Page 83 of Her Lawless Prince

“Where’s Nyle?” She asked, pushing at the lid. “Let me out of here.”

“Sleeping.” Dev stood back.

The booth unlocked and released her.

“And we’re safe?” Payton insisted as she pushed to her feet.

Dev and Jackson shared a look.

“What?” Payton held her head, feeling a little unsteady as she stood.

“Federation saw us leaving,” Dev said.

“Did they engage?” Payton frowned.

“No, but we caught an encrypted communication. Thanks to Yevgen leaving a present in the form of an encryption program in the ship’s computers for us, we were able to understand it. General Griggs has ordered someone to Cysgod.” Jackson chuckled. “The cyborg erased some of Rick’s recordings of Old Earth transmission waves to make room for his program. That in itself was a present.”

“I knew she’d try something. Griggs is looking for the virus.” Payton frowned. “We have to get there first.”

“Already on our way, starshine,” Rick announced from the doorway. “It occurred to me that is where you were hinting at before takeoff. Yevgen’s from Cysgod. Nyle built him there. That is where you hope to find the parts to reanimate your cyborg husband, isn’t it?”

Payton nodded. “If you don’t feel safe going, I can find—”

Jackson’s and Rick’s laughter cut her off.

“I’ll unpack the old suits,” Dev said. “It’s been a while since we’ve gone into a quarantine area. I’ll check them for holes.”

“Did you tell the palace where we were going?” Payton asked.

“We couldn’t be sure the transmission wouldn’t be intercepted,” Rick said. “But I’m sure Roderic will tell your mother for us when the time is right.”

“Where’s Nyle?” Payton asked.

Rick pointed his thumb down the passageway to answer her question, saying to Dev, “Dig out the containment canisters in case there’s something to scavenge. The families are still waiting for us to return to Letame with the parts to repair the ship.”

Payton walked down the passageway to the same sleeping quarters her brother had locked her in. She opened the door and found the room was dark. Instantly she went to the bed where Nyle slept. Crawling next to him, she curled along his side and put her hand on his naked chest to feel him breathing.

“We did it,” she whispered. “We told the Federation to take a flying tumble into the darkest black hole, and they’re leaving Qurilixen. It’s not over completely, but we can rest now.”

He sighed in his sleep. It might have been her imagination, but she felt as if he breathed a little easier.

Payton closed her eyes and let the vibrations of the ship lull her to sleep.

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed before she felt Nyle stroking her cheek.

“You’re beautiful when you sleep,” Nyle whispered.

“You can’t see me.” She gave a small chuckle. “The room is dark.”

“I have been listening to you breathe, and I can see you perfectly in my mind.” He snuggled her closer, holding her in his arms.

Payton felt his breath tickling her cheek. Their lips came together in a gentle kiss. The heat of his body curled through her. The darkness cocooned her, making her feel safe. Outside problems still stirred, but here, in his arms, none of that mattered. It was the emotions inside her, crashing around, that she couldn’t escape. She loved him so much, and that fear of thinking he had died still haunted her. She also grieved for her friend. Relief for Nyle amplified the guilt she felt.

Their mouths parted.

“I’m sorry about Yevgen.” Nyle reached along his waistband and pulled out the disk. His voice remained soft. “I have the recording he gave me when he zapped me.”

“You sound less confused. Do you remember everything that happened?”

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