Before people could ask questions, Seth continued, “You do need to be aware of the fact that if you choose to go home, your memory will be erased.”
“What?” I asked, heart pounding. I could forget all of it. Everything that had happened could be taken away. The blood, the burning bodies, the dead, the abuse, the… I couldn’t even finish that thought.
Time could be unwritten.
Seth said, “The Coalition of Planets doesn’t allow undeveloped species to retain their memories if they go home. Either you become citizens or you’re categorized as samples taken for science and your memories of being off Earth will be wiped.”
That ignited rounds of questions that Seth did his best to answer. For me, the words went in one ear and out the other. All I focused on was the fact the memories haunting me would be taken. Freedom. I would be free.
Seth lifted his hands and ordered people to let him finish.
I’d have to leave him. I wouldn’t remember seeing Seth again. That gave me pause. Yes, I had a family on Earth—my parents and my siblings, namely—but I’d been gone for years. They would think I was dead at this point, and if I was honest, we’d never been that close. But Seth… I’d regretted leaving Seth the first time, what about this time?
Teddy grabbed my arm, and I shuffled away, stomach lurching from the contact. He frowned at me, but I ignored the look and hugged myself.
The captain, Dontilvynsan, came closer while Teddy’s husband, Serlotminden, snagged Teddy’s hand. Teddy gave him a small smile.
My focus returned to Seth. Could I leave him, to be free of the memories of the past? My breath stuttered at the memory of someone screaming at me. The snap of my finger. The drip of sweat as a man panted above me. Bile burned my throat as I struggled to breathe.
“Vince?” Seth asked.
I couldn’t answer; the past was strangling me. Dontilvynsan appeared in my line of sight. He took a deep breath as his eyes met mine. I struggled to copy, so he repeated it. I managed to suck in one breath, then another and smile at Seth. My Seth.
“I’m good. I don’t suppose there is food somewhere on this rust bucket? I’m starving.”
“My ship does not have rust,” Dontilvynsan said in a bland voice.
“He’s joking, Don,” Seth said. He draped an arm over my shoulders, and I stiffened. My first instinct was to yank away, but I forced myself to remain calm, though my pulse pounded and sweat gathered on my temples.
This was Seth. He would never hurt me. Ever.
I slung an arm around his waist, pulling him close. I buried my face against his shoulder, breathing him in. He smelled the same. Citrus. I’d always associated him with that fragrance. “I missed you.”
He kissed my head. “I missed you too.”
We settled in a mess hall. A couple of other humans, Brad and Camden, had decided to eat with us, while the rest had retreated to their rooms. Don had tried to place us in separate rooms, but everyone, besides me, decided to double or triple up. They didn’t want to be separated, which I didn’t blame them for. Personally, I was looking forward to some space. Besides, when the nightmares came, I wouldn’t wake anyone.
Seth and, to my dismay, Kal sat down across from me. I glared at Kal, and he returned my cold look. His tail coiled around Seth’s wrist in a possessive gesture that I refused to get used to. I wanted to rip the prehensile appendage away. Seth wasn’t a possession, and I wouldn’t let him remain with another abuser. Never again. I wouldn’t watch my best friend lie about bruises or excuse his boyfriend’s temper.
I should’ve fought harder to get him away from Travis, and I wouldn’t abandon him a second time. Fate, the universe, or whatever had given me a second chance and I wasn’t going to squander it.
Oblivious to my silent stand off with Kal, Seth asked, “How did you get here?”
“I could ask you the same thing, but I’ve heard of the drakcol prince who abducted and mated a human. You. I guess.”
He grinned, blush staining his round cheeks. “Yeah. Kal came and got me.”
“Stole you.”
Kal crossed his arms.
Seth laughed. “Yeah, he abducted me and my cat.”
“You got a pet? You always wanted one, but…” I trailed off, stopping before I actually said Travis’s name.
But it was enough. Seth turned a pale green.
Kal pulled Seth close, hand buried in his hair, and whispered in a low voice, “I’m right here, Husband. You are safe.” He glared at me, but he continued to snuggle Seth.
