Freya looked around and tried to sit up. “Where am I?”
“You are home—your new home, that is. You’re on the colony world, in a hibernation chamber on the old spacecraft.”
She froze. “I was shot. Chastity shot me.”
He tried to slide a hand under her, but she was still gawking at the unfamiliar scenery. “It was just a tranquilizer gun.”
She stopped looking around and instead focused all her attention on him. Her eyes were curious yet loving. “What happened to you?”
He stopped urging her out of the chamber and looked deeply into her eyes. It had been such a shock to him to see her aged, yet she still took his breath away. He hoped what he was seeing in her now meant she felt the same way about this older version of him. “Nothing. I just got older is all.”
She reached up and touched his face, the tenderness in her fingertips enough to melt his heart.
“I don’t understand.”
He knew this was it. He had to convince her he did this all for the right reasons. This was his one shot to convince her that they belonged together in this new unknown life.
“Well, here’s the thing. I got to thinking. You really weren’t going to let this whole age difference go. So, I had to put you in the hibernation chamber so I could catch up. And you were wrong, did I mention that?”
“You put me in hibernation for 22 years?”
He scratched his chin theatrically to pretend to be his goofy old self. She had to believe his story until Aakil arrived. His entire future depended on it.
“Well, technically, no. It was just 16. But don’t you go making a stink about being 6 years older, or I’ll put you back in there.”
She furrowed her brows. And it was just enough to make him doubt his entire plan. He did what she always felt he did best: babbled like an idiot. “Well, technically, I was 2 years older than you, so you are really only 4 years older, but still, I will have no attitude from you, missy.”
“How did I get here then?”
Colin took a deep breath and launched into the lengthy explanation. This part was easy as it was all true, or at least mostly true. He explained about Chastity approaching him in the underground as he left her office, the coup they planned together, how Chastity wanted them to be together and so she set the entire thing up for Freya to be brought through to this side.
He then moved on to explain what the colony had accomplished while she slept, how they were a monarchy but failed to mention the part where they were nothing more than figureheads.
For a moment she looked impressed. His chest burned in anticipation. Will this really work? Maybe Aakil was right. Maybe she’s still too disoriented to see through this.
After Freya heard his explanation of their government and people, she responded, “So, I’m not really needed then. I can step back from politics and focus on the agricultural needs of this land.”
Relief washed through his body at her words. All this time, he thought she would hate him for how he messed up their reign, but he had never stopped for a second to wonder if Freya wanted to rule. It suddenly made sense. Freya was never power hungry; she only cared about what was best for everybody.
Maybe she will be happy to leave here with me and start fresh with a new plot of land to sow.
For the first time since he put her to sleep on this ship, he felt hopeful for their future together. Soon, Aakil would arrive and tell everyone what the State had done, what the State could still have planned to destroy them, and Freya would know exactly what to do to get the colonists moving.
“You can do both,” Colin answered. “They may not need policing, but these people love you, and they need you as their guide.” He took a deep breath. “Many still fear the State will come for us, but they trust you will make the right decisions if they do. With you, they believe we could win against the State again, just as we did before.”
He slowly reached forward, pulling her into his arms. Looking into her eyes, he felt safe. He felt that together, they could take on both the State and the Advisors. With her at his side, they could do anything.
Chapter 36
Freya
Her feet cemented in place as the air changed. As she deeply inhaled, her eyelids pressed together. The warm sun shining down on her clammy skin wasn’t what had made her pause, but the cool, crisp breeze kissing her skin. Even from the doorframe of the spacecraft, it was everything she imagined it would be.
Colin gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. She wanted to hold on to this moment, attempting to memorize the unfamiliar sensations. Her heart soared at the prospect of living outside of a confining dome, but she knew a lifetime on this planet’s surface would never feel this exhilarating again.
As she had spent so much of her adult life on the State House grounds, she knew better than most what an environment filled with natural vegetation would look like. But already, she could see multiple new hues of color along with the mountain peaks and fluffy clouds gently sitting as a silent yet powerful backdrop.
She could picture it all in her mind as the breeze danced around her, occasionally swishing her hair about, tickling her face and neck. As she looked down, she could hardly comprehend what she was seeing. There were small buildings and roads all around the spacecraft. Her mind could hardly comprehend the structures in front of her.
The buildings in the State had been tall and lean, protruding aggressively into the sky above the dome while being squeezed together. It was almost odd; they were so much smaller than the State’s, yet they left her in awe. Each building seemed to be unique from any surrounding it in shape and size. Most the buildings were constructed of wood and retained earthy tones. There were also some circular structures which weren’t made from wood, but from dried vegetation slung over bound sticks.
She blinked rapidly as her mind tried to take it all in. The colonists had even designated land as roads between the buildings, leaving rich brown earth exposed. Lush green grass flourished surrounding each building and in the vast land beyond.
As the Head of State, reports were the only thing she ever saw of the colony world other than Colin. Even if the State could see what the colonists had built, no report could do justice to the sight before her. She was humbled, her heart swelling with pride in her people.
Colin stood at her side, fingers intertwined. He remained silent and let her take it all in until she looked at him. His mouth pulled into a wide grin, yet she couldn’t help but notice that he seemed tense; his eyes lacked his characteristic sparkle.
Is he nervous I won’t like it here? Or was he apprehensive about our relationship with all the time that had passed?
When on earth under the State’s rule, their coupling wasn’t optional, but here, that would be different. There was nothing to bind them together; it was their own choice to be coupled or part ways. Did he have faith that their relationship would be successful?
Images from their past flashed through her mind. She had been difficult at best throughout most of their coupling. The way she treated him when he came through from the colony world made it incomprehensible that he would have waited for her.
Why did he put her into hibernation? With so little reason to have faith in their relationship, why take such a risk? There was something she was missing. She needed so much more information about what happened before the rebellion stormed the transport device and what had happened since then.
“You don’t like it?” Colin asked.
Freya winced.
We have plenty of time to go over the details later.
“I’m sorry. I think I’m a little disoriented. You know, the ship and all; my head is fuzzy.”
“I know what you mean, it’s a lot to take in.” He looked out over the rows of buildings. “I had... you know, hoped you’d be a little more impressed with what we’ve done here.”
Heat flushed her cheeks. “Oh, no, Colin. This place is spectacular. I can’t believe what you’ve done in so little time.”
; He cast his gaze around briefly and looked down. “Sometimes, I look at this place and I’m amazed. But I have to admit, I hoped we could have done more before I had to wake you. I wanted you to wake up to a home, well… fit for a Queen.”
Her heart sank. She suddenly understood why he was so tense. He never had confidence in their relationship, in her; it was merely hope. He hoped that if he proved he was worthy of her, she would love him. He didn’t know that she knew deep down he had nothing to prove to her, but instead, she had a debt to pay to earn his love.
She turned to him and gently placed her hand on his face. “Colin, I know that the last time… well, the last two times we saw each other, I’m sure I gave you plenty of reason to doubt my feelings for you. All I can tell you was that as soon as you left, all I wanted was to have you back. Rebellion member or not. When I was the Head of State, I couldn’t see past our age difference and my focus was on fixing all the State’s wrongs. But you seemed to fix both of those issues. If all we had was a corner section of floor to sleep in the spacecraft, it would be enough.”
He gripped her hand on his cheek as his eyes flooded with tears. With his sudden display of emotion, the ache in her heart deepened.
“I’m sorry that I hurt you. I’m so proud of what you’ve done and I’m so lucky that after everything I did, you still love me and were willing to wait for me.”
While keeping her hand in his, he turned away from her, resting a hand on the door frame.
“Colin?”
He wiped at his eyes. “I just need a minute.”
Slowly, she reached her other hand to him and slid it around to his waist until they were facing each other.
“Colin, we are together again and free from the State. Nothing will tear us apart again. Ever.”
His jaw clenched. “I hope you really mean that.”
She leaned in closer to him, placing a gentle kiss on his lips. He pulled her against him firmly and deepened their kiss. The kiss felt hungry, even desperate.
A whistle called from the ground. They pulled apart and her cheeks flushed. As she looked down at the middle-aged male observer, his face flinched in recognition. “Madam Head of State. You’re awake.” He shifted uncomfortably. “Sorry. I mean, Queen Freya.”
“It was time,” Colin replied.
The man gave a slight bow. “It is an honor to have you back with us, ma’am.”
She opened her mouth but couldn’t compile a single response. Never had she had this level of contact with her people as the Head of State. Reaching her hands into assembled crowds to allow the people to touch her was considered revolutionary during her term. But having someone know her name and use it in combination with the title of Queen, was just too much to take in.
“Yes, it is.” Colin answered. “She’s still rather disoriented from the hibernation chamber, and so, if you will excuse us, I need to get her home.”
The man did a combination of a nod and bow and shuffled off along the road.
Freya rubbed her eyes. “There are a lot of things about this place that will take some getting used to. Especially being called Queen Freya.”
Colin wrapped his arm around her back, firmly gripping her waist. “We should get out of here before more people see us.”
He urged her to step down onto the wooden staircase adjoining the spacecraft’s entrance. The wood was pliable beneath her feet; she was grateful for Colin’s guidance downward. Once they reached the ground, he deftly guided her through a series of turns until they reached a small wooden-framed home. He momentarily let go of her to push open the door.
With a slight step up, they entered their home. She peered around, trying to take it all in. The floors were constructed of the same spongy wood as the spacecraft’s stairs. The kitchen was the first thing she noticed as her eyes adapted to the dimly lit space. A stone space for a fire, a table and chairs to dine. There were only two doors off the main space.
“I know it doesn’t look like much, but we reserve the wooden homes for anyone in the government and families with newborn babies. Most people are in mud huts, and far too many are still sleeping in the town hall.”
Her mind felt a heavy fog washing over. Colin’s behavior kept insinuating that he felt guilty or ashamed, but she couldn’t comprehend why.
I know I made a lot of mistakes in our relationship, but was I really that awful that he’s so scared I’ll leave him because he couldn’t offer me more?
“Colin, I can’t even comprehend how you’ve done what you did. This colony is amazing. I can’t wait for us to start our new lives together.”
He blinked rapidly and looked away.
I’m missing something.
“Colin, is everything okay?”
He shifted his weight and turned toward one of the doors. “I’m sorry. I’m so exhausted right now. Can we lie down?”
She didn’t know if he was acting strange or if her mental fog was making her see something that wasn’t there. All that she knew was that laying down felt like a splendid idea.
Chapter 37
Freya
She rolled over, cramming the pillow in the crook between her neck and shoulder. Her body wiggled and shifted, trying to find the right spot on the lumpy mattress. She opened her eyes, looking over to see if her restlessness had disturbed Colin.
Through the darkness she could see the vacant spot in the bed beside her. “Colin?”
No answer.
It was so dark. She rose from their bed and felt around the walls in search of a light switch before she remembered they didn’t have lights. The windows were open when they arrived, but now they had some sort of covering on them.
She fidgeted around until discovering a latch and unhooked it. The wooden cover swung open, revealing nothing but more darkness. Her jaw clenched as she questioned why Colin would leave her alone in a strange house on a new world in complete darkness. This isolation made her fearful in a way she hadn’t experienced since childhood.
How could he abandon me? The Colin I know wouldn’t leave me like this.
Suddenly, she became aware of her thoughts and realized the flaw in her thinking.
But I don’t know Colin. And he doesn’t know me. We’ve both had a lifetime to grow apart.
After she fumbled around looking for a light source, she gave up and flung the front door open. It was time to leave this place and take a look around the colony, with or without Colin.
The grid pattern streets made it easy to navigate through their community’s core. Most households were quiet as she passed by, only some held hushed conversations or a baby crying. The most prevalent sounds were coming from the chorus of nature and the shuffling of her own feet.
What she assumed was the largest building in their community came into view. It was freestanding and geometrically shaped with a pointed roof. She took a step up onto the balcony and ran her hand along the wooden railing. The entire structure was made of wood, logs stacked on top of each other.
There were no lights shining behind the window coverings, nor any conversation coming through the walls. Everyone was sleeping. She figured it must be the middle of the night.
So, where was Colin?
She could decipher the spacecraft’s outline behind the remaining buildings. She started heading toward it before coming to a dead halt. There was something about the tall structure that gave her the creeps. It was too big. Too sterile. Too much a reminder of the dome she’d narrowly escaped.
Somehow, she felt she could get lost more easily inside the spacecraft than outside. Through the illumination of the moonlight, she could make out some lightly rolling hills with a heavy forested area just behind it.
The tall grass brushed past her delicate skin as she slogged her way toward the tree line. She felt the cold, damp earth squish between her toes as she walked. A chill ran up her legs, reminding her that shoes would have been a good idea, yet hadn’t bothered to search for them in the dark.
The closer she got, the deeper an ee
rie feeling of déjà vu washed over her, sending goosebumps radiating across her skin. Somehow, it felt familiar. Too familiar.
She reached out, touching the first tree she met. The cool mossy bark, rough and familiar. Her fingers pinched a few pine needles between her fingers, sliding down to their pointed end. Next, she gripped a pinecone, dragging her thumb across the rough shell.
She stepped back from the tree, crouching to the ground. Her hand sunk into the ruffling blades of grass, swirling it around with her fingers until she plucked a blade of grass with her fingers, holding it up in the moonlight to examine it. She scraped her thumb down the sticky, waxy surface, and then planted herself on the ground.
Conspired: A Young Adult Dystopian Romance (The State Series Book 6) Page 26
