She shook her head, not wanting to talk about it, but when the arm around her squeezed gently, she knew she had to give him something. “It hurt, but it was all mental. All in my head.”
His body shifted beneath hers, like he would demand more, when she saw the melted patch of uniform on his arm.
“You’re injured.” She sat up straight, bumping his chin.
“It’s just a graze.”
“Is there a med kit in here?”
“Probably behind the seat. It’s not worth fussing over.”
“Are you trying to win the martyr-of-the-year award?”
A breath puffed against her forehead. “All right.” He jostled her forward, reaching, then pulled a med kit from behind him.
She didn’t waste any time peeling his uniform away from the injury and regenerated the damaged tissue. When she was finished, she passed him the kit and snuggled into his chest.
“Where are we headed?” she asked after a while.
“Somewhere safe to lay low for a while.”
She frowned at his vague answer. Leaning forward, she read the nav display. Unease skittered through her. “Are we flying through CORE space?”
“Yeah.” His arm flexed around her.
Nia’s heart beat uncomfortably in her chest. CORE space. A month ago, she would have been elated. Since yesterday, she didn’t want to have anything to do with the CORE.
And they might be in a CORE fighter right now, but the protection of its camouflage would only last for so long.
Trying to shed the apprehension creeping through her body, she leaned into Mace’s chest. Her heart throbbed painfully at what had happened, what she’d done. The CORE had control ofOrion,and she didn’t see how that would change anytime soon. Two Guardians protected it, with probably more to come. Thinking of defenders and administrators swarming all overOrionunfettered made her skin crawl.
Instead of allowing those imaginings to take over her brain, she turned slightly to study Mace.
Stubble across his jaw gave him a scruffy appearance. His hair was mussed and onOrion, she’d seen him run his hands through it. Concentration pinched his features as he monitored the ship’s systems. Nia barely resisted the urge to smooth his brow.
His piercing blue eyes flicked to hers and softened.
“Are we still married?” she blurted.
His eyebrows jumped. “Technically…” She narrowed her eyes when his voice trailed off. “Yes. Our situation stands. You’d own everything of mine if I died.”
The words so casually spoken made her stomach drop. “Don’t say that.”
“You always deserve the truth,izar.” He tucked a curl behind her ear.
“What does that word mean?”
“Izar?”
She nodded.
“Light. My light.” He pressed his lips against her hair.
A sigh escaped her, unbidden, and Nia closed her eyes.
After a while, he said, “You’re not my captive, Nia. Not anymore.”
Relief tangled with dread in her chest. She should have been happy to hear those words, but they created more questions than answers.
