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It made me wonder what painful memories lay in store for me in the immediate future. As he requested, I focused on something different. The signal ending the meal stalled me, but the moment we retreated to our corner of the yard, I asked the question burning for an answer.
Why do you avoid touching me?
He evaded meeting my eyes and leaned back against the wall to stare up at the radiation-washed sky. A white dwarf filled the sky with intense light such that looking at half the horizon would fry your vision. He gazed at the only safe patch.
Do I need to repeat myself?
No.
A group of middle-aged women shuffled past. Surreptitious glances in our direction condemned me and admired him. I was probably the most hated being in the prison by now. Once they straggled past, he finally looked at me.
We are a mated pair. The connection is too intense for both of us to explore right now. He released a shuddering breath. Trust me, Myah, it is better this way. A wry smirk pulled at his mouth.
A memory flickered to the surface. My cheeks warmed and I dropped my gaze to the worn stones paving the yard. Pregnant silence lay heavy with half-recalled memories and the recent spark awaiting rebirth.
On to a more immediate topic: tonight is the night.
A chill spider-walked between my shoulder blades and I shivered. What should I do?
When I come for you, obey my directions without question.
My mouth flexed downwards. Why?
A warm rumble in his chest startled me into looking up at his face. He smiled, a blinding flash of white, even teeth against his rich, brown skin.
I think you just answered your own question. Timing is crucial and we cannot risk missing a single step in our plan. And... Acute pain darkened his eyes moments before he lowered his head. Sucking in a deep breath, he let it out slowly.
Then engaging my gaze again, he implored me. You must promise, Myah. No questions. Blind obedience no matter what I request.
The intensity of his stare shook me. He meant every word.
It is the only way, my love. You must promise me this or...or... He swallowed. Or I can’t be certain of our success in getting you out. I recognize I am asking much of a relationship only days old from your perspective, but you have to understand...
He stumbled to a halt, at a loss for words or struggling to not say the wrong ones. I resisted the urge to touch him and reassure him I understood. I didn’t like it, but I did understand. There were still things I wasn’t ready to hear.
Can you promise?
The klaxon summoning us to the torture chambers blared distantly. He didn’t move, eyes begging me for a promise my gut said was dangerous.
It wasn’t a matter of trust. I would hand him my life, knowing he would handle it with the utmost care. A persistent memory flitted to the surface of my mind. Evading my efforts, the impression fluttered past my mental grasp. Still, using the sketchy set of memories at hand, I understood what was important. He cared for me, no, loved me enough to come this far to rescue me. The puncture bruises along his muscular arms and the heavy circles under his eyes were evidence of what this risk had cost him. The least I could do was trust him to complete his mission: my freedom.
“We have to leave.” Promise, please. He turned away and started toward the doors.
I promise.
It might have been my imagination, but I think his shoulders relaxed slightly.
I will hold you to that, he warned.
A wide bounder, a crowd containment escort bot, met him at the door. The doors closed behind them. I ran to catch up, hoping to glimpse him one more time. The steel panel slid open again. My own escort greeted me with dead eyes and a screeching order. “Precede me to appointment.”
I obeyed, but not without a final glance around.