Page 69 of Einar

“Einartold me these translators are the fancy kind that work for reading as well as talking.Wewon’t be able to write in another language, but we can at least read them.”

“Well, that’s pretty damn cool!”

“Mostdefinitely.So, what’s up?Youdon’t do anything without a reason, so get to talking.”

Sherolls her eyes at my playful question.

“Okay,MissSassyPants.Yes,I’mhere for a reason.Kallentold me exactly whatRuarcsaid and called you.That‘bychit’ word is their version of bitch, cunt, or both rolled into one.”

“Oof.NowonderEinarwas so mad.”

“Ihave half a mind to take a piece out of his hide, too!”

“NoRuby, you won’t.Ruarcloves his brother, and though he said some nasty things, he was being honest.I’mpretty sureEinarfractured some of the bones in his face, and is refusing to heal any of them, soRuarcis going to have to mend the old-fashioned way.That’splenty.”

“Well, fine.Beall assertive and whatnot then.”

Hersmile and twinkling eyes tell me she’s teasing me, though her words are serious.Butthen her face sobers before she asks,

“Areyou happy,Sis?”

Pausing,Itake a moment to really think about the question before answering her.

“Surprisinglyenough, yes,Iam.I’vereally thought about my life.Thepast, the present, and the future after you helped me calm down under the blanket in the med bay.Ido not want to be a broke down victim anymore.You’reright, we’ve been through a lot, but things happen for a reason, andIrefuse to waste my second chance.Sealingthe bond withEinarwas my choice, and the fact that he would have died before coercing or forcing me into something that permanent speaks to the quality of his character.Icould do a lot worse than to spend the rest of my life with a man like that.”

Leaningforward, she drags me into a crushing hug.

“I’mso happy to hear that,Rowan.Yousound like the old you, before that fucker got ahold of you.I’vegot my sister back!”

“I’mnot the same personIwas,Ruby.Notby a long shot, but through all of this, withEinar’shelp,I’vefound a better version of myself.That’stheRowanyou want, not the scared, spoiled bratIwas growing up.”

Releasingme from her hug, she says.

“Youweren’t ever any of those things,Sis.Ipromise.”

“Areyou happy,Ruby?Ican tell that you andSlavichave gotten really close since you woke up.”

Herface softens, andIknow what she’s about to say before her mouth opens.

“Ididn’t expect someone like him, butIcan’t deny the fact thatI’mmadly in love with the big grouchy fart.HeandIgo together like peas and carrots.Whatabout you?Doyou loveEinar?”

“Iwouldn’t say thatI’min love with him, butIdefinitely have feelings for him.Hecouldn’t be more different fromRobertif he tried, and that makes me ecstatic.It’sreally only a matter of time before whatIfeel deepens into love.”

“Thatmakes me so happy for you,Rowan.Well,Iknow how much you love to read, and haven’t had much time to do it in a long time, soI’mgonna head out.It’sbeen a minute sinceI’veannoyed my big grouch, so he’s overdue for some harassment.Seeyou at supper!”

Rubyhugs me once more before jumping off the couch and practically skipping out the door.Lookingaround the bedroom, contentment suffuses me as it dawns on me.RubyandIare finally home.

ChapterForty-Two

ROWAN

Overthe next week,EinarandIsettle into a comfortable routine.Afterexpressing my interest in learning how to be a medic, or at least an assistant toEinar, we spend our days in the med bay after breakfasting with the rest of the crew, but the nights…

Oh, the nights…

Afterbreaking the seal on sex,EinarandIhave been going at it like rabbits, to coin my sisters’ phrase.I’mnot saying thatI’m100% better, but any timeEinarsensesI’mstruggling with something we stop and talk it out.Thepowers that be couldn’t have brought me a better life partner than him.

Unfortunately,Bikar’sscans have told us absolutely zilch, much to his frustration.Thetechnology he’s using goes way over my head, butEinar’stold me thatBikarhas tried everything from thermal scans to something similar to echolocation, only to come up with the same results every time.

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