Chapter 27
When Sylvie awoke, she was sore, but it was a good sore. She turned on her side to look at the man who'd made love to her like no human man ever could.
X was deeply asleep, a small smile on his face. He looked so innocent, so relaxed. She wanted to press a kiss into his mouth, to wake him and entice him to take her again. Being the object of desire and affection for a man with his power, his looks, his strength, was overwhelming and addictive.
You have to go. Now, or you’ll never leave.
Instead, she crept out of bed and began fastening her clothing as quietly as possible. She could ignore the burn of despair that rose from the pit of her stomach until she was headed home. Then she would lament over the death of something that was building to be beautiful and sustaining.
She would take the orders he'd written and get to the central hub and off the planet before he woke up.
He got what he wanted.We had a deal. I doubt he'll care too much when he wakes up and finds me gone.
A part of her didn't believe that, but now wasn’t the time for second-guessing herself. He had a planet to run and she had a lab to attend to. Simple. Really.
Sylvie left the regent's chambers, surprised to see that the crowd was still outside. They began shouting as soon as they saw her, so she quickly pressed the orders into the major's hand.
"Please hurry," she said, eyeing the protesters around her.
"Of course." He pulled up a mini console from a device around his wrist and ordered a new set of guards to take up their post at the regent's door. Two new guards arrived quickly.
They must be close to keep an eye on this crowd and make sure it doesn't get out of hand.
The old guards made sure to exchange energies with the new ones, ascertaining that neither were Hareema operatives. Then she was being led down the hallway, through the shouting crowd, and toward the central hub.
She looked back at the regent's door and frowned as tears burned her gaze. It seemed a tragedy to end things that way, but how else could she be sure of an easy departure from Zanthar? The regent had promised to let her go, but she didn't think she wanted to wait for him to dismiss her in person. It was easier to just sneak out.
No messy goodbyes.
The central hub rose in front of her, and the major used the orders to secure a small transport. He put in the order for two attack ships to meet them above the surface and started to power up the engine.
As they waited in line to exit through one of the membranes, Sylvie began to cry. She wasn't sure where the tears were coming from, but they spilled over onto her cheeks as she angrily wiped them away. It was supposed to be a quick romp in the sheets. Just sex.
Then why does my heart feel like it’s being shredded?
No matter what, goodbyes are messy, especially when love is involved.
