"It does indeed."
"Almost makes me wish we didn't have to leave and go back to our lives."
Cael studied her face as well as he could in the darkness. Did she fear going back to her home?
"Tell me about your life, Midori. How did you come to be on the ship heading for Rivia in the first place?"
Cael immediately regretted asking the question. The whole aspect of her body shifted as she considered her answer. Tensionflickered over her face, and she drew her arms around herself as if hugging her stomach could keep it all in.
"I'm sorry," he backtracked. "It's really none of my business. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to."
"But I do want to. I feel safe with you, Cael."
He nodded and stayed silent as he waited for her to say more. After a few moments, she took a deep breath and eventually found the words to tell him about her past.
"A few years ago, I thought I found the love of my life. We were engaged to be married. I was with him for several years, even dropped out of college to be with him. But the week before our wedding, he called the whole thing off. I was devastated. Depressed. I felt like the unluckiest person alive.
"I'd lost my dad when I was a child. He died in a helicopter accident in the Army. Then my mom passed away from breast cancer when I was in high school. Then I lost him—the man who was supposed to love and cherish me more than anyone else in the world. Only, he didn't love me. He was just going through the motions and realized he couldn't do it.
"I cried for a week. I couldn't get out of bed. Couldn't do anything. Eventually, I lost my job. Lost my apartment. I didn't know it then, but I'd lost myself. My sister saved me. She forced me to go to a doctor and helped me get some counseling. She let me move in with her and supported me every step of the way as I tried to pull myself together. It took a long time, but I finally realized my worth was not determined by anyone else but myself. I may have been unlucky in life and love, but I wouldn't let it stop me from living.
"A year after the Rivians made contact with Earth and started the Rivian-Earthling Attachment Program, some couples realized they couldn't have babies on their own and needed surrogate mothers. It paid well. Really well. It promised to be an adventure of a lifetime without the commitment of a lifetime;just what I was looking for. So I signed up, and I convinced my sister to join me. She had a great job as an astronomer already, but this way she'd really get to be among the stars.
"We'd just boarded the ship a few hours before and were on our way to Rivia and a new life when we were attacked. A few weeks later, I met you."
An amalgam of emotions swirled within him as her story ended. She'd loved someone else. Did she love him still? How could any Earthan man be foolish enough to throw away the gift of her love unrequited? Whomever he was, he must be an insensate half-wit.
The thought of Midori in pain made his chest tighten and his own breath quicken. He'd never do that to her. Never make her feel that way. He swore it. Her happiness and well-being were all that mattered.
A yawn escaped Midori's lips. "I'm sorry. Everything must be catching up with me. I could fall asleep right here."
An image flickered through his mind of Midori snuggled naked in his arms while she slept peacefully in the warmth of the waters. But it wasn't the best idea. He'd learned from their encounter with the vyrmm that he needed to be prepared to fight or run when they rested. At least until they made their way to safety.
"We should get some rest. I'll find the pig dog and give you some privacy."
Midori nodded, her face unreadable as she turned around and faced the back of the grotto. It only took him a moment to wipe the excess water from his skin and dress. He left her alone while he traveled back along the path to the main cavern.
Pugly was lying on his belly, his head resting between his folded hooves. "Are you finished, then? Has my ineffable queen finally grown tired of you?"
Cael chuckled at the beast's jealousy which so closely mirrored his own when he thought of the man Midori had once loved. "Nothing happened, pig dog. You've nothing to worry about. Come. We'll get some rest, but we should stay together."
The beast gave a snort of approval and jumped to its feet before giving a shake of its shaggy body and heading back to the grotto.
The rocky floor of the cave had one large smooth spot where the trio bedded down for the night. Even though the air was warm, the rocky terrain was cool to the touch, and Midori didn't argue when Cael suggested she sleep tucked in between him and the furry pig dog. She snuggled in his arms and was asleep within a few seconds.
Cael smiled at the soft sound of Midori's gentle snores as she slept in his arms. His heart gave a tug, and for a moment, he thought about what it would be like to have her fall asleep in his arms every night. The perfect bliss of knowing she was his mate for the rest of their lives. The thought of her belly swollen with their child, a perfect mix of the both of them. It was tempting to imagine it, but he knew it wasn't meant to be. Midori already had plans for her future, and they didn't include him.
Cael sighed, and darkness crept in with memories he'd rather forget.
He'd just returned to Zyranth after his father's passing. He was walking through the palace, looking for his uncle. His friend and guard, Baelor, was missing. In fact, all of his guards had been removed from service. He wanted answers. But his uncle had other plans.
"So, the prodigal has returned. And how many credits did you spend this time, nephew? Just how much of the royal treasury have you wasted on your selfish games and philandering?"
"I'm done with that sort of lifestyle, uncle. I have been for some time now. My greatest concern is for Zyranth and its prosperity. I know I've made questionable choices in the past?—"
"Questionable? Try irresponsible."
"But I want to change. I want to be more. Do more for our nation. I know my father wanted this for me."
