Page 49 of Zinnia and the Zombie
“Found some weapons and a comm device,” he reported, setting them on the table. He hesitated, then added, “And something else. A data crystal—Zathix technology.”
Her eyes widened. “Your people’s technology? Why would the Grorn have that?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I intend to find out.”
She crossed the room to him, taking his hands in hers.
“We’ll find out,” she corrected gently. “Together.”
“Together,” he agreed, drawing her close.
They had a ship to claim, a journey to begin, and answers to find. But for this moment, with Zinnia in his arms, he allowed himself to simply feel grateful. For her. For survival. For the chance to build something new from the ashes of all they had lost.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Zinnia folded the last of the clothing they had scavenged and tucked it into the makeshift bag she’d woven from some of the tougher vines in the garden. A bittersweet ache filled her chest as she looked around the apartment that had been their sanctuary. In just a few short weeks, it had become more of a home than any place she’d known since her little apartment above the garage.
Home. Such a simple word for such a complicated feeling.
She ran her fingers along the smooth surface of the countertop in their kitchen. They’d eaten here, laughed here, made love against this very surface one particularly memorable evening. These walls had witnessed her transformation from terrified captive to partner of a powerful alien warrior. From a lonely florist to a woman who had helped fight off their attackers.
“Ready?” Jaxx’s deep voice came from the doorway, pulling her from her reverie.
She turned to find him watching her, his expression soft with understanding. He could read her so well now.
“Almost,” she said. “Just saying goodbye.”
He crossed to her and brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch impossibly gentle for someone so strong. “We have time for one more visit to the garden if you’d like.”
She nodded gratefully. “I’d like that.”
They climbed the stairs to the rooftop in companionable silence, his hand warm against the small of her back. When they stepped through the door, the vibrant life of the garden embraced them—lush greenery, colorful fruits, and the sweet perfume of flowers still blooming despite the absence of the civilization that had created them.
“I’ve been thinking,” Jaxx said as they walked between rows of exotic plants. “You should take some cuttings with you.”
“Cuttings?” She looked up at him in surprise.
He gestured toward some of the fruit-bearing plants they enjoyed.
“These plants have adapted to survive with minimal care. They might thrive elsewhere. And…” he hesitated, a rare moment of uncertainty crossing his face, “they’re part of this place. Our beginning.”
How had she been lucky enough to have found this male who understood her heart so completely in the vast emptiness of space?
“That’s perfect,” she whispered, reaching for his hand.
Together they carefully selected cuttings and seeds from the most useful plants, wrapping them in moist cloths and tuckingthem into a small container he’d found. She worked quickly, mentally cataloging their properties and needs.
“This one for fever,” she murmured, selecting a plant with silvery leaves. “And this for its fruit.” She paused at a patch of night-blooming flowers—the same ones that had surrounded them during their last night of peace. After a moment’s hesitation, she gathered seeds from these as well, avoiding his knowing gaze.
When they had finished, she stood in the center of the garden one last time, breathing deeply of its rich, earthy scent.
“It will continue growing,” he said softly beside her. “Long after we’re gone.”
The thought was oddly comforting. This place that had sheltered them would go on, the plants flourishing in their carefully designed ecosystem, waiting perhaps for the next lost travelers to find refuge here.
“I’m ready now,” she said, and she meant it.
They walked back to the apartment, where he gathered their belongings—the weapons and communication device he’d scavenged from the Grorn, their clothing and the few personal items they’d collected during their stay. She took one last look around before closing the door behind them for the final time.
