Page 74 of Grulen

“Costonia has great mind healers.I’m sure they’ll help.”She chewed a bite of pie, swallowed, then said, “If you want, I’ll be with you as you figure it all out.”

He frowned and his tail stiffened.

“Until theFortitudeleaves and who knows when that will be.”

“No, I’m staying on Costonia for a while unless you have a mate who can be there for you.”Her teeth dug into her lip.“Unless you don’t want me around.”

“Ciebala, I hope you stay.”His eyebrows drew together, and his lips hid his fangs.“Although if I have a mate, then perhaps it’s best if you leave.It would be too painful for both of us.”

“No sense worrying too much about it yet.”

His hand cupped her jaw, and he rested his forehead on hers.

“Whatever happens, please know how much I’ve enjoyed every moment with you.”

Her eyes teared up.

“Don’t say it like that.Like you’re already saying goodbye.”

Their breaths mixed.His scent enveloped her, and she shivered.

“No goodbyes,ciebala.”

Chapter 21

Inthegreenhouse,Grulenread the information on his tablet for the thousandth time.His tail swept in the small patch of grass where he sat cross-legged.When Makai responded to King Sovex, he sent everything the Wing Raiders knew about his amnesia and injuries.The next day, under the advice of mind healers, King Sovex relayed a redacted file about Grulen in the hopes it might ease his transition.The healers warned Grulen might not recognize himself in the file yet, but until they had a chance to examine him in person, they were unwilling to give more details.

Name: Grulen Jevax of House Midnar.Father: Nurin Jevax.Mother and sisters: deceased.Age: Forty-one.Born in the village of Nestune.Status: Unmated and under no contracts.Children: None.Identifying marks: None.Graduated the Warrior Academy with no specialization.Current ship assignment: Warrior on theInvictus, flagship of the Svesti military, serving under Commander Vared Durek.Duration of assignment: Over five years.Previous ship assignment: Warrior on theDiligence, science vessel.Included were several commendations as well as ratings from superior officers.Last assignment: Classified.

Images of a younger him accompanied the file.Two from the Warrior Academy—one from when he arrived and the other taken the day of his successful completion.Then others from theDiligenceandInvictus.

“Hey,” Morgan said softly as she approached.“Anything ring a bell?”

Frustrated, he tossed the tablet aside and watched as she sat next to him.

“No.Bare facts.Nothing more.I don’t recognize myself in any of it.”His hair stirred from the harsh breath he blew.

“We arrive at Costonia tomorrow.Maybe being back on your world will help.”She clasped his tail as it slid toward her.“At least you know your name and age.”

“They’re just words on a screen,ciebala.”He removed her hand from his tail and held it instead.Her fingers entwined with his.

“What can I do to help?”

“You’ve been doing it for days.Listening to me complain and whine.”

“Knock it off.”

“What?”

“Being so hard on yourself.Not long ago, you told me I was allowed to feel what I feel.That goes for you as well.”She glanced down at their hands.“Even if I could magically forget all the bad things that happened to me, I’m not sure I would.Would I still be me if I didn’t remember?We’re a sum of our experiences.Take them away and would my current strength be less?”

“I think that’s part of it.The way I’m feeling and behaving now…is it the same as I would have before the accident?Am I the same male?”

She pursed her lips.

“Does that mean you aren’t sure about your feelings about me?”

“You misunderstand me, Morgan.I don’t doubt us at all.I doubt me.”He slapped his chest with his free hand.

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