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I rub my face “Veck, Kailani That was my plan, yes Before I knew you And then I realized how traumatized you were How much you hated needles and doctors, and I held back my purpose I didn’t want you to be afraid But I should have told you everything And I’ sorry about the way they took you I never meant for that to happen I want to rip all their heads off their vecking necks”

She comes over to sit beside me Soiven, but ry as she was before

“They took o on the uess I i Me the hero—you the heroine Instead ere both dragged in like prisoners”

She studies me “So, what happens now?”

I liftI won’t let theo steal another airship and fly you soive Zandia a chance Not ain if you don’t want to But I didn’t lie when I said Zandia was a safe place for humans You could make friends here Make a life”

She blinks at olden skin flushes a bit “You called me your mate—back in the med bay”

My horns thicken and lean in her direction I try again to s “I want you as my mate, yes If you’d have me”

She doesn’t answer

“But ranted the privilege” I pick up one of the tiny crystals on the edge and roll it around between ers

“Especially if I don’t help the doctors, right?”

“I’m not certain,” I admit

“Did you just get inme away from there?”

I shrug “Possibly I don’t care You were frightened and alone, and I wasn’t going to sit around obeying orders when you were suffering”

“You’re an idiot,” she says, cli to her feet

A stone sinks in ree