Page 36 of Wanted By the Alien Warden

“Speaking of being prepared,” I said, ignoring the fluttering in my belly at his friendly, nearly flirtatious tone. “What’s the plan for the next few days?”

“I believe it would be best to travel to Warden Hallum’s province first,” he said as he finished up with the sleeve he was currently working on. “Zohro’s property is actually closer to the border than the mountains. For efficiency’s sake, I’ll ask him to meet us there. That way you can meet four of the unmarried hopefuls at once. Afterwards, we can journey to the mountains. Garrek, Magnolia, and their convict-ward Killian are still staying on Oaken’s property. I would not be surprised if they settle in the mountains permanently at this rate.”

“Is that, you know, allowed?” I asked, curious about just how much freedom the men had here. This was technically a penal colony, after all.

“Considering I am the one who would be responsible for allowing it? Yes. I have no problem with this. It may even be beneficial for Killian, as I believe he needs as solid a supportsystem as he can get. Garrek’s old ranch can be repurposed or used to house a future convict if necessary.”

“Killian. That’s the one who threatened to kill me on that call?” I said, my mouth pulling down. It had been just a little too easy to get swept up in the adoration Fallon and Silar had for their wives. But remembering Killian reminded me that, ultimately, these men had all killed people.

“He is immensely protective of Magnolia,” Warden Tenn explained. “He considers her his family. He never had a mother on Zabria.”

“I never had one, either. Doesn’t mean I go around threatening to ‘end people,’” I tutted.

Warden Tenn paused, his needle halfway into the fabric.

“But if you had found such a thing as a broken-hearted child,” he said softly, “after never having had it before, would you not do everything in your power to protect it?”

My throat closed up. My eyes burned.

Suddenly, I was eight years old again, alone in the Terratribe I foster care system. Alone, but for Angela, ten years my senior and more like a sister than a friend.

I remembered the day she turned eighteen. There was no cake, no celebration. No candles to be blown out or wishes to make. Nothing but her bags being packed for her and all but tossed out into the street.

I remembered the way I melted down. The hysterical crying that made me feel like my head would split in two. I remembered using my entire body to try to keep her with me. I’d gripped her sleeve so desperately that I tore the flimsy fabric.

And I remembered the intensely painful shame of that, because clothes without holes were so hard to come by, and she and I had so few of them already.

She wasn’t angry about the sleeve. She told me through her tears that it was alright.

I never saw her again.

Even now, twelve years later, panic filled my body as those memories rushed through me. That harrowing fear of being abandoned, of losing the one person I’d loved.

What would I have done, beyond ripping an old sleeve, had I had the chance?

Would I have actually hurt someone? Killed someone?

Probably not.

But maybe I would have threatened to.

I blinked back tears, trying to control my breathing as best I could. The past and the present crashed together. An old torn sleeve.

And a new one, carefully put together by the warden.

“There,” he said. “Nearly finished.”

Nearly finished with the shirt, at least. Not the pants. He hadn’t even started on those.

My body went suddenly boneless with exhaustion.

“Is it alright if I just wear the shirt part tonight?” I asked. I tried to disguise the weakness in my voice, the way it cracked, but I knew by the sharp look that Warden Tenn sent me that I hadn’t succeeded.

Instantly, he was moving. On his feet, two big steps, then down on one knee before me. The room brightened with a new source of light – his eyes.

“Are you alright?” Crackling urgency made his words quick, almost harsh.

“Just tired,” I said. I sniffed and blinked again, proud that I hadn’t let any tears escape. “I’m sure you are, too,” I added. “It’s been a long day.”

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