And Ill go over the damn data collectors. He planted his hands on his hips. Later. She doesnt know anyone on base, doesnt know where I am. I have to go to her.
Me . Hes talking about me. So much for her anger. It shorted like a fuse, leaving her with energy that had no outlet. Speeches and declarations died on her lips. She could only manage one word, the most important word she knew.
Kell.
He spun around, quick as a whipstrike, and looked up at her. For a moment, she and Kell just stared at each other, him standing below, her on the catwalk a story above.
More officers voices sounded behind him, but he paid them no attention. Instead, holding her gaze with his own, Kell sprinted toward the catwalk. Her breath snagged as he leapt up, beautiful motion, dark and dangerous. He caught the bottom edge of the catwalk with his hands, then, arm muscles tightening and flexing, pulled himself up enough to grab the bars of the railing. Sinuous and quick, he vaulted over the rail to stand in front of her.
Mara.
His voice sounded raw, as if hed been speaking nonstop for a long time. He stepped close, and she saw the strain of weariness in his face. He had been going solidly for over a day without a single moments respiteyet all he saw or cared about was her.
When he reached for her, she could not stop herself from going to him.
His arms surrounded her, holding her tightly against the warm, hard contours of his chest. She lost herself in his embrace, wrapping her arms around him as they pressed closely together. The hollowness inside her filled with his presence, his strength and soul.
We can resume the debriefing tomorrow, Commander, someone said below.
Doesnt look like theyll be available for a few solar days, another said wryly.
Or weeks.
Kell threaded his fingers with hers and stepped back. His gaze burned her. Without speaking, he led her away. Her heart pounded with every step as they moved quickly, purposefully through the base. She paid no attention to where they were going, seeing only him. Within moments, she found herself in a barracks corridor. And then she was inside his quarters.
His quarters were larger than hers, but just as impersonally utilitarian, scrupulously neat. No holoimages of friends or family. If she wanted to find indications of the inner man, she would not find them here. The absence of personal touches revealed only that he lived for his work. His quarters were not a haven, nor a place of retreat, only somewhere to sleep between missions. Home that wasnt home, not truly.
Immediately, he pulled her close. She felt the tough, hard strength of him, and the warmth too.
If anyone treated you poorly, tell me. Ill have them thrown into the brig. After I beat them senseless.
I cant fault 8th Wing for its hospitality. Not this time. Everyone acts like Im some sort of hero.
They arent mistaken.
Only doing what I was obliged to do.
Now youre mistaken. He brushed his fingertips over her face, and she fought to keep her eyes open. Dont forget, Mara. I know you now. You handed the controls of the Arcadia over to Celene to stay with me. Nothing obligated about that.
It had been exactly the right thing to do, an instinct shed had to obey, yet she felt herself blush.
She could not have made her feelings more plain, not even if she had written and recited a thousand-stanza epospoem .
Brash princess. A corner of his mouth turned up. He glanced at her uniform, and his smile turned puzzled. Pleased, but puzzled. They inducted you already?
This is borrowed glory.
A flicker of disappointment in his dark eyes. No. You make it shine.
Ah, there went another piece of her heart. I do flatter the uniform.
It doesnt have to be borrowed.
Will they have me, then?
There are a few tests you will have to take, but I have every confidence that youll not only pass, but set new records. You arent the average cadet.
She gave a wry laugh. How many cadets have exiled princess and former scavenger on their credentials?
He did not laugh. In fact, Mara had never seen him look so solemn, so focused. Former scavenger.
I changed my life once before. It amazed her that her voice did not quaver, yet she felt herself gathering strength. Its mine to change again. She drew in a breath. Im ready to fight for more than myself.
The fight against PRAXIS isnt easy, he cautioned.
Nothing worthwhile is easy. Ive seen what PRAXIS does to worlds, to people. It has to stop,
and I want to help stop it. Are you trying to convince me to say no?
In response, he kissed her. A demanding, assertive kiss that was also vivid with yearning. He cupped her head with his broad hands to claim better access to her mouth. Her body responded at once.
Kell kissed with every part of his being, as though nothing mattered more.
I thought I knew fear. Living like an animal on Sayén. It was fear that kept me alive, that made me win every fight. But that fear was nothing compared to what I felt when I thought about you leaving.
Would you have let me go?