Royal Obsession (Shadow Assassins 1)
Page 35
* * * * *
“You’ve never been on a spaceship before?”
Varrik dragged his gaze away from the spectacular view as Echo’s voice drifted to him. They soared past countless stars, moving so fast light seemed to bend. He’d been so absorbed in his troubled thoughts he hadn’t heard her enter the tiny lounge. “I’m a sweeper. I seldom had reason to leave the Shadow Maze.” He turned back to the viewport, keeping Echo in his peripheral vision. “This is amazing.”
It was over. He could sense it in her mood, see it in her eyes. She would return to her life, and he… He had no idea what would become of him. He had no resources, nothing to offer her. His heart had staked its claim, but his mind understood that a future with Echo was impossible.
“I just spoke with my father.” Her voice was soft and thick with emotion.
Here it came, the beginning of their goodbye. He looked at her, and she glanced away, burying her hands in the pockets of her pants. “What did he have to say?”
“You and your men will be taken into custody until we can sort through this mess.”
“I must return to the maze,” he objected. “The elders—”
“Are already in custody. Troops drilled down into the maze and are in the process of evacuating everyone. We’re supposed to report directly to the war room. Everyone is waiting for us there.”
“Who is everyone?”
“My mother and father. Probably Lyrik or Uncle Trey.”
He nodded. They would be treated like criminals. He had expected no other reception.
She laid her hand on his upper arm, drawing his gaze to hers. “I’ll do everything I can to make them understand.”
“Understand what? I kidnapped you and seduced you, fully intending to get you pregnant. I didn’t anticipate the intensity of our connection, but it doesn’t change the facts. I must take responsibility for my actions. I have wronged you.”
Framing his face with her hands, she stared into his eyes. “‘I have never felt as alive as I do when I’m inside you.’ You said that to me last night. I feel it, too, Varrik. There has to be a way we can—”
“Don’t.” He closed his fingers around her wrists and pushed her hands away from his face. Fostering these hopes would only make their parting harder in the long run. She deserved security and comfort, things he couldn’t give her. “I was never foolish enough to think they’d let me keep you. Flames that burn this brightly aren’t destined to last.”
“Bullshit! If we want to be together, we’ll find a way.”
“Spoken like a princess, who has never been told no.”
She folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her gaze. “Do you love me?”
“This isn’t about love.”
“Answer the question.”
“It’s irrelevant,” he said firmly. “They’re going to lock me up for what I did to you.”
“Not if I can help it.”