“When you didn’t come back, I knew you’d made it through. Mom would’ve been proud of you.”
He took a swig of caff to avoid replying. She definitely wouldn’t have been proud of the man he’d been growing up.
“Imara mentioned something about a ‘Gemma.’ I take it she’s your girlfriend? You’ve never had one of those before. Did you meet her in the Trials?”
“I did, and yes, she’s my girlfriend. She’s kind and gentle. Not a mean bone in her body. She’s been through a lot, and it hasn’t broken her. You remember me telling you about those beasts that spew acid? I actually watched her slide down a mountainside to save a friend, even though one of them was mere feet from her. She’s fucking incredible. You’d like her a lot, I think.”
A giddy grin covered Lysa’s face. “Okay, wait. That look on your face right now is one I haven’t seen before. Since when did you get all lovesick and sappy? Should I start sending invitations for the wedding?”
He shoved his sister, which made her laugh. Heat rose in his cheeks. “I’ve only known her for a few months. Though how fast and hard I fell for her did blindside me. I could tell she was just . . . different from any woman I knew. Contradictory in the best sort of way. She bears a deep darkness inside her that mirrors mine, yet she can’t help but care for people and bring a little light into their world.” His heart pinched. Stars, he missed her so fucking much.
“You love her, then?” Lysa asked, softer and more genuine this time.
He nodded. “I do.” A memory sparked. “And, actually, do you remember when I broke my leg when I was maybe seven?”
“Not really. I was four.”
“Okay, touché. But anyway, Mom took me to the infirmary closest to home, and it was Gemma’s mom who set my leg. Gemma had started training with her already, and Gemma actually gave me her rations for the month to help me get better.” He chuckled. “Honestly, I think once I made that connection, it was over for me already. There aren’t that manypeople in this starsforsaken place that are kind, even at seven. Everybody mocks the idea of falling for someone the first time you meet them—blast, I fucking did. But then it happened to me, and it made sense. Sometimes, you just know.”
Lysa’s expression was one of pure happiness. Too often, the time they spent together was wrapped up in sewing his skin back together or popping his shoulder back in place or calming him down after his temper flared.
A warmth grew in his chest. If only he’d been able to make Lysa happy more often while they’d grown up.
“But enough about me,” he said, switching the subject. “How are you holding up?”
Her face fell, and he mentally kicked himself.
“I’m not sure, to be honest,” Lysa replied. “I mean, what happens to Dad and me now? Can we go back home? Will I ever even be able to leave the flat?”
Christian frowned. “I don’t know. I don’t like the thought of either of you staying here in Perileos either. Give me a chance to talk to Governor Gallowood. Maybe there are some strings he could pull or something.”
Lysa nodded.
“By the way, what did you do with that box of creds I gave you before I left?” Christian asked.
“It’s with me here. I found a place to hide it in the room they gave me.”
He nodded. “Good. Don’t lose it.”
Their conversation was interrupted by loud voices carrying from the hall. Christian recognized one right away—Hawk. The other sounded like Philip, but considering their voices were harsh but muffled, he couldn’t be sure. They grew louder as they neared the break room.
“What do you mean I can’t see her?” Hawk seethed.
“I already told you,” the other voice replied, “it’s not safe for either of them to know you’re here.” Definitely Philip.
“She’s my daughter. You can’t keep her from me.”
“I can, and it’s for your own good, son—and theirs. As soon as we find Nadine and dismantle the Dissent, you’ll be gone. Do you really want to put them through that kind of heartache? Your former girlfriend didn’t pass her Trials. She’s stuck here for the rest of her life.”
“You can get her out.”
“She knew what she signed up for. It’s in the contract. Give you a child at eighteen, and then she will want for nothing the rest of her life. Your daughter is lucky her mom failed her Trials. At least now Melody will have her mother around, unlike either of us. And in eighteen years, it’ll be Melody’s turn to take her Trials, and hopefully you can see her again. Until then, all she’ll get from you are calls and messages. That’s the way it’s been for generations. Even your mother understood.”
“Don’t mention her. Of all people,she’sthe one you chose to fuck?”
“Say that one more time.” The tone in Philip’s voice made the hairs on the back of Christian’s neck rise. When Hawk didn’t answer, Philip continued, “Do not bring up this topic with me again. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
