worry as he checked on his unconscious friend. Winking at Violette, he told her as he walked out the door, “I’m going to tell the others he’s awake. Holler if you need me, Vivacious Violette, and I’ll come running to your call.”
Violette chuckled. “That is one strange man.”
“You have no idea,” Dev answered. His voice was a little stronger than before. Relief filled her to see his eyes looking at her. She’d been so worried. He lifted his head. “What papers?”
“I told you that I gave Jo the deed to my ship.” Violette’s relief was short lived as she watched his head drop. “Dev, what’s wrong?”
“What papers?” His body jerked violently, and he began to convulse.
“Rick,” Violette screamed. She reached her hands into the medical booth and grabbed hold of Dev’s shoulders. His temperature was so hot it nearly burned her fingers. “Rick, something’s wrong!”
Rick and Jackson appeared in the doorway.
“Get him out of there,” Rick ordered.
“No, wait.” Jackson held his hand out to stop Rick from touching the console while at the same time grabbing Violette to pull her away. “He’ll be fine. Just, wait…”
Violette struggled to be free. “Something is wrong. He’s burning up.”
“He’s not human,” Jackson said. “Not like us. He’s only half. Give his body a moment to reset.”
Violette felt as if she couldn’t breathe. Days of anguish climaxed into this moment. She trembled, helpless to do anything to stop the forceful seizure unfolding in front of her.
“Dev,” Violette cried. She elbowed Jackson in the stomach, but the act had little effect. “Let me go, Jackson.”
Jackson waited a moment before he released her.
“Dev,” Violette rushed to the medical booth. When she touched him, he stopped shaking but didn’t open his eyes. She whispered to him, “Dev, listen to me. I love you. I should have said it before now. I’ve thought it so many times, but I should have said the words. You were right, I was wrong. What do you need me to say to help you? I’m breaking your curse. I’m earth, or fire, or whatever you need me to be. Just wake up. Please. Open your eyes and wake up. I can’t live without you.”
“You don’t believe in curses,” Dev said softly before opening his eyes.
“There you are.” Violette caressed his cheek. “Stay with me.”
Dev moved inside the booth. “It doesn’t look like I have much of a choice. You have me trapped.”
Violette slid her hand down his chest. “Your temperature feels like it’s returning to normal. How do you feel?” As she said it, she felt the heat from his skin intensify.
“Dev?” Jackson asked from behind her.
“Readings are leveling out,” Rick offered from the console.
“Is the ship secure?” Dev asked.
“Yes. Everyone is on board. We’re secure.” Jackson motioned at Rick. “We’ll let everyone know you’re awake.”
“Did you hear that? I was right. I predicted two for two, Dev and Evan,” Rick said as the men left the medical room. “She’s the one to break Dev’s curse. You all should be coming to me for predictions, not Evan.”
Violette continued to stroke Dev’s chest.
“I never thought I’d say this out loud, but I think Rick might be right.” Dev slid his hand over hers to stop it over his beating heart. “Without you I am cursed, so that must mean—”
“I love you,” Violette interrupted. “Did you hear that part? I love you, Devekin. I need to know you heard that. I’m not very good at expressing emotions, but I can become better at it. I love you. I love you. And I hope you love me.”
He smiled. “I was trying to tell you I love you, too.”
Pleasure filled her.
“There’s more.” She felt the need to rush and get everything out that she’d been thinking about for the last three days. “I want to marry you and live on this ship, if you can convince the others. I mean, I really don’t have anywhere else to go. I gave Jo Racing Banana. Josselyn and I are working on a friendship. I don’t know that we’re all the way there, but I’m trying, and I promise to stop threatening her. I also told her I would do whatever I could to make sure the truth is known about what happened on the Florencian moons. And I love you, Dev. I just love you.”
“Violette,” Dev tried to reach his hand out, but the booth stopped him. “Can you unlock this contraption now?”
Violette reached for the latch. The lock released, and Dev stepped out. His naked body radiated