Page 10 of Neverwylde 6
Kelen made an exasperated sound. She started to object to the ridiculousness of the accusation, when she realized the Seneecians had every right to condemn her and her fellow shipmates for holding the man prisoner.
“So it was okay for you and your men to attack him and hold him accountable, but not for us.”
Kyber slowly nodded.
“That’s crazy. So what does that have to do with me remaining on Seneecia with you? I’m not following you.”
“Being my Confirmed, you are entitled to special dispensation. You will not be held under guard, and you will not be confined as you are now.”
There was something he wasn’t telling her, and she had a pretty good idea what it was. “But I’ll still be considered the enemy, won’t I? I won’t be kept under guard by one ofthem,because that’ll beyourjob, won’t it? I’ll still have to serve out my sentence, but I’ll have to do it under your protection.”
That wall was back. His face was like stone.
“Wait. What happened to the option that you return to Earth withme? Say I’m charged, along with the rest of us, and my world has me extradited back. Why couldn’t you come with me?”
He started to shake his head, but she pressed the issue.
“So, let me get this straight. What you’re suggesting is that I either go to live on Seneecia with you, or return to Earth to live without you? That’s it? And what will I do if I choose to remain on Seneecia? You’re planning to go back into space, aren’t you?”
“That is my desire, yes.”
“What aboutmydesire? The space military is as important to me as it is for you. But you know as well as I do that females are not allowed to serve in the Seneecian military fleet. What am I supposed to do? Twiddle my thumbs while I sit at home and wait for you to return?”
He bowed his head again. From the slump in his shoulders, it appeared he’d gotten the answer he was seeking. And it wasn’t the one he’d hoped for.
“Then…our future is clear. It is to be without each other.” The solemn sadness in his voice sparked fear in her.
“Kyber, no.”
He moved away from her. His movements, his demeanor, everything about him signaled he was distancing himself from her. Kelen panicked and reached for him, but he avoided her grasp.
“Kyber,no!”
He got to his feet, stumbling slightly as he managed to stay upright, his eyes averted. “It is clear we are at an impasse. I would never be welcomed into your space corps any more than you would be commissioned in mine. You could live on my world, but I cannot see how I could survive on yours.”
“Wh-what are you saying?” She had to ask, but she knew she didn’t want to know. She couldn’t bear to hear him say the words. To tell her it was over between them. “Kyber, don’t tell me you don’t love me anymore. Please, for God’s sake, don’t tell me you no longer love me!”
He gave a deep sigh as he turned his back to her, pausing in front of the door. “That is the problem, Kelen. I still do…and always will.”
Before she could respond, the portal opened and he slipped outside, leaving her alone once more.
