Chapter 8 #4
I knew there was much more to the Galerian clan than Steen had shared. Maybe he never would. I wasn’t in his inner circle.
Her steps were almost silent as she walked over, peering down. “What is all this? They’re beautiful.” She brushed her fingers across the jewels, shaking her head.
“A bribe.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them. My nagging intuition left a burning pit in my stomach. Where did they get the jewels? The incredible dress made of spun silk?
“You don’t trust them. Do you?”
I shrugged my shoulders, my fists clenching involuntarily. “I don’t trust anyone.”
She slipped her hand into mine, curling her fingers and the grip becoming firm yet shaky. “Who am I going to be mated with?” Disappointment shone in her eyes, creating an ache in my heart. I couldn’t be everything for her, whether on this planet or another.
“It is undecided, although I’d been given the honor of being one of them.
” I squeezed her hand, rubbing my thumb back and forth across her delicate skin.
Foreboding feelings remained furrowing into the back of my mind.
There was no trust of these people any more than I’d ever had with my own.
A sickness gnawed at my gut, but there was little I could do.
“One. This is insane. I’m not ready for something like this. I just wanted a new life. A normal life.” Cassia’s tone held such anguish.
“There is no such thing as normal. Not on Earth and not here. We adapt. These people are decent and caring.”
“Are they good men or monsters?” she asked, almost absently.
“They are… warriors.” I found it difficult to say. “They’ve lived a harsh life, more so than even some on Earth.”
“Like you. If only you could remember.”
“I remember enough, Cassia. There is no perfect situation, no world that will be what Earth once was. We only have here and now. And survival. What happens in the future we can’t control.”
“There could be a way. Get me back to the compound. I will find answers as to what’s going on.”
I laughed, the sound bitter. “And disobey yet another leader in a regime.”
“Answers may help secure our freedom. This isn’t your home any more than it is mine.”
I wasn’t entirely certain whether I cared about freedom or revenge. “You’re a psychiatrist. What could you do?”
“I’m also a scientist, trained in human anatomy. I can at least figure out what procedures Kevin performed, even reversing them if that’s what you and the others want. I just need to see them, take blood in order to study, but I would need access to the lab.”
“What did you say?”
She nodded, placing her hand on my arm. “It’s true. Dr. Forrester made certain no one knew about my capabilities, but I am skilled enough to help us.”
The news was like any other that I’d experienced in the last year—born out of secrecy and lies.
There was no one that I could trust implicitly.
A cold shield slammed down, cutting off all desire.
I had to make sense of this, process everything I’d heard.
Far too much of the information conflicted with the rest. I did what I’d always done.
I shut down.
There was a rush to this ceremony, leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth. However, I would follow the Galerian rules.
For now.
“You are required to be mated as stated by the laws of Galerius. It will be dark soon, so I suggest you prepare.” I walked away from her, heading toward the door.
I was sick inside, my skin crawling. Perhaps Steen had been correct and she was one of our enemies.
If so, our connection was contrived, manufactured by scientists and nothing more.
That couldn’t be the case. I felt her crawling inside me, her blood as if pumping with mine.
The taste of her lingered on my tongue, her scent on my skin and it would never fade. I was a part of her as she was of me.
“Erik, wait. Did you ever stop to think that both of us have been lied to and not just by Kevin? There’s something ominous going on here and we need to figure it out. Somewhere in that big brain of yours, you know that. Have you seen David? Do you even know that he’s alive?”
I had to admit if only to myself that I hadn’t. I’d been sequestered to my quarters when not ‘training’ Cassia. “I’m certain he’s being well taken care of.”
“Oh, you’re so certain about that? I suggest you find out. Help me before it’s too late.”
“You are to stay in this room and prepare for the mating ceremony. If you disobey in any manner, you will be punished. Is that clear?”
Her lilting voice cut right through me, including my heart. I wanted to believe her. I needed to have her as my own. I hesitated briefly, shifting in order to look her directly in the eyes. There was such care in them, the kind of sincerity that could draw me into her quicksand.
“Crystal, Erik, or should I call you Master?” she snapped and folded her arms.
I was sick at heart, sick in my mind, and mostly, tired of living. I opened the door, every part of me struggling. I wanted to believe her. I wanted to love her.
And most of all, I wanted her undying love—forever.