“What I was about to say…” He glares at Bri and then turns toward me. “I already knew all of this. I’ve known about your past since before we met on our first day in the military. I’ve always known, and it’s never bothered me. And even if I hadn’t, you don’t owe me any explanation or apology.”
He looks back and forth between me and Bri and chuckles. “I think you two have some things to work out. I’ll see you tomorrow. Glad you’re home, brother.” He slaps a hand on my chest and turns to leave. “The signing ceremony is at noon. You should be up and around by then.”
He reminds me that I’m expected to re-enlist tomorrow, a plan I’ve been adamant about. A plan that has been falling apart in my head slowly over time.
The first inkling of a different life took shape when Bri told me about her life. How she grew up and all the sacrifices her family has made for her. Everything they are still doing for her. I realized I might be in a position to help in some small way.
Now that we’re alone, I push the blankets back and stand up. The room tilts on its side. I’m still a little woozy from being in bed for who knows how long.
Bri steadies me with her hands on both arms. Holding me up. Anchoring me.
“Did you mean all of that?” I ask, hoping it’s the truth about how she feels about me.
“Of course. Every word, and more.”
“You’ve seen the worst parts of me, and you still think all of that?”
“I do. Because it’s all true.”
She looks up at me, and the redness has faded from her face. Now her eyes shine like the sky and I can’t look away. There is still so much more to be said, but I reach down and touch her soft face. It’s been washed, no trace of sand or dirt or sweat.
“Should we discuss the whole battleform mate thing?” she asks, her eyes waiting to see my reaction.
“Yes, but let me have this first.”
My lips are on hers, and everything feels right. All my concerns about our future melt away. Bri erases all doubt when she pulls me to her and deepens the kiss. She is all hope and brightness. I’ve finally come home.
SIXTY
Bri
“Finally pulled yourself away from Tai, huh?” Elowen looks over at me with a twinkle in her eye. I wish I could argue against the knowing look she is giving me right now. She saw it first, something there. I denied it at every turn, but there is no denying it now.
“The dude lost his arm for me. It’s the least I could do.” I drop down onto her comfortable overstuffed sofa and look out over Bihar. Since I miraculously got us back, I’ve been hovering over Tai in the medbay at the military base.
“Does it count if it was a bionic arm?” she asks, knowing full well it counts, she’s feeling sassy.
Of course she is. I teased her and pushed and prodded about Aro, and now it’s payback time.
“We both know you’d do the same for Aro.”
Elowen stops short, her hands full with a tray of sparkling drinks and colorful snacks. Her wide eyes blink at me, and a smile spreads across her face.
“Did you just say what I think you said?” she asks with a disbelieving laugh.
I take a deep breath and reach for my glass. I’m going to need a lot of this to get through what we went through on Sabaak.
“You might as well sit down.”
She plops down next to me and turns, giving me her full attention. The story tumbles out of my mouth, starting with when he showed up on the station to “bring me home.” Then there was the argument and the evacuation. The crash-landing on Sabaak and wandering through the desert. She laughs hysterically when I tell her about the brethren and the creepiest cult in the universe. When I express how much I loved Daisy, she declares that she wants a h’axom of her own.
Then I talk through the events that led us home. The little details and shifts between Tai and I pour out. How we both made mistakes and missteps with each other, but somehow it brought us closer. And finally, how he shifted into his battleform when he tried to save me from the Yuhlari.
“You don’t seem surprised by any of this,” I tell her once I’ve finally gotten it all out.
“You wanted your big adventure, and you finally got it. I’m just glad it brought you back here. I can’t imagine a life here on j’Tilak without you.” Her eyes are a little misty when she pulls me into a crushing hug.
“Well, about that,” I say reluctantly.
