When they finally stopped hiking almost three hours later, Maisie leaned against a tree and tried to ease the ache in her legs and back. The weeks of being held prisoner, the lack of proper nutrition and rest and her nonstop movement since escaping the camp were taking their toll. She sagged against the tree and wondered how much longer she could stay awake.
Lights appeared over the trees in the distance, and her heart started to beat a little faster. She swallowed hard and exhaled roughly. This was it. She was getting off this planet that had brought her nothing but pain and hardship. Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was walking into a much worse situation—a situation she might not survive.
Terror appeared from the shadows, startling her with his sudden presence. He placed his big hand on her shoulder, and she didn’t even try to fight the urge to lean into him. Seeking his strength and his comfort, she shifted her stance until she was resting against Terror instead of the tree. Her lips parted on a shaky breath when his thumb trailed the side of her neck, slowly caressing a soothing line. A moment later, she felt his lips press against temple. The shock of being kissed so unexpectedly and so chastely lasted longer than the kiss itself.
Just as quickly as he appeared, Terror left her side and strode across the clearing, leaving her bewildered and yearning for his touch. As the sleek ship dropped down and hovered only a few feet above the clearing, Clove trotted over and sat at her feet. Maisie knelt down to enjoy one last hug with Clove. The sweet dog nudged her face and neck, and she scratched between his ears and patted his sides. Her old childhood yearning for a pet reared to life, and it saddened her that this was probably the closest she would ever get to having a dog.
When she stood up, Fay engulfed her in a hug. She closed her eyes and lingered in Fay’s warm embrace. She had only known this woman for a few hours, but she felt a strong kinship toward her. It seemed Fay felt the same because she used the bright lights from the ship that were illuminating the clearing to communicate.
“I’m glad I stumbled across your tracks in the woods,” Fay said, her eyes shimmering as if she might cry. “I wish I could have done more to help you.” She glanced back at the ship and the armed soldiers filing out of it. “I don’t trust them, Maisie. Neither should you.”
“I don’t,” Maisie assured her, “but I’m out of options. I have to get off this planet.”
“And what if you can’t get off their ship?” Fay bit her lower lip and shook her head. “I don’t think they’re going to let you just walk away.”
“I don’t either,” Maisie admitted. Like Fay, she watched the scary looking men who had arrived with the ship. Terror and the general stood in the middle of the throng, and their compatriots appeared to be listening to every single word they said as if their lives depended on them. They probably did. It was clear that Terror was just as important as the general and equally as revered by their brothers-in-arms.
When all the men glanced in her direction, Maisie went cold. She avoided meeting Terror’s gaze, certain she would see her worst fears reflected in his face. Instead, she gave Fay her full attention. “Thank you. For everything,” she added, hugging her friend one last time. “I don’t know how I'll ever repay you.”
“By living,” Fay answered. “You do whatever it takes to get as far away from this system as possible. You go find a new place and make a new life for yourself. Fall in love. Get married. Get a dog or two or three.”
What Fay described was more than Maisie had ever considered possible in her wildest dreams. A man who loved her just as she was? A family? A happy life in a safe place? Impossible. But she didn’t want to tell Fay that. She smiled and nodded. “I’ll try.”
Maisie’s gaze flicked to Cotton who was walking to intercept Terror as he strode toward them. He had something in his hand—a book, she realized—and he slapped it against Terror’s chest. Terror took the book and looked down at the front of it. He and Cotton shared a look, and Terror nodded