Vailun pauses, clearly waiting for me to snap at her so she can scold me like a disobedient child. I’m not sure if she’s pleased or annoyed when I remain silent. Her resting bitch face doesn’t change. “It’s your pheromones that helped Professor Rizven recognize you as a fated mate and stop him from attacking you. Those same pheromones, applied over a longer period through scent emission and the exchange of bodily fluids, helped restore his higher brain function. Professor Rizven is currently in full remission. However, he is not cured, and once he loses access to your pheromones, the effects of the red fog will return in full.”
So we just have to stay together. That’s hardly an issue for us, but it’s probably not good news for the Wehdi in general. “This won’t help the others at all, will it? My pheromones,” damn, it feels weird to say that, “will only work on Rizven and not on anyone else.” We’ve decided it would be easier for me to use Adam’s actual name while dealing with strangers since it was getting confusing. “The breakthrough isn’t really a breakthrough, it’s just a stroke of luck. I’m sorry,” I add seriously. I might not like Vailun, but I don’t wish for her or anyone else to suffer the way Adam has.
She nods respectfully, her expression softening a fraction. “It is true that we are no closer to a cure, but this is still valuable information, Mr. Collins. Both that a fated mate bond combats the effects of the red fog and that we can have fated mates outside of our species. Our people… We’ve been isolating ourselves, worried about spreading our affliction to other species. We’ve had fated mate pairs within our species, like Professor Rizven’s parents, but they’re exceedingly rare. Knowing that we can find mates in other species, combined withthe fact that such a bond protects the Wehdi from the effects of the red fog, is invaluable. Your ‘stroke of luck’ may have changed the way our entire society lives.”
All because I fucked a feral alien. Well then. Here’s to making the universe a better place, one intercourse at a time. “What about Rizven? You said he’s in full remission. Does that mean you’re letting him go? You can’t expect him to act normal while you keep treating him like an animal.”
Adam stiffens. “Jaime—”
To my surprise, Vailon interrupts him, and not to sneer at me. “Mr. Collins is right. We have no right to hold you here or anywhere else.”
“I’m still dangerous,” Adam protests. “If Jaime and I ever got separated, I could—”
This time, it’s Tvr interrupting him. “Actually, we’re working on a solution for that. It wouldn’t be permanent, but it should give you a few extra days to either reunite with Mr. Collins or safely isolate yourself. Since we know it’s Mr. Collins’ pheromones that keep you stable, we’re analyzing their chemical structure in hopes of synthesizing them.”
I snort. “You’re going to…mass-produce my pheromones?” That’s a sentence I never thought I’d say out loud. It’s so weird I don’t even know how to feel about it. “In what, like a spray bottle?”
Tvr smiles. “Actually, if the artificial pheromones work, we’d use a subdermal implant that would keep delivering a steady dose of the chemical straight into Professor Rizven’s bloodstream. There’s also a psychological component to the red fog, which means that even with a functional implant, Professor Rizven wouldn’t be able to go without your presence for long.”
“It will have to be thoroughly tested,” Vailun continues, “but if the test results are positive and you agree to get regular blood tests done wherever you choose to relocate to and keepsending us results, you’ll be legally cleared to live as a regular citizen, despite your continued affliction.” Looking at me, she adds, “This decision was not made lightly. The Parliament had to approve a special addendum to the red fog law, an exception that allows people like Professor Rizven to lead normal lives provided certain conditions are met. We do not want to control our own citizens, but we also do not wish to be responsible for a potential tragedy.”
Politics and laws don’t really bother me, but I know Adam wouldn’t want to live on the run from his own people, so I’m grateful they were willing to change the law to grant us the exception. “So, if everything works out, we can just…go? Live happily ever after wherever we choose and do whatever we want, as long as we stay together and Adam gets regular blood tests? That’s it?”
“Yes,” Veilun confirms. “However, precautions must be taken in the event of your sudden death.”
“I request to be terminated in such a case,” Adam says.
My jaw drops, and I turn to gape at him. “No fucking way!”
“That request can be granted,” Veilun confirms. “I’ll send you the necessary paperwork to sign.”
She’s not just bitchy. She’s downright vicious. “You will do no such thing!” Adam tries to say something, but I don’t let him. “Absolutely not! I might only have a few years left and I won’t live them knowing that… No. Just no.”
“If I may,” Tvr interrupts my shocked rambling, his voice turning somber. “Your condition is another reason we’ve asked you to come here today. May I continue?”
Chapter 35
Jaime
Mycondition.Mystupidfucking condition that’s going to kill me in a few years, and then Adam will choose to die because he literally can’t live without me. I’ve never hated my condition more.
“Just say it,” I push through my gritted teeth. I already know Tvr doesn’t have good news because his smile is forced. “You can’t do anything for me, can you?” Why did I even let myself hope? People don’t get cured miraculously.
“Oh, there’s plenty we can do,” Tvr replies. “The genetic defect causing your polyneuropathy was difficult to discover.I’m not surprised human medicine failed to find it and even if they had, they wouldn’t have had the tools necessary to repair it. Fortunately, we are not bound by the same technological restrictions.”
I realize I’m squeezing Adam’s hand so hard I’m probably crushing his bones, but I can’t make myself stop. Also, my grip has never been stronger. My therapist might be evil, but she gets results. “What are you saying?” Can they help me or not? Why can’t he just say it?
“We’re working on targeted gene therapy that will fix the problematic part of your DNA. Essentially, we will rewrite it with something harmless.”
“You…” I swallow around the lump forming in my throat. “You’re going to rewrite my DNA? Just like that?”
Tvr smiles. “It’s a complicated procedure but yes, it can be done. It will solve your progressing paralysis, and with time and physical therapy, most of your motor function should return. However,” his smile falls, “the nerve damage in your legs is extensive and, more importantly, very old. Our restoration treatment might not be effective for your lower limbs. I’m afraid I cannot promise you full recovery. You might never walk unassisted again.”
I blink, waiting for him to say something else. To give me the real bad news. To tell me I’ll die soon and leave Adam behind to go crazy or kill himself. But he stays silent, watching me with a compassionate look.
“Wait.” I blink again. “Is that it? That’s the bad news? That I might not walk? Jesus fucking Christ! I couldn’t care less about walking! Actually, that’s not true. Walking would be nice, but… I came here hoping you could stop the polyneuropathy from progressing, or at least slow it down. To give me a few more years. I never thought—fuck.”
Tvr looks affronted. “Of course we were going to solve that issue. That’s an easy fix. I was just hoping to give you better news.”
