I look at the Solcrue medicine. “Solcrue are descendants of humans. It should be compatible. It always has been.”
She rasps a pained grunt. “My blood...is on fire.”
I immediately unstrap the band and remove it. I look it over and at the healed injury on her head. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. You didn’t know.” She calms a little. “I didn’t know.”
“What can I do?”
“Nothing. I think... I have to heal on my own.”
I don’t like that idea. “There must be something I can do.”
“Just...stay with me.” Aera weakly tries to scoot over on the bed. “I’m so cold. I know you’re warm.”
“I do not want to turn you to stardust.”
“Then touch my skin, and be human with me for a while. You won’t hurt me that way, right?”
I hesitate to crawl into bed with her, but then she begs me and looks up at me with such fear, like she doesn’t want to die alone, that I cave.
Removing my gloves, I ease my body down beside her shivering one, draw her against my chest, and fold myself around her. Nuzzling into the nook of her neck and shoulder, I press my mouth to her skin. The softness of her body spreads through me. “We are safe here. There is no one looking for us. Just rest, Aera. But please fight through this.”
“Why?” she asks with a pained rasp. “Everyone wants so much from me. I’m so tired.”
“I know what that’s like. So much.”
Reaching up to sweep her loose hair from her face, I notice the human hue of my hand and admire it for a moment. It’s been so long since I last saw what it looked like in that form that it’s an out-of-body experience.
Running the back of a finger down the side of her face, I search deep within for a memory of this feeling. And I find one. It is filled with fear of the days ahead, of what it will be like if I die and am made into a metal man.
It’s strange being on the other side now, looking back and wondering where the years went.
Aera laces her fingers with mine and draws my hand to her chest. I can feel her heartbeat, the heaviness of it, and I realize just how much she needs me.Or at least someone.
“I’m here. Anything you need, you tell me.”
“Just...stay.”
Chapter 16: Aera
Evo remains with me like he says he will. He stays at my side, keeping me warm, like a firm protective wall around me. I’m not sure if he sleeps, but I hope he does. He finds me food and water when I need it, helps me up so I can do my business, then carries me back to bed. And I sleep again.
On the second day, I wake, and consciousness returns with more clarity. My vision focuses on the mirrored metal wall beside the bed. Evo’s muscled arm is laced around my side and clutches me against his hot, shirtless,humanbody.
I shift so I can get a better look at him.
Evo’s eyelids flutter like he’s on the edge of waking up. He’s grown eyelashes in his human form, and a few freckles dot his face.
I don’t have freckles there.
His hair is a reddish medium brown color instead of his Titan carbon fiber hair. I slowly reposition so I can face him and watch as he sleeps...finally.
The soft glow behind his eyelids proves he is still a Titan inside. He breathes slowly and in a perfect, mechanical rhythm.
Evo’s breathing stops, his eyes brighten and open. “You’re awake.”
“Yeah. Who are you emulating?”
