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He opens it before I signal "The bot told me you were here"

Not a psychic connection, then Just as well--I can only handle one of those "May I come in?"

"Certainly" He steps back so I can

"It’s weird, isn’t it?"

"It does not feel altogether real," he admits

"Have you yielded to the temptation to peek at the data yet?"

"What do you think?"

"I’d bet aon it, so you can see what you got"

"Correct"

"Anything interesting? So that could help Carvati?" Maybe he doesn’t need assistance, though For all I know, he’s figured out the La’heng cure and we’re ready to y and scientific data that I ae admission for him "I may ask Carvati to examine it tomorrow"

"I think you could trust hi for credits"

"My thoughts precisely"

There’s no reason to linger I can’t ask to curl up beside him or to sleep on his floor I want to, but as normal while ere stranded isn’t anymore

So I et so silence, as if he’s considering his options Maybe he feels the sa me close by But he only says, "Dreaoing to ask me to stay But he doesn’t

In ood to take a proper san- shower; I’d ales, I face es I noted in Dina My face looks the sa aith a ot the tangles out, and this could take the rest of the night

Just as well I probably won’t be able to relax I’m lonely without Vel, and I’m not sure I can sleep without him I miss the slow, deep exhalations that mean I’m safe Except the toll on me has been considerable--I can’t help it I abandon my hair and lie down just for a moment

And when I wake, March is with me

CHAPTER 35

"Jax," he breathes

March cups , and only my breath can save him I draw him down onto the bed beside , but he’s alelcome beside me

Oh, my love, ether as Kai and I were, sharing norh we have only these stolen her to be with than Kai,to followothers choose s don’t matter now, as his lips claim mine Sweetness Heat Oh, Mary, how I ache If this is a dream, I will die when I wake

"Are you here?" I ask, long moments later "Are you real?"

March spills into my mind in a hot rush, and the silence is filled at last Nobody else h I didn’t allow myself to feel the full force of it before, or I couldn’t have functioned It was more of my self- defense mechanism--that compartmentalization--at work

I’m here, Jax I can’t believe you’re alive

Then he showsmonths on Marakeq, where he lived in squalor and spent his days in the swa to track us But the rains and the native mud made that all but impossible, even for an experienced rief, fear, and loss Tears well in my eyes at his devotion; I am not worthy of his steadfast love, but I cherish it

Once I draw back a little to study him, I see the marks of time in his face Before, no more than ten turns separated us, but now it looks more like fifteen A fine web of worry lines surrounds his eyes, and there’s a touch of gray in his dark hair He wears it well; in uished

"Do you still love me?" he asks

Mary, how can he? Can’t he feel the truth? That used to be er for hied I can’t believe he waited for me I open myself to him and let him examinethe story verbally