“Of course.”
She burst out crying, because she was too angry, and hurt, and shocked, and overwhelmed to do anything else. She hadn’t cried when Wesley cheated on her with the waterpark girl, but this was a million times worse. This wasXane!He was her husband! He’d said so. He couldn’t just change his mind and move to another planet.
“You’re breaking up with me?!” She wailed. “Howcouldyou?”
“I would never break any part of you!” Xane sounded aghast at the very idea. “What is happening? Is this leakage from your eyes normal?”
“It does not look normal.” Hathgarr opined. “We have a doctor on board. She may need new eyeballs. Hers are rupturing.”
“My eyeballs are not rupturing!” Sadie sobbed. “Crying is perfectly normal when you’re married to an oblivious idiot.” What was Xane thinking? They belonged together! Did he not feel it?
Xane was horrified by her stream of tears. “Stop. Please. This cannot be healthy.”
“I amupsetwith you, not dying. Unless it’s from a broken heart.”
“We can change her heart, as well.” Hathgarr assured Xane. “We’ll just remove her old one with a laser.”
“Do not unleash any lasers near my wife.” Xane ordered, reaching for her himself. “Sadie, I have done what you wanted. I have found you a way home.”
Sadie batted him away, furious that he wasn’t getting it. “I am yourwife!”
“Iknowyou are my wife. I just told Hathgarr as much.” Xane held up all four hands in surrender, wary of setting her off. “You are my definitely-wife and I will keep you well. Come, we must go to the doctor to see what’s wrong with your eyes.”
“You’re what’s wrong with my eyes, you ass!” She looked around for something to throw at him. She settled on a circular pillow that glowed. It was sitting next to a computer console.
Xane sighed as the puffy thing bounced off his chest. “Sadie…”
“Don’t ‘Sadie’ me, with your sexy alien voice!”
“…that is anumby.” He persisted and gestured towards the circular pillow. “It regulates the ship’s oxygen.”
“I don’t care!” Hang on. Maybe she did. Oxygen was important. “Fine. I’ll throw something else at your dumb head!”
Hathgarr began looking worried for his brother’s chances at survival. Smart man.
“Why are you upset with me?” Xane asked, like he had no clue.
“You think you’re just going to drop me off on Earth and wave goodbye?” Sadie gave up on finding projectiles, and settled for just jabbing a finger at Xane’s giant torso. “Forget it! You can’t get rid of me that easy!” It wasn’t happening. She wouldn’tletit happen.
“I have no desire toget rid of you.” Xane’s brows compressed like she’d offended him. “Wait… you think I plan toabandonyou? Leave you all alone, in that uncivilized galaxy?”
She bobbed her head, sniffing back more tears. “I’m not going to let you get away with it, though. No way. I’m not…”
Xane cut her off, an incredulous look on his face. “Sadie, I will gowithyou to Earth.”
She paused her rant. “…You’ll go with me?” She repeated blankly, swiping at her eyes.
“Of course.” His gaze stared into hers, intense and honest. “I will follow you anywhere that you wish to go. Gladly. How could you ever think otherwise?”
He wasn’t trying to dump her! She gave a soft cry of relief and threw herself into his arms. All four of them wrapped around her, holding her tight, and she was safe.
Xane bent his head to press his lips to her temple. “It is a ridiculous worry, my wife. For as long as you allow it, I will stay right by your side.” His voice was soft in her ear. “You shouldknowthis.”
“Idoknow it. That’s why I was upset. Because I was so surprised thatyoudidn’t know it.”
“I do know it, too.”
She gave a watery laugh and hugged him as hard as she could. “I’m sorry I threw that oxygen thingy at you. I freaked out. I just don’teverwant you to leave me.”