14
"Iam sorry."
"Please stop telling me that you're sorry," Caoimhe said as they walked to the apartments that had been made for the Terran Ambassadors.Her arm ached, but the pain was not nearly as bad as it had been initially.It would heal.Wounds healed.If this was the worst injury she endured on this adventure, then she would count herself lucky.She wasn't shot.Or killed.Or blown up."It was an accident."
Bahran had been apologizing for over an hour while her shoulder and arm were healed--the bones had fractures in them and had to be repaired.The nanites had started the process, but it required a little more attention than what the nanites could do.
And the whole time, Bahran didn't leave her side.
Or let go of her free hand.
Or stop apologizing.
Even when the others, including her sister, wanted to see her and make sure she was okay.Reuniting in a small medical bay was not easy, but it could be done.And the joy it brought her to see her sister, to know that she was well, that probably helped heal her more than anything.A relief to a stress she had been ignoring.Knowing that they all were well--as best as could be, of course.Bianca was still not fully healed, but she wasn't critically injured.That, she was thankful for as well.
And just by looking, she could tell the Rhimodians who had rescued each of them was taking very good care of each Ambassador.
They will get through this.They had to.All of them, together.Her father had played them all, and she was determined not to let him destroy these people.
Bahran sighed."It was my fury that hurt you."
She shook her head."Your attack was not well thought out, and I have to say, I wouldn't think that would be a problem with your cybernetic brain and all--I assumed you had run through a thousand possibilities and your leaping at me and the soldier was the best option."
"I did not rational my attack.I just attacked.And it caused you injury.For that I feel guilt.And I meant what I said on the ship.I do promise--"
"Stop, please.You do not have to bind yourself to me for life because you broke my arm on accident while trying to save my life."Many cultures bind themselves to others to repay a debt.While she really liked Bahran, she did not want him to bind himself to her out of regret or guilt or some other silly thing.
She didn't want anyone bonded to her that did so out of guilt or obligation.
"I trusted my feelings and I hurt you," he said, his voice low."I cannot trust them."
Even his shoulders slumped a little bit as he spoke.It saddened her that he did not think he could control his emotions.
"Sure you can.We would not be here if it wasn't for your emotions."
He paused and she turned to look in his eyes.He was ready to ask her a question, but she didn't let him."Your emotions made you reach out to me in the first place, to find your people.We would not be here, if it wasn't for your feelings."
"Of guilt.Obligation.Doing the right thing."
"Those things come from emotions as well.It is not just extreme passions that guide humanoids."She patted his chest with her free hand."Stop being afraid of them.Emotions are a good thing."
"We are not accustomed to them being so strong."
"You do not have enough women in your life."
This did make him smile."Never really had any beyond short acquaintances."
"Aren't you glad you met me?"
"Very much, Princess."
"I am too," she replied."And I trust you and your emotions.If you had not have done what you did, that humanoid would have stabbed me."
"You shoved your elbow into him."
She sighed."Veta already yelled at me that it was the dumbest thing I could have done.She likely will be giving me hours of self defense training when we return to the palace, because, as she put it, 'it was the stupidest think you could have done, and if that cyborg had not have been there, you would be dead.'"she glanced at him and smiled.Veta wasn't wrong.It wasn't the smartest thing she could have done in the moment, and Veta was right, some more training would be good for her.
"Your body guard is very opinionated."
