Page 133 of Bride of the Enemy Alien

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I did not know whether you wanted me to touch you.”

Her expression changes. Not softer. Something I cannot name.

“Good.”

I look at her.

“Do you know why I’m not angry about that?”

“Because I did not decide for you.”

“Exactly.” She keeps walking for several steps before she speaks again. “You left the City alone because you decided making yourself bait was the safest choice.”

I say nothing.

“You left me a mark telling me not to follow because you decided I should stay behind.”

“And when they caught you, you let them take you alive because you decided getting answers was worth whatever they might do to you.”

I say nothing because she is right.

“Yes.”

“You keep making choices for both of us and calling it protection.”

There is no defense that does not prove her point.

“I know.”

“No.” She looks at me. “You’re starting to know.”

I accept the correction.

She looks at my damaged wing, the blood on my chest, the burned line beneath my throat. Then she looks back at my face.

“I’m still angry.”

“You should be.”

“That answer is annoying.”

“I can give you a worse one.”

“Don’t.” I look away before she can catch my amusement. She narrows her eyes. “And don’t do that thing where you back away because you think being respectful means disappearing.”

“I am trying to learn the difference.”

“Good. Ask.”

I look at her bandaged arm.

“May I help you walk?”

She considers me with exaggerated seriousness.