and somehow I was expected to go on living. And when you strode across the hub, I knew how much I needed you, needed to be with you.”
The words that had been pressing against my chest, ready to burst, finally came out. “I love you, and I’m not going anywhere without you.”
That utterly charming smile transformed his face again, just as it had when I’d first seen him in the fabrication lab.
“I love you, too, my mate.” Picking up my hand, he pressed a kiss to my palm, and my core quivered. Stupid leg.
“What do you want to do,” he asked. “We have the whole galaxy to explore.”
“First, I want to get out of this room,” I decided, but at his scowl, I clarified. “Your friend Nadira said I couldn’t put any weight on it. But I didn’t think you’d mind carrying me?”
“There are a few things I like better,” he admitted. “But those will have to wait.”
Once I was securely in his arms, I snuggled into his chest. “Alright,” I said, “take me somewhere new.”
“I’ll take you anywhere you want to go,” and he strode off, only to stop by the door of the adjoining suite.
“Who’s in here?” I asked.
“Everybody,” he said. “Let me know if he gets too much.”
The door slid open and I gasped. Somehow, while I’d been sedated some major construction had been going on. The suite had been expanded, furniture had been removed, and now a row of consoles lined the wall.
A dark-haired man, possibly even larger than Hakon, crossed the room to greet us. “You’re looking better than the last time I saw you.”
Nadira bustled up and elbowed him in the side. “That’s not polite, babe. Most people don’t like to be reminded of when they’ve been shot.”
She rolled her eyes at him and leaned over to hug my shoulders lightly. “You’ll get used to it, I hope. Their social skills are a little rough at times.”
“Not all of us!” came a shout from the far corner where another of the giants was talking with Jenke.
“Torik, yours are worse than anyone’s,” Hakon called back. “You’ve been living in a cave for two years.” He glanced down at me. “This is alright? Now that you’re awake, I wanted you to meet everyone.”
I nodded, torn between panic and overwhelming curiosity. “What are you guys doing here?” I said as Hakon, still holding me, carefully settled into one of the overstuffed chairs.
Ronan went back to one of the consoles, where it looked like he was arguing with a small silver cube, but Nadira perched on the arm of another one of the chairs.
“Thalcorr is in the middle of negotiations with Mr. Alcyon and your brother,” she explained. “After everything that’s happened, Ronan decided it would be safer if we stuck around for a bit before heading for home.” Her warm smile faltered as her eyes flickered between my face and Hakon’s. “Unless I’m assuming too much.”
I leaned back against Hakon’s chest as his arms tightened around me. “I don’t think so,” I said. “But we might need to make a little detour.”
I tilted my head up, pleased to see Hakon’s look of surprise. “You did say you’d take me anywhere.”
“And I meant it.” He brushed my lips with his. “Going to let me know where?”
Gazing into his eyes, the noise and hustle of the room faded away, and we were alone, together.
“Maybe we could have a little time somewhere that wasn’t trying to kill us,” I murmured. “See how that feels.”
“Sure you don’t want to go test out that mushroom boat?” he teased. “Maybe go visit Bobo and his mom?”
“Don’t tempt me,” I answered, then found a better answer in the taste of his lips.
Finally, breathless, we broke apart.
“Mate,” I said, finally at peace with the universe after too many years. “Let’s go home.”
“And where is that?” His hand cupped my cheek, and I smiled, basking in his warmth.
“Wherever you are,” I answered. “That’s home enough for me.”
“For both of us,” he insisted, and in his kiss, I felt the truth of it.
Forever.
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