“I am not a class jumper,” I snapped.
“But you are not his equal. Monqilcolnen was made for greater things than either you or I will accomplish, and to think that you”—he waved his hand at me—“can measure up is laughable.”
“Because of my wing?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “He doesn’t care.”
“I doubt he would. That’s not him. I don’t care about it either. Why would I? But many others will.”
“So?” I couldn’t live my life worried about what people would think about my wing. My malformed wing was a part of my body, and my body was amazing.
“He will have to deal with people questioning his choice.”
“As will I.” I knew exactly what I was in for if the two of us ended up together. The questions, the whispers, the curious looks would never cease.
“He also has someone.”
I froze. “What?”
“Monqilcolnen has never said anything to me directly, but there’s someone he’s wanted for a very long time.” Vorjyn crossed his arms as his tail flicked.
“How are you sure if he’s never told you?”
“Have you seen the cheap stylus he keeps in his office?”
Tension coiled like a spring in my gut. “Yes.”
“It belonged to that person. I touched it once, and Monqilcolnen lost all composure and attacked me. He warned me to never touch it again. Told me it belonged to the most important person to him.”
“It might not be someone he wants,” I said weakly.
He snorted. “You don’t believe that either.” Vorjyn took a step closer. “Look, kid, you’re young, and you don’t want to break yourself on him. Shape up and move on. But it’s your choice. I honestly don’t care either way. I’m leaving as soon as I can find a ride out of Coalition space.”
I stared at the empty corridor, Vorjyn a long time gone, soul thudding. If Monqilcolnen wanted someone else, then why was he with me? Listlessly, I wandered back to the bedroom and lay next to Monqilcolnen. The instant I was under the sheet, he rolled and drew me close. With his nose buried in the crook of my neck, he grunted, slinging a leg over me.
“Wyn,” he muttered. “Where were you?”
“Water,” I squeaked.
“Sleep.” Monqilcolnen tightened his grasp. All I could do was stare at him. Would he ever be mine, or was I being foolish? My eyes burned. I feared I knew the answer to that question.
Chapter 38
Why don't I remember?
I prodded the exposed wiring in the conduit with my tool. It was misaligned, and I was attempting to right the problem, but my mind wasn’t on the task. All I could think about was that space-begotten stylus in Monqilcolnen’s office. It had been three days since Vorjyn had dropped that particular piece of information, and not once had it left my thoughts. During this time, I’d barely seen Monqilcolnen—we were both busy, and I was still hurt about the stupid stylus. However, I’d caught glimpses of him with Vorjyn. The sight irked me. It didn’t matter Vorjyn had said he possessed no designs on Monqilcolnen; I still didn’t like it.
It also didn’t help that Cencay had basically proclaimed themself our relationship go-between. We’d taken to running around the docking ring together every night, and they’d given me, in excruciating detail, exactly what Monqilcolnen had done all day. They were trying to help, or perhaps they’d sensed my jealousy and were trying to ease it. However, hearing about Monqilcolnen from someone else was grating on me.
Hissing, I yanked back when I poked the wire too hard and it split. Now I had to domorework. I was eating lunch with Seth and Urgg, and I had to finish this first. My thoughts needed to stop focusing on the stylus and start focusing on the job in front of me.
“Problem?” Edith asked, her voice coming through my touchstone. At least she’d stopped infiltrating theAdmiral Ven’s systems.
“No,” I replied, jabbing the conduit in front of me without even looking.
“Hmm, somehow, I don’t believe that is an accurate statement.”
I grunted. This wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have.
“Edith Smith says we shouldn’t force people to talk about what bothers them. Seth says much the same. But sometimes I do think it would be convenient if I could force people to speak, then I could solve their problems,” she commented. “I am very wise.”
