His fingers clenched around hers. “Why not?”
Her throat bobbed in a swallow. “Because…I’m not going anywhere.” Her hand cupped his jaw, and shivers spread through his skin. “I love you and I don’t want to leave. You scare me, and aggravate me, but when I’m with you I’ve never felt more alive.”
He closed his eyes, his body slumping against the med bed. She wasn’t going anywhere. When he opened his eyes, a smile quirked her lips. “Does that sound about right?”
Mace nodded. “We’re still married.”
“What?” She stood, pink highlighting her cheeks.
He turned his head to keep her gaze. “I didn’t divorce you during the emancipation process. I forgot. Or maybe I didn’t want to. I don’t know.” Each word came out like a flood. “But I want to marry you again. Properly. I want to make you mine the traditional way.”
Her expression softened. “That sounds about right.” Leaning forward, she brushed his lips with hers.
Electricity shot through his body. When she straightened this time, her gaze darted over him, cheeks darkening in color.
He tugged her closer with his hand. “There’s someone else in the room, isn’t there?”
“It’s Betel.” She cupped his cheek. “He’s been watching over you.”
Betel grunted.
Mace was glad it was someone he trusted because of what he wanted to say next. “Admiral Krispin said there’s a way to protect you even with your lineage. I know he’d help as a sponsor, or whatever we need.”
A frown puckered her brow. “Someone said the Admiral was hurt and is in surgery.”
His stomach dropped, and he realized his eyelids were drooping again. He squeezed her fingers tighter, not wanting her to leave him, even for a minute.
“Where are we?” Mace didn’t recognize this particular sickbay.
“Orion. Section A. We’re headed to Saturn with theMercenaryandRebel.”
So they’d gotten the thing moving. If anyone could have done it, it was Cache. She was too fucking stubborn to fail at anything.
“How long have I been out?”
She glanced at the control panel at the head of the med bed. “A little over an hour.”
“What about the traitor you saw?”
Her brow furrowed, a tinge of fear entering her eyes. “He wasn’t on board any of the medical vessels. He might have changed his plans after he saw me. Or maybe he wasn’t heading here at all. I don’t know. But he’s not on board. Cache made me look at all the personnel files of those who’ve returned.”
Mace’s chest seized at the thought of having the man go free, someone who’d tried to kill Nia and almost succeeded. He deserved to die just for touching her. A long, agonizing death.
The door opened behind him where he couldn’t see, and Nia jumped, letting go of his hand to raised hers surrender-style.
What the fuck? He tried to lift his head to see what was going on, but the drugs she’d given him were taking effect.
“Euphenia Jannex, you’re under arrest for treason. Hands on your head.”
The male voice wasn’t familiar. Mace struggled to sit, to protect her, his brain foggy. Whatever she’d shot into his neck made his limbs weak, refusing to cooperate. “Betel,” he mumbled, knowing his friend would understand.
Hands on her head, Nia’s eyes flicked to his and Mace saw the fear there. His anger mounted.
Then Betel was beside her, partially shielding her body.
“Stand aside, Lieutenant,” the same voice said. “If you interfere, we’re going to have to take you down.”
Betel’s hand hovered over his weapon.
