Page 26 of Kazzon's Human Bride
She shrugged and a lone tear trickled down her face. He wiped it away and then took the suitcase from her hand. He set it next to him and walked her further into the entryway, though he didn’t shut the door.
“Tell me what has saddened you, little human.”
“My-my parents both went to work today,” she said. “After I told them that I was your bride now and I would be leaving Earth either today or tomorrow, theystillwent to work. And my brother went to school too. All three of them left rather than spend the day with me.”
Kazzon gathered Caylee close and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly to him as he caressed her back. She sniffled and shuddered against him.
“I feel so stupid. I thought they’d want to spend the day with me, but now I’m not sure they’ll even miss me.”
“Did you stay here all day by yourself? Or did you get to visit with any of your friends?”
“I went to my house—well, Julie’s house—and packed my belongings and brought them back here. Then I said goodbye to my friends at the bakery and a few other friends who live nearby.” She pulled from his embrace and lifted her chin, a look of resolve falling over her. “I’m all finished. I’d prefer to stay on your ship for the remainder of your time in New Leesburg, if that is all right with you,Xerr.”
“I’ve finished negotiations with the Leaders,” he said. “They’ve agreed to the new terms of the treaty.”
“Good.” The look of determination in her blue eyes sharpened. “I’m ready to leave now.”
“Are you certain? Would you like a bit more time to reconsider, little human?” Despite his impatience to leave Earth, he didn’t want her to regret a hasty departure. “I am willing to give you another day if you would like, even a few more days.” Technically, he could remain here as long as he liked. Given the power his people held over all of Earth, it wasn’t as though the Leaders or Enforcers of New Leesburg could kick him out.
“I’m absolutely certain,” Caylee said, a tremor in her voice. “Staying longer would be painful.” No black mist appeared around her face. She spoke the truth, and the truth made his heart ache for her. He knew all too well the heavy emotional toll a family dispute or even estrangement could take, but he also knew it was impossible to force her parents and brother to treat her differently, to give her the affection and the proper goodbye she craved.
“Very well. We can return to my ship and depart Earth immediately, if that is your wish.” He picked up the two smaller bags and tossed them over his shoulder, then picked up her suitcase and tucked it under the same arm. He wrapped his free arm around his bride and guided her out of the house.
She paused on the walkway and looked over her shoulder. He stopped with her and shot her an inquisitive look. Had she changed her mind?
“Don’t you need to confiscate the equipment my brother used to create the fake palm print?”
“A Tarrkuan security team will visit in a few days to seize the equipment.”
Alarm filled her eyes. “That sounds ominous. You’re still sure he won’t be charged with any crime or punished in any way?”
It stunned him that she was being so protective of the brother who hadn’t even wanted to visit with her during her last day on Earth. She possessed a good heart, though he wished her family members would show her more care.
“I am certain no action will be taken against Wilson,” Kazzon said confidently. “I had planned to collect the equipment myself, however one of my superiors decided it would be better to use a security team who specializes in confiscating sensitive materials. They will be able to better conduct an investigation into how the palm print tricked our sensors so that we can prevent such an occurrence again. I suspect further security measures will be taken surrounding the retrieval of Tarrkuan brides from Earth. Blood tests will likely be required to verify a bride’s identity in the future.”
She frowned but nodded her acquiescence. “I suppose I understand that, though I feel terribly guilty that Tarrkuan brides will be further poked and prodded all because of me.”
“It is my opinion that our guards should’ve been conducting such blood tests to verify the identities of Tarrkuan brides long ago. You need not feel guilty, little human. Now, come, I would like to return to my ship before the streets become more crowded.”
School was still in session and most businesses hadn’t closed yet for the day, so there were few people walking the streets. But those who were out kept staring at Kazzon and Caylee, likely because he had a possessive arm around her, not to mention the questions the suitcases he was holding probably generated. He realized the sight of a Tarrkuan-human couple walking around a dome-city was probably unusual, but he quickened his pace and urged Caylee to walk faster.
He wanted her back on his ship, in his quarters, away from this dome-city and the family who had brought her pain. And yes, he wanted her alone, all to himself.
They hadn’t been mated for a full day yet, but already she was growing on him.
Chapter 19
Stars streakedby in a constant blur of white lines set against the black vastness of space. The ship had just jumped to hyperdrive and the floor hummed faintly beneath Caylee’s feet.
How strange that she felt more relief than wariness right now. While she’d been aware of a growing chasm between herself and her family—not just with her parents, but her brother, too—she hadn’t expected such an indifferent reaction to the news of her leaving.
She’d thought they would cry and spend every second of her last day on Earth with her, and she’d also thought they would be angry with Kazzon and perhaps have some harsh words for him.
But oh how she’d been wrong.
Maybe she’d been deluding herself this whole time.
They’d hugged her goodbye before leaving for work and school, but their hugs had felt awkward and stiff. She wished she could pinpoint a reason, a precise event that had occurred to cause this growing distance, but she honestly couldn’t find one.
