Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
Of course, she watched.
There was no tearing her gaze from the sight of Drex burning off his clothes and growing flaming horns out of his head. God, what a terrifying sight to behold. She had pressed her hand to the ice-cold window and nearly cried out when he faced six Sifters. Six!
Anna had been quick to reassure her. A strong hand had gripped her shaking shoulder and pulled her back. “It’s called the primal form,” Anna had said near her ear. “It’s normal and he’s not in any pain.”
“But...he’s about to fight—”
“They are nearly indestructible in this form,” Anna had said patiently. “He will beat them.”
“What...” Madison swallowed hard. “Why did it happen?”
Anna had paused then. The long moment hung as Madison could almost hear Anna thinking and searching for the right words.
“Primal form comes out when a Virilian is in the grips of very strong feelings. Powerful protection, love, or fear of losing someone or something important to them.”
Madison was no fool. She saw where Drex was. His late mate’s garden grave had been completely destroyed and there was where he transformed. She felt her stomach drop as reality set in. “Oh.”
Anna sighed. “At least he and Trak won’t get hurt. The primal form is powerful.”
“He will never stop loving her.” Madison sighed wistfully.
“Loss is hard for some Virilians.” Anna wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “The virus that took their females broke many hearts, if not wills. Sometimes healing takes time.”
Madison nodded, but she’d seen and heard all she needed to.
Tuli brought out the primal form in Drex.
The female may have passed on, but she was still very much alive to Drex.
Madison had never thought she could be envious of a dead person, but here she was, wondering what was so captivating about Tuli Letu that she could draw out a male’s primal form from the grave.
After he had easily defeated the Sifters, she watched Drex stand among the fallen and gaze down on the grave. He was speaking with Trak.
Madison turned away, tears burning in her eyes and a lump thickening her throat. “Anna...” She wasn’t sure how to word this. “Where are you going after this?”
The woman tilted her head and peered at her. “The Plethar System, I think. Why?”
Madison had no idea where the Plethar System was, or what it was like, but it wasn’t Earth and it wasn’t Virilia. “Could I hitch a ride with you?” She hated asking favors. “I could work. You know, do something on the ship to help out.”
“I know what work is.” Anna crossed her arms. “And I can say for a fact that you don’t want to be dropped off on Plethar. You’re welcome to stay with us, though, if that’s what you want.” She paused. “Is it?”
Madison hugged herself. “I want to stay with Drex, but he’s clearly never going to care for anyone like he cares for her. Before the evacuation, he said he was going to send me back to Earth. I can’t chance being sent back, and besides, I’d like to leave on my own terms.”
“Who says you have to?”
“What do you mean?”
Anna shrugged. “You could be pregnant. It wouldn’t matter what he says he wants to do. You have the right to stay if you have his child.”
Madison slumped. “I’m not pregnant. I found out this morning.”
“Ah, I see.” Anna gave her a soft smile. “Look, Madison. I mean it—you’re welcome to fly with us for as long as you like. If you find a place you’d like to stay, you can make a decision then.”
Madison sagged with relief. “Thank you. I won’t be a burden,” she said. “And I want a job. I’m not a freeloader.”
Anna rolled her eyes. “We’ll see about finding you something to do, then. I want you to be absolutely sure, though. Do you want to speak to Drex about this? At the very least, you should say goodbye.”
Madison shook her head. Her fingers found the red stone in the center of her pendant.
“No, it’s better if I just leave. Saves us both a lot of awkwardness.
” She pulled the chain off her neck and placed it in Anna’s hand.
It looked much like the necklace she wore, but Anna’s had a clear stone.
“If you could send this back to him, I would appreciate it. Maybe one day he’ll find someone else to give this too. ”
“I will send it down with a courier before we leave.” Anna’s eyes sparkled with tears as she drew Madison into a hug. “I’m so sorry. I can tell you care about him very much.”
She hugged Anna back and closed her eyes on the tears that threatened to fall. She did care about him. If she was being honest—and at this point, why not?—she was falling in love with him.
Later, Trak returned to the ship and explained to her basically the same thing that Anna had, about the primal form and what it meant.
He had more detail, though, which was interesting, but no words of encouragement as far as Drex was concerned.
It seemed that he, too, believed Drex still actively mourned Tuli.
Anna told him of her and Madison’s conversation and he agreed to take her with them.
Afterward, conversation moved off to lighter topics, which was a relief, and little Reo joined them.
It was easier to focus on the adorable toddler who tumbled into her arms with a squeal of glee, than dwell on the male who didn’t want her.
They dined on two long tables in a large open chamber with the whole crew.
About half of them were Virilians, while the rest were comprised of other species.
The atmosphere was jovial and light, unlike the solemn dinners at Drex’s palace and before that, growing up with her strict, formal parents.
Madison spent half her meal with little Reo on her lap.
The toddler fed her bits of food and laughed when he missed her mouth.
It was such fun she almost forgot her heartbreak. Almost.
Madison spent the night in a small, but nicely appointed stateroom, and rose with the dawn’s light streaming through her window. She looked out to see many hundreds of transports returning to Exir City.
Ferias would be among them, and she would miss the High Sage, who had shown her so much kindness. She would send a message and hopefully they could stay in touch. Surely Ferias would understand why it was just too painful to stay.
Anna knocked on her door and then poked her head in. “We’re preparing to leave. A courier left your necklace on his throne, since he couldn’t find Drex. Look, are you sure you want to go?”
Madison nodded. “Drex can live a happy life, alone with his grief.”
“You know how messed up that sounds, right?”
“Not as messed up as it actually is.” Madison crossed her arms. “I will move on, even if he cannot.”
Anna leaned against the doorframe. “I knew I liked you. Well, we’re preparing for departure.” She pushed herself off, then paused. “If you change your mind in the next five minutes or so, let me know.”
“I won’t be changing my mind.”
“For what it’s worth,” Anna said, “I think Drex is a fool for letting you go.”
Madison turned her gaze back to Exir City. These would be her last looks at it. “He’s a fool for not letting her go.” Her eyes were dry. There would be no more tears spent on King Drex Letu. “You can love a dead person, but they can’t love you back.”
“Ah, Madison, did you fall for him?” Anna asked softly.
“I was,” Madison replied. “It would have been so easy.”
She heard Anna sigh. “Anytime you need to talk, I’m here.” The door hissed closed, sealing Madison off with her thoughts.
The Crib lifted away slowly, and the damaged domes of Exir City grew smaller and smaller until they blended in with the sands of the Virilian desert. Madison closed her eyes as the desert itself blinked out of sight and the view outside her window turned to black space.