”
I shudder. “Who would sign up for that?” But as soon as I say it, I know people would. I know that as long as it pays enough or has some kind of fame connected to it, a certain kind of person would do it, like sci-fi gladiators. Humanity has the same desire for violence and sex that Imperials have.
“I don’t know,” Rafe says, “but as part of your sentence, you’ll need to find humans to willingly leave Earth and sign up for it. And also find humans to work for the Ascendant Alliance. But you won’t have to use coercion or meet high-quotas and it will all be subject to IGC audit.”
I feel dizzy now. “I can’t believe you want me to be a slave recruiter? No. I’d rather stay here. I?—”
I’ve done enough of the Devil’s work for a lifetime.
Rafe cuts me off. “I can’t believe you’d think that. No. I know there are some humans who would like to work in the galaxy. They won’t be companions or slaves, but free employees. Free competitors to sign up for the Grand Championships and keep their winnings. Or free employees. That’s what we’re trying to do here. It’s not enough to only have one human who is free working legally. We need a population of humans working as equals.”
I can see in their faces that they’re surprised I’m not happier with their compromise.
“Progress takes time and we thought you’d rather be a part of it on the front lines than stay here as a pet to our father,” Lorian says.
He’s not wrong.
“Accept our marriage proposal and this unique opportunity. Help us change the galaxy, Eve,” Lorian says.
I look over the terms of my new sentence again. “You did this all for me?”
“Yes. We were always on the fence about humans,”Rafe says.
“But you swayed us,” Lorian adds.
I look down at my naked body and touch my collar. “On the fence? Really?”
“Perhaps more on one side than the other,” Rafe corrects and takes off his jacket and puts it around my shoulders. It smells wonderfully of him and is so warm. It’s been more than a year since I’ve worn clothing, and the physicality of it almost brings tears to my eyes again.
Lorian tries to help me upright.
"I can't—I'm not ready?—"
“Please,” Lorian says. “Forgive us, Eve. If there is someone else you want dead? Aefre? Just say the name.”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Eve, I recognize that spoken out loud, these new terms may seem worse than staying here. And maybe you don’t believe us about Zira or don’t want to marry us, but?—”
“No,” I say gathering my thoughts. But then I see them both deflate. “No,” I repeat. “Idowant this. I’m just confused. No one has talked to me like a person in over a year, and I still can’t decide if this is real.”
Without warning, they take me in their arms and hold me so close I can hardly breathe. I can feel both of their heartbeats against me, encompassing me. And they both say, at the same time, “It’s real, Eve.”
“I swear, you’ll never have a reason to doubt us again,” Rafe adds.
Lorian kisses the top of my head. “You’re ours, forever, Eve. It’s been hell without you. Having to pretend we’re okay while you were suffering here. But now, everything is as it should be, and we’re here to take you home. To our home, with us always. Please say you’ll come. We can’t live another second without you.”
I can’t quite believe what they’re saying.
Rafe adds, “I promise you, Eve, no matter what you were made to believe here, you were not replaced, forgotten or unloved by us. Our hearts have always been here with you and there was not a minute that passed that we didn’t think of you in everything we did.”
My eye catches on Rafe’s ring. It’s on his hand.
“Your ring. I thought I had lost that,” I say.
He looks down and takes it off. “It’s yours. My father gave it to me after your escape. He was worried you would lose it.”
