Even Bianca would admit she felt at least that much for him.
The dusky light that came in from outside, the eclipse light, not quite daylight, not quite full night, had given everything an alabaster wash. They both probably looked paler than they were in the light. The cave walls had a shine to them, as if the stones were Iridescent, adding to the unusual glow. Since she wasn't as distracted by freezing, she could truly appreciate the beauty of it.
She could not get over the cold of this planet.
How the Rhimodians came and worked here baffled her. They would have proper residences. That would make a big difference.
While Harbin kept her as warm as possible, the cold still seeped in.
A good distraction from the cold, he was. A competent lover, he remained diligent at making sure she was moist and ready for him before he entered her.
More than she'd had with her previous lover.
Was that where this was going? That the Emperor was now classified to her as a previous lover? That she would no longer be involved with him that way?
She glanced at Harbin, asleep next to her.
This large male made her feel more beautiful and special in only a few days than the Emperor had in over a decade. So caring and compassionate, Harbin was careful not to hurt her, something the Emperor never cared about.
Maybe she really was ready to get away from the Emperor.
After all, the girls were grown now.
They may still need her, but Bron doesn't.
Of course, he never did.
Not really.
Bianca studied Harbin. What had this humanoid, this cyborg, done that had shown her so much in her life that was wrong? In only a few days of conversation, he did so much for her.
Was he in love with her? Did he even know what that meant?
She still stumbled over what he'd said.
Rather, what he'd almost said before. She could see it in his eyes about offering to be her partner, her mate. And while she thought it was sweet, truly, she was likely the first female he'd ever considered such a commitment with. From what he'd told her before, women were not something they had a lot of experience with. As far as relationships went, anyway. The idea that they could not find mates saddened her because finding a partner was important. Many people found happiness there.
She didn't.
But many people did.
She liked to think that the Emperor and Fallon were once happy.
She didn't believe it was true, but she wanted to trust that her friend was truly happy being the Empress. Pleased enough that she brought two beautiful daughters into the world.
She didn't want to think otherwise about her friend. Or the Emperor. Though she was there that night when they told him about her death.
Had he cared?
Did he care at all that she had died?
He did not seem to.
A tear welled up in her eye. She brushed it away because she didn't want to think about it. She could assume she knew all she wanted. It did nothing to change the past. And the future was not written yet.
She stroked Harbin's arm, her finger hesitating on the edge of the metal gauntlet on his forearm.
Anything could happen in the future.
