Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
This time, I’m silent. I stop Henry to feed him a snack and he soon grows sleepy and restless. We’ve been walking for I don’t even know how long, so I strap him onto my back using a long, thin piece of fabric I’d gotten from the bunker.
“It’s not because of how you look,” I say finally. “Henry’s father, Evan, was a handsome man. Too handsome, maybe. He had a pretty face and prettier words. He told me he’d free us when we got to the prison. That he loved me and would keep me safe.” Galen’s attention is rapt on my face. “I believed every word.” I start walking again so I can talk without having to see his reaction. “It turns out promises mean nothing. Looks mean nothing. The only thing that matters is actions.”
“What did he do to you?” Galen asks, his voice solemn.
“When I told him I was pregnant, he didn’t care. He’d had his fun with me and he put me back in cryo. Everything he’d ever said to me was a lie. I woke up in a cell at the prison six months pregnant. I gave birth there all alone. Evan went back to Earth II without ever seeing me or Henry again. We spent the next three years in that awful prison as more shipments of women prisoners showed up over time. Evan never returned to save us or any of the women as he promised. I didn’t matter to him. We didn’t matter to him. I didn’t matter to my parents who sold me to pay their debts and for extra rations of food. Everyone wants something, Galen. It’s only a matter of time until I figure out what you want from me, too.”
“I am sorry to hear this, zelfyre,” Galen says.
Rehashing the memories has made me edgy. I shouldn’t have said anything. “Save it.”
“I mean it. I’m sorry you have been treated so terribly. I understand now why you would run. Good things scare you.” He seems so confident in his words, so certain.
When the meaning behind them sinks in, it surprises me so much, I stop and stare at him. “What?”
He doesn’t seem to notice my astonishment. “The women at the prison. When they revolted and took it over, you didn’t trust you and Henry would be safe there. When the other morts came to rescue Lyric and the others with a plan to cure The Rades, you didn’t trust they would or could. And now, when I tell you I will save you and your son, you don’t trust me. But I will change this.” He nods his head as though to punctuate the statement.
He must be crazy. Maybe he got hit on the head during that attack. “I think you may have misunderstood me.”
Galen starts walking again, his stride sure and confident now. “I don’t misunderstand. I understand greatly. You need me to prove I will make a good mate for you. That I will be strong and trustworthy. I will prove myself worthy to be your mate, Stella. I won’t make you any promises. I will show you with every breath in my body that I mean to protect you and Henry.”
“That’s not what I want.” I manage to run double time even with Henry’s weight bouncing on my back to catch up with Galen. “I don’t want a mate. I don’t need one.”
He doesn’t hear a word I say. “That is where you’re wrong, my brilliant zelfyre. You need me more than you realize. But don’t worry. I will prove myself to you. I will always protect you and our mort.”
Maybe the sabrevipes have venomous fangs and Galen is going nuts. All the more reason to get Henry the herbs or plants he needs and get away from him. Because this is crazy talk. The last thing I need is an alien mate.
“Whatever you say,” I tell Galen, deciding not to argue.
“Not whatever I say,” he replies and meets my eyes. The certainty behind them strikes a chord inside me, but I stifle it. Then he continues and I wish I could stop listening, “There won’t be any promises from me. Only actions. I will give you all the action you need.”
I rub the throb beginning behind my eyes. “I don’t need any alien action, Galen.”
“Sure you don’t,” is all he says.
I throw my hands up. “I’m not going to argue with you. Let’s just get to the caverns.”
He sighs like I’ve finally gotten with the program. “Yes, my mate. Arguing will solve nothing. The caverns are close. We will heal Henry and then I will take you back to the safety of the Faction. I can’t wait to introduce them to my new mate. Breccan will be pleased, I think. You’re even more fierce and resilient than Madam Commander.”