Now, the waiting began. However, the rest of the population needed help too. So Daer sent for the soldiers and took the required samples from them, then he brought in the campers, and finally the citizens who had not succumbed to the illness yet. He taught his friends how to take the samples in order to hurry the process along. He personally went to get a sample from Maxxus, trusting Josie to stay with Hope and Shara.
"I have no wish to be bothered," Maxxus stated when Daer arrived. "If you have come to bring more bad news, just leave. I have eyes and can see for myself that all hope is lost. Tomorrow I will announce the evacuation. Earth will have to find room for us. It seems I cannot rid myself of Josie after all."
"She will not leave, and neither will my family. You may have given up, but she did not. She has found the solution and Talonia will survive, without you if that is your wish. Our citizens still see her as queen and will gladly have her as ruler. They are disgusted with your attitude, as am I. What happened to the loving man who worked in the gardens, gloried in the birth of my daughter, and told stories to frightened children? The boy you aided in transforming fights against those who speak badly of you. Where is his hero?"
"That man left with Josie's betrayal. He was not real. He was a manifestation of what might have been. I was fine before she came. I could function and rule. She removed the wall around my heart, then stomped on it. What you see is a shell. Am I to assume she has made you believe there is a cure for Talonia? It will turn out to be another ploy, and she will leave for good. I find it hard to understand why she is still here. I heard her myself when she told her cohorts she would leave and how much she missed Earth."
"You heard the end of a conversation, and you let your fears overrule your head. Had you stayed and listened to her explanation, none of your pain would have come to pass. Your stubborn pride has caused the loss of many months you could have enjoyed at her side. It nearly cost you a lot more than that, but that is for Josie to tell, not me. She did not stomp on your heart. She cradles it within her, nurturing it to give back to you. She never betrayed you, not in the way you imagine, though you have forced her to keep secrets. She did not leave because this is home to her. You are home to her. Had you been privy to the entire conversation, you would have heard her tell the humans that she would never come back unless everyone had to. Right this minute, she is fighting to save my child, your niece, from death. I do not have time to waste arguing with you. Either you let me take the sample I came for and help restore Talonia, or I will be sure to let the people know you refused to be a part of saving us. You will get the revolt you always expected," Daer retorted.
"Take whatever you need. I will hold nothing back from Hope or my home. If my life can save the baby's, take it as well. As to Josie, she is better off without me. I am damaged beyond repair."
Daer chose to remain silent. He had planted the seed of doubt in Maxxus's mind and prayed it would sprout and grow. His mate still loved him, and she carried his heir beneath her heart. Their souls might be a bit tattered, yet they could be mended. Both would have to let go of their stubborn pride and speak clearly to one another. Josie would have to reveal her secrets and Maxxus would need to let his vulnerabilities show. He took the sample and left.
Maxxus was unsettled by Daer's speech. Had he allowed a misunderstanding to destroy his life? How many times had he started toward the spaceship only to let pride turn him around? He had to be right; that was all there was to it. If he admitted to making a mistake, he would lose all authority, would he not? Sitting there, it came to him with a hard slam to his head. He had made many mistakes and admitted them. What was different about this one? The difference was Josie. He wanted to be perfect in her eyes, and if that was not possible, then he did not want to be with her at all. Stubborn and prideful, he was the mistake that needed to be corrected. He needed one more day to find the right words, then he would make amends.
