Chapter 35
Thirty-Five
Ronan blocked Sean with his body as Mr. Ramon lunged at him again, arms swinging through the warm night air. His knife sat in his hand. Long tangled hairs prickled down his neck. His cracked spectacles sat askew on his face; mouth curled in an angry scowl. Clearly, he hadn’t learned his lesson earlier.
“So you’re at it again? Abducting my daughter wasn’t enough?”
As Mr. Ramon came dangerously close to him and Sean, Ronan raised a palm and swept him through the air telepathically. Autumn’s father twisted and groaned as he attempted to escape. Ronan bent his knife with his mind, throwing the weapon into a nearby patch of green.
Sean gasped and slid backwards from the rock and onto the ground. His eyes followed Ronan’s every move. He glanced at Sean before looking at Mr. Ramon. He’d imagined this moment going a little more smoothly. For shame.
Ronan crossed his arms. “You need to start behaving yourself, it’s going to be a long ride to where we’re going.”
“How are you doing that?” Sean’s teeth chattered but Ronan remained still and focused. Unfortunately, he would have to wait to continue their conversation later.
“Everyone told me I was insane, but clearly I’m not,” Mr. Ramon growled. “I’ve been waiting here all day and all night every day for the better part of a year for the chance to confront one of you aliens . Now tell me, where’s my daughter?”
Ronan cocked his head to the side. “I shall bring you to her soon enough.”
“I know Dante has her locked away out here somewhere doing who knows what. I’ve seen your mothership, but I can never get onboard before it disappears, kind of like the ship you forgot to seal me inside of when you left to go and gather your next victim. When I get my hands on that punk?—”
Ronan stared at him, flabbergasted. “I’m not abducting anyone; this is my boyfriend. He’s out here of his own free will,” he blinked. “If I set you down on the ground, do you promise to control yourself?”
“I can’t make any promises,” Mr. Ramon’s fists shook at his sides. “But I can try for the sake of my daughter.”
“Very well then, you had better try hard. I’m your one and only chance of ever seeing her again,” he lowered her father to his feet. “I know Autumn, but she’s not here. She’s been gone from Earth for years.”
“What do you mean gone?” Mr. Ramon’s mouth quivered with rage. “Did he?—”
Ronan felt like he was speaking in circles. The man didn’t understand, no matter how many ways he tried to explain the situation, so he decided to spell it out. “Dante took her with him to Universe 13 to be his wife.”
Mr. Ramon threw his hands into the air. “Oh no. No, no, no, I don’t believe you. That’s impossible. She has to be here. She just has to. There’s no such place as Universe 13. There’s only one universe. What do you think I am, stupid? Take me to her before I call the cops.”
An awkward silence followed.
“We both know they don’t listen to you anymore, they haven’t for a while,” Ronan shifted his weight. “And I’m afraid you’re mistaken, there are twenty-four universes, not one like you humans are groomed to believe, but I will take you to her. I was sent to fetch you by my emperor, Dante.”
Her father rolled his eyes. “ Emperor Dante. That’s fine, I don’t care what you want to call him. I’m going to give that boy a piece of my mind he’ll never forget. How dare that wanted criminal marry my daughter without my permission.”
“You can take that up with him personally, but I’m afraid we must step lightly. I’m on a tight schedule. We need to go back to my ship.”
Mr. Ramon walked past them grumbling obscenities beneath his breath. He turned around. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go, alien.”
“My name is Ronan actually,” he corrected. Wow, what a rude man.
He remained behind for a moment with Sean. Bits of pink sunlight sparkled through the treetops. Dawn rapidly approached.
“I’m sorry you had to find out about me this way. I should’ve told you sooner, but I didn’t know how. I understand if you don’t want to be with me anymore. I’m not sure I would want to be with me at this point,” his face and neck burned with shame.
Sean reached and tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear. “It’s okay, I wouldn’t have believed you until I saw for myself. I don’t like that you lied to me, but at the same time I can understand why.”
Ronan nodded slowly. His heart raced in his chest. He was so kind.
“Yes, I want to be with you, and I still want to come with you on our trip,” Sean squeezed his hand reassuringly. “Just don’t lie to me again.”
“I won’t, I promise.” Cool relief flooded through his limbs.
Sean lowered his voice to a whisper. “And you need to tell me what was up with that guy. That was just plain weird .”
“Of course, I’ll tell you anything you want to know. All you need do is ask.”
Sean waited in silence.
He continued. “Two words, family drama.”
Sean’s eyes grew wide and curious. “Oh, we have plenty of that going on in my family too—one of my cousins just eloped.”
They began to follow Autumn’s father through the long stretch of trees when Sean stopped in his tracks abruptly.
“I have one more question. You might think it’s kind of cliché, but I have to ask.” His cheeks pinkened.
“Okay?”
“Do you come in peace?”
Ronan hesitated for a few moments before his mouth curled. “Yes, this time I do.” And for the first time in his life, it was the truth—and it felt good.