by Avery Rae
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You hate us, don't you? I imagine it's not easy."
Where was this coming from all of a sudden? I'd already told him that I trusted him. Why would that change now? I wanted to crack his head open and read what was on the inside, because the things he was saying had stopped making sense miles ago. It was like he wanted me to hate him or something.
"I let you grope me and stick your tongue in my mouth, Kolyr. I'm pretty sure I trust you."
He let go of my wrist like it was on fire, cleared his throat, and pointed toward the gates. "There's a guard there we can trust. He's working with Rylos. When the car arrives, he's going to send the guy working with him on an early break. They'll drive a little down the road and open the door. That's our cue."
"And Solys?"
Kolyr shook his head. "He left. They're out looking for you. They know you're in the forest here somewhere, but they probably don't realize just how close you are."
"Okay. Good. Great." I let out a shaky breath. "Y'know, you say that, but it still feels like he's breathing down my neck."
His expression softened. "Will you be alright?"
"I'm worn out, but I'm getting used to being in constant pain." I brushed my fingers over my bruised shoulder. "It's a little alarming, if you ask me. But hey, I'll be able to tough it out when Solys puts me back down in the basement."
I'd meant for that to come out sarcastic, but toward the end my voice began to falter. Because the truth was, I couldn't survive another stint in Solys's grasp. He probably didn't realize it, but he'd already been close to breaking me when Marion was shoved down there. I'd reached a point where I decided being his obedient toy would be better than the cramped darkness. And I was ashamed to even admit it to myself now, but it was true.
"I won't let him," Kolyr said, his voice low.
"He's not going to stop until I'm gone."
"That doesn't matter, because I'll be there to make sure you're safe until then."
Kolyr's hands found their way to my waist, gently urging me to move closer. I resisted at first, but when I looked up and saw the tenderness in his expression, I let him pull me closer. He slid his hands along my lower back and pressed me against his chest.
"I'm sorry I'm so weak," I whispered, looking up at him. "I'm not normally like this."
A sad smile crossed his lips. "You think being afraid makes you weak?"
I nodded. I'd never been fearful before Korystus. I'd been strong and commanding, forever ready to make a snap decision. I didn't have time for fear. I felt like it consumed me now.
"There's nothing wrong with being afraid of things. It's what you do with that fear that says things about you."
I laughed softly. "So what does my fear say about me?"
"It says that you're strong. You've let it carry you this far. I think a lot of people would've given in by now."
I felt a pang of guilt, thinking back to those moments in the basement, when I'd been so ready to give in. But I hadn't. Maybe I would've if Marion hadn't shown up, or maybe he was right. I couldn't be sure. I wanted to believe I was strong, but I couldn't reconcile who I was now with that woman who helmed a ship with tens of thousands aboard it.
People who'd trusted me with their lives. I couldn't save all of them, but unlike Marion, I didn't regret my choice because of the crash. Just because of where it was. It was the only way I could save as many as I did. And I'd had the strength to make that choice. Would I now? I didn't know.
I lifted my head to look at Kolyr. He was staring down at me so sweetly, it made my heart ache. How could I have been so lucky to be found by someone like him? People with hearts like his were rare even among humans, if I were to be honest.
I brought a hand to his cheek. "Thank you. For everything."
Conflict had taken hold of his expression, a deep crease appearing between his brows. Without a word, he lowered his head, forehead resting on mine.
"Do you want to know what I'm afraid of, Naomi?"
"Tell me."
"You. What does that say about me?"
I touched my hands to his chest, pulling myself up inch by inch to be just a little closer to him. I knew I should still be worried about Solys, about getting out of here, but in that moment, the only thing I cared about was being near him.
"I don't know," I said. "Why do I scare you?"
"I keep wondering how far I'll go to protect you. Each time my limits are tested, I go beyond them." He swallowed deeply and tilted his head so that his lips were just brushing mine. "But most of all, it's because you make me want the impossible."
"What's impossible?" I whispered softly, not wanting to break the moment.
"All of it."
"All of what?"
Instead of replying, his hands cupped my cheeks, pulling me into a deep kiss. The glowing trees disappeared. The cool air was gone. The noise of the city faded. All that existed in that moment were his lips and his body, hard against mine. It was such a shame we were interrupted at that grotto, because I would've done such fantastic things to him.
The thought alone made me kiss him harder, trying to take from him as much as I could get before we had to give up the forest. Before reality could crash in and ruin it all. Little did I know, leaving the forest wasn't even necessary.
Kolyr abruptly pulled away from me, taking several steps back, head shaking. "We can't do this, Naomi."
"Do what?" I knew exactly what. I just didn't want to admit it. I didn't want him to say it. We still had time.
He thrust a hand into his hair. "I don't know. Whatever we've been doing. It just needs to stop."
Everything about me hardened—my expression, my body, my thoughts, they were all shuttered in an instant. I wasn't angry. At least, I didn't think I was. It wasn't like I had anything to be mad about, right?
Kolyr was only echoing the thoughts I'd been trying to ignore. Thoughts of how I couldn't stay on this planet. It was silly to get attached, and I'd be lying to myself if I were to say I hadn't grown to like his company. It was probably just because he was the first Korysti to be nice to me anyway. I just didn't like hearing him say it.
I gave him a brisk nod and took a step back, even though there was nearly a foot between us. "You're right. It has to stop."
"I'm sorry for putting you in this position. But especially last night. I knew it was a bad idea, but I just wanted—" He ran a hand over his face and sighed. "I just wanted to see you smile more. I thought it was worth it, despite it going against everything I knew."
"We've both been acting stupid," I whispered sharply.
His brows drew together. "That's not what I meant."
I was definitely angry now. At myself, and only myself. In fact, I wasn't even mildly upset with him. Because he was absolutely, totally, and completely right. We shouldn't have been doing any of that in the first place. I just couldn't believe I'd let myself get so off-track. Not to mention, it simply wasn't fair of me to let him grow attached when I knew I would do anything not to be on this planet longer than I had to be.
"Let's just hurry up and get to this senator guy, alright?" I turned my back to Kolyr and started walking through the forest toward the road. I couldn't wait to be done with this planet.
9
Our vehicle arrived a short while later. The way into the city was as smooth as promised. One of those weird, automated rounded-rectangle carriages showed up, we got inside, and the guard waved us right on in. There hadn't been anyone inside the vehicle, but it had apparently been pre-programmed to take us to Senator Rylos.
I was crammed in a corner, eyes wide as we flew through the streets with such speed that the world outside blurred to streaks of color.
"It's perfectly safe," Kolyr said as he sat on the benched seat across from me.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Solys used to brag about your technology, too."
"I see." His voice was stiff.
I tore my eyes from the window. "What?"
"We'
re all the same to you, aren't we?"
"I mean, you all do brag about yourselves a lot, so . . ."
"Do I?"
I frowned. "Well, no, I guess not."
Kolyr said nothing. He was the one looking out the window now. I followed his line of sight and saw we were slowing down. That meant we were reaching the senator's, which meant I was one step closer to freedom.
Even with the promise of true freedom right around the corner, I was more concerned with whatever was going on with Kolyr. I couldn't figure out where any of this was coming from. He'd been ready to give me up to Solys at some point, and now he was acting like I was the one who'd done something wrong to him. I'd been nothing short of nice lately, especially by my standards.
I wouldn't get any time to ask him though. The moment we stopped in front of the ivory-colored gates set in matching walls, the car was whisked inside and we were rushed straight to the front steps of the mansion located within. It was slightly smaller than Solys's, but it was just as filled with guards. The most obvious mark of a Korysti politician, in my limited experience.
Before we'd even started toward the doors, they burst open. The guards scrambled to hold them open as a human woman ran to us, her expression twisted with sadness.
"Marion?" I could hardly believe my eyes. "What're you doing here? I figured you'd be long gone by now."
"You know her?" Kolyr asked.
"She's the one who helped me escape from Solys."
"You still have that thing?" Marion pointed at the staff I was holding and smiled, although it was still tinged with sadness.
I rolled my eyes. "Hey, c'mon, why're you looking at me like I'm dead?"
"Because you look like death, Naomi."
"I'll have you know this is an improvement."
Marion brought a hand to her mouth, smothering a laugh. From behind her, a tall Korysti male walked through the doorway and draped an arm around her waist.
I lifted my brows and looked between them. "I was going to ask what you were doing here, but I think I've figured it out. He must be the Korysti you were talking about? The one who could help?"
"The very one," she replied, her faint smile growing wider. "This is Senator Rylos Sonethel."
"Sonethel?" My pulse skyrocketed. "You better tell me that last name is like Smith or Jones for the Korysti, because I swear to you . . ."
Marion winced and held out a hand. "Listen, Solys is Rylos's brother, but I promise you he's trying to stop people like him."
I was already backing away, rapidly shaking my head from side to side, my heart hammering like crazy. Before I could get far, Kolyr took hold of my arm and held me in place. I looked up at him, accusation in my eyes.
"Did you know?"
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"You told me I could trust you."
Rylos slid his arm from Marion's waist and took a few steps forward. "You can, Naomi. Kolyr sought me out to help you. No matter what, his life is forever altered now. He accepted those consequences knowingly."
I looked at Kolyr, then back at Rylos. "What do you mean?"
"Do you think my brother will give up once you're gone?"
"Kolyr hasn't done much to him. It's mostly been me. So why bother if I'm gone . . .?" I wasn't sure why I was saying those things. I knew they weren't true. I'd been the one to tell Kolyr that Solys didn't handle his pride being wounded well.
"You must not know my brother as well as you think," Rylos replied with a sad smile.
I let out a humorless laugh. "I know your brother far better than I ever wanted to."
Rylos's eyes flickered to Kolyr. "Then you should know that once you leave, it means Kolyr will be his target."
I knew that, but I didn't want to hear it. I opened my mouth, then closed it, unsure of what to say, or even how to feel. I'd avoided thinking about it until now. I mean, I hadn't really sat down and thought about what all of this meant for Kolyr. I had told myself and him that he'd risked everything, but I hadn't really given much thought to what that meant.
By simply helping me, he'd put a target on his back. But attacking Solys's men . . .? He was going to try to have Kolyr killed, whether or not the Korysti insisted they were above violence. My bruised shoulder and throat were ample proof that wasn't true, let alone everything else I'd been through with Solys.
Rylos gave me a grim smile. "I'm sorry, this isn't the time for such discussion. I'll need to speak with Kolyr about what we're going to do going forward to keep him safe. Marion and my maids will help you get situated."
"Yeah, um . . . thanks. Sorry for freaking out on you." Smooth.
I was exhausted and tired of the ups and downs. A shower was all I wanted right now, although some food would be nice, too. Even if it came from Solys's brother. Rylos nodded at us and turned to head inside. Kolyr followed after him without a word, but his hand lingered on my arm, stretched out behind him until he could no longer keep it there.
My throat grew thick for reasons I couldn't explain. When he looked over his shoulder, and I saw the worry in those silver eyes, the weight of his sacrifice crashed down upon me. He was screwed, and I couldn't have been any less grateful.
Marion was suddenly at my side, touching my arm where Kolyr had moments ago. I wanted to brush her hand away, but I resisted the urge. Instead, I stared at it. Her olive skin glowed with health, a sharp contrast to the unnatural pallor of mine.
"I really am a mess, aren't I?" I murmured.
"I'd be shocked if you weren't," she said in a soft voice as she urged me inside. "I've been trying to find you for months."
"Months, huh? If I didn't feel like shit, I'd be impressed."
Marion laughed. "I think it's still pretty impressive."
The doors closed behind us once we were standing in the entrance. It was a wide, open space with hallways to the left and right. Plants crawled along the walls and hung from the ceiling, glowing blue and purple.
I lifted a brow at Marion. "Speaking of impressive, you nailed yourself a politician, huh?"
She snorted. "And all it took was nearly being euthanized."
"Wait, what?"
"Did I not tell you?" She gave me a wry smile. "The whole reason Rylos took me from the lab is because they just wanted to get rid of me. My records made me the equivalent of toxic waste. Nobody wanted to touch me."
"And yet you stayed? Why?"
"I was dumb enough to fall in love." She cocked her head to the side. "Which reminds me, do you think you'll be staying?"
I jerked my head back in disgust. "On Korystus? Never. I hate this place."
Her brows drew together. "I see. I just thought that you and Kolyr . . ."
"No way. It's not like that at all. I mean, I barely know him."
"Really?" She sounded genuinely surprised.
"Really." Liar, my mind whispered back. It was true that I hardly knew him. But somewhere back in that forest, I'd started to feel something for him. How could I not? He'd saved my life more than once.
Plus, when we were in that grotto, I saw a side of him that made me fall for him even more. The goofy, sweet side of him was something I wanted to know better. Especially when he had this other side that went above and beyond to protect me. I needed a lot of that these days.
It didn't matter though, because he didn't feel the same way. Which was probably because he was far more reasonable than I was. He wouldn't be so stupid as to fall for someone in a matter of days. Especially if he spent a large portion of that time unconscious.
I didn't know what he felt for me, if anything beyond obligation. Obviously he cared about what happened to me, but it was probably more of a lost puppy sort of thing. He was good, and he felt compelled to do the right thing. My stomach sank. That was definitely all it was.
Marion clapped her hands together as if trying to clear the air. "Well, I'll show you to your room. I think the maids are in there already. They might come on a little strong, but they mean well. They're trying very, very hard
."
"Trying hard to what?"
"You'll see."
As Marion led me down the hallway, I couldn't help but look around, hoping I would catch a glance of Kolyr. I just wanted to know he was okay. That he wasn't getting some terrible news about how badly helping me had screwed him over. But I knew he was. I didn't know if I'd be able to leave Korystus with a clear conscience.
Even now I'd made it to the senator's. Marion was here. I was as safe as I could be on this planet. Yet the guilt I felt about Kolyr was already eating away at me. If I were as strong as he thought I was, I wouldn't be questioning whether or not I should go.
10
The moment Marion led me inside what she referred to as the guest room, I was assaulted by sweet perfume, hands grabbing at me, and squealing—so much squealing. I was left buried between two bodies hugging themselves around me, entirely confused.
"She's lovely, Marion," a prim voice gushed.
"Kastia's not wrong, but why is she so tiny?" asked another, as if I wasn't right there. "Is this normal for humans? Is there something wrong with her? Is she broken?"
"That's very rude, Solyndi," chastised Kastia.
"She's only that thin because she hasn't been eating enough," Marion replied.
"Don't be ridiculous. I've never heard of such a thing."
"Well, yes," Marion let out a laugh tinged with exasperation, "because what she's been through isn't normal on Korystus."
I got the distinct feeling she placed the emphasis on normal for my sake and not Solyndi's. I understood she didn't want me to think this place was all bad. But that wasn't going to happen.
"Can I please breathe?" I asked irritably. "I'd rather not die just before I get my chance to leave this place."
The two bodies wrapped around me instantly pulled away, and two gorgeous Korysti women stood in front of me.
"You're going to leave?" asked Kastia, looking far too distraught for someone who'd just met me.
"But we like humans, Naomi," Solyndi chimed in with an even bigger pout. "Marion, tell her we think humans are great."
