“Did he say anything about the Ivoyans healing your vision?”Was there concern in his voice?
“The Ivoyans helping me was always a gamble.If they can’t, that’s okay.”Of course, she’d be devastated, but while there was a chance, she wouldn’t worry about it.
The silence stretched.She raised her face as if she could read his expressions.“What’s wrong?”
His mouth across hers made her squeak.She threw out her hands to hold onto his biceps, needing him to stop her from toppling over.His ardor and skilled lips took over, seducing her and melting her insides.
He broke away, his breathing ragged.“I love kissing you, Tiny.”
She forced a smile while her heart lost its rhythm.“What, don’t like calling it face-latching?”
He laughed.“I love face-latching with you, Tiny.”
“How much longer before we reach Certorth?”She ran a fingertip along his smooth jawline.
“Three weeks,” he said though his tone had curiosity.
Then her life would change again.“Well, we have all that time to face-latch as much as you want.”
“Oh, I intend to every chance I get,” he said, drawing her closer.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Three Weeks Later
Approaching Certorth, Ivoy
Onboard the Aroagni.
NennkeptTinybusy,whether in bed, learning to dance, playing chess, or sitting through the audiobook, and she couldn’t recall a happier time.Despite the impending arrival and what she suspected would be a showdown, she cherished every moment with him.Within an hour, they’d land.After that, she could die, have her sight restored, or say goodbye to Nenn forever.
With fake smiles and laughter, she hid her worry.Not to mention that for some strange reason, she could see more.His outline had detail.The darkness of his skin against his bright red hair, for one thing.The exact shape and color of his eyes—no, that wasn’t clear.Not yet.
How this was possible was a mystery.The doctors had assured her that she wouldn’t heal over time.So praying for a miracle was stupid.She was the idiot for hoping.Soon, she’d find out if she’d taken a leap of faith off the wrong cliff.
“Are you ready?”Nenn asked, grabbing her hand where she rested it on the galley’s table.
She pulled the anbru closer, needing the chill from the condensation to ground her.“I don’t know.We’re hiding here?”
“You are.I must be in the Q.C.C.chambers as a member of the crew.”
She squeaked, squeezed his hand, then shuffled to the side.“I’ll be alone?”Hiding her horror was a struggle, so she buried her face in her glass, taking a long gulp.
“For a little while.”
She set the juice on the table and clasped her hands on her lap.Being on her own wasn’t new, but on an alien planet?
“You may stay, Giniiri aac Nenn Maed.”Aehort glided past.
Hope exploded like fireworks inside her chest, filling her with heat and relief.
“He is right, Nenn.It is better you guard Tiny,” Drafe said, his tone matter of fact.
Nenn threw his arm across her shoulders and tucked her against his body.“As you command.”
The silence that fell after the mass exodus threatened to crush her spirit.She patted Nenn’s knee, loving the muscle beneath her fingers even as their time together was ending.
“Whatever happens, Nenn, know that I’m so grateful to you.”She dipped her head, hoping the tears burning her eyes wouldn’t slip free.
