I nodded against his chest, not trusting my voice.
We stayed like that for another long moment. Then, finally, he pulled away. He motioned for silence and for me to get dressed. It didn't take long. My current harem costume wasn't more than a few circles and some string.
He crossed to the far corner of the room where a ventilation grate sat low in the wall. He worked quickly, removing the screws with a small tool from his boot.
Movement in the darkness. Something small emerging from the vent.
"It's okay," Ahrick said quietly, seeing me tense. "He's a friend."
The creature stepped into the dim light—small, gray-brown fur, rat-like face with large dark eyes.
A Negita.
"Merrilee," Ahrick said, "this is Roone."
The Negita bowed formally. "Lady. I am honored."
"Roone is going to get you out of here," Ahrick said, turning back to me.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small comm unit. Battered. Old. Precious.
"Keep this hidden," he said, pressing it into my palm. "If I don't come for you in three days, use it to contact Nansar. He'll help you get off Palaydium."
Then he pulled out something else. A stone.
It was beautiful—smooth and oval, deep green with swirls of blue and gold running through it like captured starlight.
"This is a Welati stone," Ahrick said quietly. "Given to my friend Nansar by the Welati people. If anything happens—if you need help—take this stone and head north into the mountains. The Welati will find you. When they do, give them the stone. They will help."
My throat tightened until I couldn't swallow. "Ahrick—"
"Keep it safe." His voice was rough. "And when this is over, when Hewes is dead and we're free of this place, I'm going to complete the bond properly. With ceremony. With everything you deserve."
I couldn't speak. Could barely breathe.
So I kissed him instead.
Poured everything I felt into that kiss—all the fear and hope and desperate love that I couldn't put into words.
He kissed me back like he was memorizing me. Like he was trying to burn this moment into his memory so he could carry it with him into whatever came next.
When we finally pulled apart, we were both shaking.
"I love you," I whispered. The first time I'd said it out loud.
His eyes closed, and I saw his throat work. "I love you too. More than I thought I could love anyone."
"Time to go, lady," Roone said quietly from the corner.
I looked at the small Negita, then back at Ahrick.
This was it. The moment I had to let him go.
"Three days," I said, my voice breaking.
"Three days," he agreed.
I wanted to believe him. Wanted to trust that he'd survive whatever Hewes had planned. Wanted to believe that in seventy-two hours, we'd be together again.
