“That’s not what happened!” I exclaimed. “Leeloo had no intention of helping you—of helpingus.We have a mission to complete?—”
“And justhoware we supposed to complete the mission of freeing Uuktar when I can’t dissolve shields I didn’t fucking create?!“ he shouted in reply.
I gaped at my mate, not only because Micah raising his voice to me was a rarity, but because his continued blindness to his own greatness was baffling.
How can I make you see what I see?
“Micah.” I spread my hands beseechingly. “Iknowyou can do it. All it will take is?—”
“What?Whatwill it take, Ziggy?” He stepped forward, soft brown eyes flashing dangerously. “The Force? Some magical Stellarian pixie dust? Thoughts and prayers?”
You believing in yourself the way I believe in you.
Even without our connection—which was still oddly stifled—I would have registered my mate’s emotional pain. The worst part was knowing he thoughtIwas the cause of it.
Youarethe cause of it, Ziggy.
“Sunshine…” I trailed off, unsure how to fix this. “You’re my stellar collision. It’s my responsibility to protect you.”
“Yeah, well, it didn’t feel like protection,” he huffed. “It felt like you were stopping me from becoming as powerful as you.”
WHAT?!
“What are you talking about?!” I shouted as shame and terror flooded my system. “You are already more powerful than me. I’ve told you countless times—you are the most impressive creature in all the galaxies.”
Why don’t you believe me?
Micah sighed. “You know… I’m starting to think that’s just something you came up with so you don’t have to tell me how you really feel.”
Oh, fuck.
On the one hand, I couldn’t fathom how this impressive,perfectcreature didn’t know how I felt about him, but on the other, I knew exactly why he didn’t.
“Babygirl.” I placed my palm on the shield, wishing he would lower it so I could touch him. “I…”
I…
Why can’t I say it?
I saw his face fall as I failed to complete the sentence—failed to express just how deeply I cared for him—and my borrowed heart shattered along with his.
“Goodnight, Ziggy,” Micah whispered, back to his impassive mask. “See you tomorrow.”
Even though I knew this conversation was over for tonight, I stood in the gangway for a long time after the door closed, mentally replaying everything—the words said and unsaid.
I really fucked this up.
It was only after I returned to the cockpit that I realized the implications of Micah locking Pedro in the bedroom with him.
He was using his shields to protectbothof them.
From me.
33
MICAH
I waspissedat Ziggy Andromeda.
