Chapter Fifteen

 

They lay spent together as Lake grappled with her new onslaught of emotions. Hudson’s face nestled in the crook of her neck as his fingers sought to hold hers. He shifted to the side, but still kept his leg thrown across hers. “Let me see.”

Lake refused to turn and look at him. Instead, she buried her face in the bed as she felt his hands move to undo the row of hooks down her back.

The garment parted, and Lake could tell as soon as Hudson saw the Marking. His breath hitched, hand fell away, and so did any hope that Lake harbored. She knew what he saw—the low dip in her back where Hudson's name had been slashed through with an ugly, raised scar. Then above, the jagged brand that was spelled out in capital letters.

Lake squeezed her eyes shut. If she dared cry over this, after everything she’d been through, she’d never forgive herself. Why did she care what Hudson thought of her? His look of disgust, the one sure to be on his face, didn’t matter. But her body betrayed her with a tremble as her heart sunk heavy in her gut.

She flinched as his fingers traveled the path down her spine. There was no pain, the Marking had healed years ago, but Lake could still feel the white-hot burn, smell the scorched flesh that resulted in the raised letter that had branded her as another’s.

Like a blind man reading brail, Hudson’s fingertips felt each scar. “My goddess, what did he do to you?”

“Doesn’t matter,” she lied. But it was a lie she had to believe. Had to know that what Syon had done was no big deal, that it had been nothing in order for her to wake up and live her life.

It had been years since she'd seen the Mark. Hadn't needed the reminder. But his audible gasps told her all she needed to know. And she couldn’t bear Hudson’s disgust. Not now. Not ever. She made to pull herself away, but strong hands stilled her hips.

“Let me go,” she hissed. But he didn't. Instead, she felt a soft, moist pressure on her skin.

In total shock, she turned to watch as Hudson's head lowered to the small of her back and pressed his lips to her skin. His kiss was slow and delicate as if, by touch alone, he could heal scarred tissue and bitter thoughts.

First the S.

“Stop it.”

But he took no note, just held her tighter. Then the Y, spending time on its jagged tail.

“No! Damn you.”

And all around the O, his tongue lingering in the center like he could encourage the healthy skin to expand and cover.

Then finally down and up the N in one long kiss. “I will do this every day. Every day until there's no more pain.”

Lake bit the inside of her cheek. She would not cry. “It doesn't hurt anymore.”

“Some scars hurt long after they're healed.”

“Don't,” her voice broke. “Don't be nice to me.” She couldn’t hold on to her righteous anger if he was nice to her.

“We can change this, you know,” he spoke softly, his breath evaporating the wetness of his kisses. “We can make his name stand for something else. This won't define you. I won't let it.”

His voice was a quiet fierceness in the fading night. A steel promise that, if she was foolish enough, she would believe all over again.

He moved beside her. “Lake, look at me.”

But she kept her eyes closed, face averted, and refused to respond like an open sunflower to the sun. She needed to hold on to her anger. Hold on and remember, because believing hurt. Believing would crush her, and she wouldn't get back up if she believed again and he left. She had a son to live for. She didn’t have the luxury of being weak.

But Hudson wouldn't take no for an answer. Never had. He always wanted what she so deeply guarded. Her trust.

He pulled on her shoulder and rolled her toward him. “Open your eyes. Look at me, Lake.”

Then there was no point, she was lost. Like the worshipping flower that followed the sun across the sky, she was destined to follow this man.

She opened her eyes. The moon had fled and the darkest part of the night along with it. The morning would be fast coming through her windows, showing her a new day. Lake took the moment to study the man next to her. Even this close he was beautiful. His autumn eyes had warmed to the richness of honey, and the fine, white lines at the corners took nothing away from the intensity in his gaze. His long brown hair had been sun-bleached lighter, and she liked how it looked all tumbled and messed from her hands.

“I'm so sorry,” he said. “I'm so sorry. I should've trusted what my heart was telling me. I should've trusted what was tattooed on my chest. I should've trusted us.” His chest rose and fell with a heavy sigh. “I'm sorry I broke my promise. The one I made to you before the Elders busted down our bedroom door.”

She shook her head. She wanted to reach out and touch his face, but for some reason, even after all they’d shared, she wasn't ready for that type of intimacy yet. “You didn't break it. You followed me. It just took longer than either of us thought.”

But Hudson never suffered from hesitation like she did. He was never afraid to open his heart. He reached out and cupped her face. “Forgive me, my wife.”

And all she wanted was to erase the last two years. Erase everything that had come before so they could start again. So she smiled into his palm and finally let the tears fall from her eyes. “Always, my husband.”

 

 

***

 

Hudson could've lain there and gazed at his wife for days if he had his way. Gazed at hair that reminded him of snow or wispy clouds that decorated the sky. At eyes that were made up of the clearest blue. He understood now, when he’d made the trip with Vonn to the ocean, why the beach had agitated him instead of comforted. Why every time he’d looked out over the purest of any water he'd ever seen, it had caused a longing in him that rivaled his body’s need to breathe. Hudson had finally cut their trip short so he could get back to the calm of the dying desert.

He understood now, his heart had never forgotten her. In his heart, she’d always been his. Funny how the whole time his memory had failed, his heart had railed against him. Now that his memory was back, in the enemy’s house, naked with a woman who was claimed by another—a sure way to get his head removed from his body—his heart had never been calmer.

My wife.

And she was, but he could never keep her safe if they were in Syon’s house.

He got out of bed and reached for his clothes. “Get dressed. If we hurry, we can still make it back to Vonn before full morning. We’ll need every advantage if we have any chance of making it.”

His wife's face disappeared behind a wall of her hair as she struggled with fastening her corset. He walked behind her, pushed her hair over her shoulder with a kiss, and laced up the shirt. “I've arranged a passage through the portal. We can't stay here on Earth. There’s no place we can hide that Syon won't be able to find us.”

“But aren’t the soldiers on Dark Planet still loyal to The Way?”

Hudson finished putting on his boots and peered out the window. “Most are, but the Rebellion is making a comeback on Dark Planet, and I believe we can count on them to protect us. Especially if you whip up your special brew of miracle drug.”

He threw her a smile and was glad to see she was already dressed and ready to go. “I'll go first. There are a few foot holds on the side were you can jimmy down, but if you fall, I'll be there to catch—”

“I'm not going.”

Hudson actually looked around thinking there was someone else in the room who’d spoken since he couldn't believe Lake would say such a thing.

“What?” He must've misheard.

“I can't go. I—”

He didn't let her finish. “Why are you hesitating? You can’t mean to stay here? Choose him?”

“No.” She reached for him. “You know me better than that. After everything I've been through, how could you think I'd choose this man over any life I could have with you? But I won't leave my son. Not even for you.”

“You mean his son.” He hated that it made a difference, but it did.

“I mean our son. Hudson, don't you remember?”

It was as if someone had looped a rope around his neck and pulled tight. He couldn't get any air past his throat. His son?

He’d thought he had regained all his memory, but how could he have forgotten something so important? He searched the black spaces of his mind, but there were no images of a little boy. “I don't...I can't...”

Lake smiled, and shook her head. “You wouldn't have. I had gotten pregnant before the siege. There's no doubt he’s your son. You both have the exact same eyes.”

Hudson struggled trying to wrap his mind around the details. “So then he is...”

“Almost two.”

Hudson didn’t hesitate. It would be harder. So much harder, but what else could he do? Leave his son? Leave Lake again? He'd almost lost her once. He'd never give her up again. “Go and get him. We can still make it.”

“What?” Lake shook her head. “You're crazy. Even two adults and a very capable ten-year-old would have a slim chance of making it through the city, across the desert, and then on the other side to Dark Planet.”

“I know.”

“I don't even know if a baby has ever made it through the portal alive. No one has ever tried.”

“I know.”

“I can't risk his life on those kinds of odds. I just can't.”

“You have to.”

“No, I don't. I can't. You don't understand. Our boy is special. He's critical somehow to the Prophesy. He's important. More important than either of us.”

“The Prophesy is an old wives’ tale, a hopeful bedtime story women tell their children to make them feel better. The only one who’ll save us is ourselves.”

“You're wrong.” She shook her head.

“But what if I'm right?”

“Yes, but what if I'm right?” she pleaded. “It could mean hundreds of lives, if not thousands. I can't risk it.”

The rope around his neck was already tight, and now someone had thrown him in a muddy river with both hands and feet tied behind his back. “I won't leave you, Lake.”

“Well, you can't stay here. Syon could be home at any time.”

“Go get the boy.”

“Hudson—”

He grabbed both her arms and shook her. “Listen to me. Listen very hard. If you’re right, if this boy is special, then his end won't be tonight. If his life is important, and it's already destined then he won't die tonight. And if he really is part of the Prophesy then what better place would there be than with people who can help him fulfill his role—the Rebels. So if you think you’re right, prove it, prove your faith. Get the boy, and let's go because either way, we’re leaving.”

Lake nodded and turned to leave. Within a few minutes, she was back with a good-sized bundle on her back, secured with a blanket. Hudson could see the side of a chubby face nestled into Lake's neck, a shock of curly dark hair sticking straight up.

He looked down at the bundle. “Will he cry?”

“Where's your faith?”

He gave her a look, but really what choice did they have?

“Wait, one more second.” She rushed around throwing items into a light weight sack.

He groaned. He swore his wife would make him late to his own funeral.

She threw the bag to him. “You first, then I’ll follow.”

In the end, he hadn’t had to worry. They climbed down with no problems, and the boy seemed safe and content to stay strapped to Lake's back even as both they ran into the night.

Dawn was just making its appearance as they entered Portal City. Hudson did his damnedest to make sure they kept to the shadows. The last thing they needed was anyone remembering two adults and a baby running through the city. Any baby, even a boy baby, was rare enough for people to take notice.

Hudson led Lake to a building where he rented a small room shared with Vonn. The place was dark, leaked when it rained, and had a huge rat problem, but at least it was a roof over their heads and a place to sleep. A sure far cry from Black Creek Manor.

Vonn was just where Hudson had left him—asleep and totally dead to the world. Only a child, young and carefree, could sleep that sound.

“Vonn.” He reached out and shook his shoulder. In a flash, a silver blade greeted him and was leveled at his throat. “It's all right. It's Hudson.”

Vonn's sleepy stare cleared, and a wobbly smile appeared. “Sorry, didn't hear you come in.”

Hudson smiled and couldn't help the sudden swell of pride in his chest. Vonn had listened to what Hudson had taught him. Hudson could do the same for his son. “That's quite all right. Quite all right. Look, I have a surprise for you.”

Hudson stepped out of the way and let Vonn see his sister. A moment of confusion quickly fell by the wayside as pure joy claimed his features. “Lakie!” he said, jumping into her arms.

Lake enfolded him in her warm embrace and buried her face in his hair. Hudson let the two have their moment while he quickly went around and gathered whatever weapons and food they could carry.

He threw an extra shirt at Vonn. “Put that on. It's chilly in the desert at night and we’re making a run for the Portal. We're leaving in one minute.”

Vonn nodded, and it spoke true to his training that he was dressed in all black and boots on with time to spare.

The ragtag group made their way through the dirty streets as the grey sky lightened to blue. Hudson stopped at the edge of the city and gazed around at the long, five-mile stretch of desert land ahead of them. If they made it to the Portal, and the guards wouldn't let them cross, there’d be no way back. With Syon at their backs and guards to their front, they’d be caught in no-man’s land for sure. Of course, they could always be shot on sight since a few of the less than reputable Portal guards traded with the Rebels and had more access to bullets. Worse still, was being taken captive, and he knew for sure that a bullet to the head was preferable to an Elder prison.

But they wouldn't know until they tried. It was forward or forward.

In the distance, Hudson could make out small, black dots that moved across the white sand. Some he knew were wagons, but most were just merchants with heavy loads on their backs seeking their fortune in trading with the soldiers of Dark Planet.

Trading was good business for a man who could afford the hefty price of the Stamp of Passage and didn’t mind the discomfort of traveling through the wormhole in space. It was simple, Dark Planet had the weaponry, and Earth had the raw materials. One planet, it seemed, couldn’t survive without the other.

Before Hudson had gone after Lake, he had liquidated all his assets in order to procure three Stamps of Passage. Now, with a baby along, and Hudson being much later than he’d originally thought, matters were a bit more complicated. The soldiers guarding the Portal were said to be ambiguous in their loyalties, which suited Hudson just fine. It was common knowledge that a hefty bribe and an owed favor could get just about anyone across. Hudson looked over at his new family and hoped the saying held true.

But they had to get to the portal before they could see if they’d be allowed to cross.

Their best bet was to catch up with the merchants who were stopped at the checkpoint. Try to blend in with the crowd as much as a man, wife, and two children could blend. Hudson looked over at his family. Lake’s wide eyes were strained with worry. Vonn was pale, and his bottom lip had a slight tremble to it that if Vonn had been aware, he'd be mortified.

The only one who didn’t look terrified was his son, who had a pinched scowl on his face and a thumb stuck in his mouth.

“Why are we stopping?” Lake’s face was flushed from their earlier run, teeth gnawing on her lower lip with worry.

Why? Because fear gripped Hudson. He was responsible for three other lives besides his own, and he wasn't sure if making a run for the Portal was the best choice.

Too late now.

“Give me the boy.” He held out his hands.

“Why?” Hesitation crossed her features, but Hudson didn't take it personally. Being suspicious was just part of Lake's nature.

“This is where we start running, and it will be easier for me to carry our son than you.”

He saw Lake's deep inhale of breath. “This is the first time you’ve called him our son.”

“I know.”

Lake untied the blanket and quickly arranged the boy on Hudson's back.

“His name is Rider. Agon Rider. I thought you should know. Just in case.”

Fear slammed into Hudson. He was so close to having it all. Yet, so close to losing everything. He’d thought he’d lost everything when his home and men burned to the ground. But Lake, Vonn, and his son were everything. Nothing else mattered.

In a fierceness born of desperation and the firsthand knowledge of what life was without his everything, Hudson reached out for Lake and kissed her.

With both hands he captured her face, angled her mouth so he could kiss her for real. Lake grabbed on to his shirt and pulled him closer. She opened her mouth wide and poured every heartache, sorrow, and desperation into this one moment. Both of them knowing it could very well be their last.

Hudson broke away, but didn't release her. He needed her to hear him. “I love you. Since the first day I met you, there’s been nothing else, but you.”

Lake shook her head. “No, we are not going to say our goodbyes now. Tell me you love me when we get to the other side. And if you're good.” She smiled. “You might even get a declaration back.”

He nodded. If that wasn’t motivation, he didn’t know what was. “Let's go.”

And they started running across the harsh landscape with nothing more than the weight on their backs and the hope in their hearts.