shuddered as visions of the loathsome Jabba fromStar Wars filled her mind.
She whirled around as the door to her room opened, Micah's name on her lips. But it wasn't Micah.
Pergith stared at the woman for a moment. She was undoubtedly quite attractive, but Zermicazyne had known beautiful women before. What was there about this earthling that made his best friend willing to sacrifice his career and his home just to be with her?
Lainey put her hands behind her back and clasped them tightly together. "Where's Micah?"
"Micah?" Pergith lifted one brow in amusement. "Is that what you call him?"
"Yes. Where is he? Is he all right?"
"He is well."
"Would you... can I see him?"
"I am afraid that is quite impossible. You will be transporting soon."
"Transporting?"
"We will transport you down to the planet. To Earth." Pergith folded his arms across his chest. "I made... Micah, did you call him?... a promise that I would not erase your memory of this time. In return, I will require your promise that you will tell no one of what has transpired here, or described what you have seen."
Erase her memory? Fear coiled in the depths of her soul. She remembered Micah telling her that after his people interviewed someone from earth, the entire incident was erased from their minds. "I promise."
"Nevertheless, I would advise you to forget this incident entirely. Get on with your life."
"Can't I please tell him good-bye?"
"No." Pergith stared at the woman, at the moisture welling in her eyes. He had never seen a woman weep. It was most disconcerting. "It is for your own good," he said gently. "And for his."
"Is it?"
"Yes. Zermicazyne has resigned himself to returning home. It is where he belongs. He has a duty to his people. If he sees you again, it will only make parting more difficult for him. And for you."
"But... but I..."
Pergith drew himself up to his full height, steeling himself against the sorrow in her eyes, the overwhelming sadness of her tears.
And then, sounding loudly in his mind, he heard Zermicazyne's voice.Pergith, in the name of our friendship, please let me see her one last time. Please, I'm begging you, let me tell her goodbye .
I gave you my answer before, my friend, Pergirth responded.It has not changed . "I am sorry," he said gruffly. He spoke to Lainey, but his apology was for Zermicazyne, as well. "Jerva will take you down as soon as it gets dark."
Lainey stared at the door after he was gone. That was it, she thought. She would never see Micah again.
She felt suddenly numb, the hurt too deep for tears. She had met a man she never should have met, fallen in love with him, and now it was over. Or was it?
Micah? She focused her thoughts and sent them to him.Micah, can you hear me ?
Lainey! Are you all right?
I'm fine. They're sending me back to Earth.
I know. I love you, Lainey.
And I love you. I'll never forget you. Never.
Perhaps it would be best if you did.
The heaviness in his voice, the note of despair, tore at her heart.Never ! she vowed.I'll love you until the day I die .
Lainey, Lainey, so many things I want to tell you...
I know. Promise you won't forget me.
She heard the soft sound of bittersweet laughter, and then his voice, low and soft.I will not forget you , cominza.
Micah... A sound at the door broke her concentration. Whirling around, she saw an alien standing in the doorway.
"It is time," he said.
She tried to concentrate, tried to reestablish her bond with Micah so she could hear his voice one last time, but the alien was urging her out the door, down a narrow companionway. Her heart felt like lead as she followed him to a small oval room.Micah, I love you ...
She stood where the Xanthian told her, felt a sudden sense of disorientation, of being hurled through space, and then, miraculously, she was standing on the hill behind the cabin at Chadds Creek.
A faint whirring sound drew her attention and she glanced up in time to see a slender silver craft hovering overhead, and then it was gone, and Micah with it.
The tears came then. Buckets of tears. Oceans of tears. Sitting down, Lainey crossed her arms on her bent knees and wept until she had no tears left.
Micah glared at Pergith and then slowly raised his shackled hands. "Are you going to make me wear these until we get home?"
Pergith shrugged. "Do you think it will be necessary?"