Page 86 of Zalis
That had not been his intention but he was pleased she thought so. Any praise from Gemma filled him with satisfaction. “Humor is your preferred mode of communication. I am learning.”
“Don’t go changing yourself for me,” she said.
“Tell me why.” He leaned forward, eager to hear the words.
“Because I love you.” She took a deep breath before continuing, “I keep rehearsing it in my mind. I know I said it before, but I want to get it perfect.”
“Your words are perfect.”
“Here goes.” Another deep breath. “I think I’ve loved you from the start, when I was tied to that chair and scared and you told me what you were doing. Every step of the way. You were patient and made me less afraid, made me feel safe. I latched onto that, and—” She held up a hand, gesturing for him to remain silent. “We’ve talked about that to death, so let’s not. I did what I did. I’m not sorry, because it brought me to you. So yeah, it took me a while to realize, but I do love you. This is real.”
Zalis took her hand. His skin burned with devotion. “I want to show you how your words affect me, but propriety?—”
“And the doctor would yell at us.”
“I love you, Gemma, with every molecule of my being. You are brave, clever, and patient. You are more than I deserve. All these years I have longed for a mate, for a love match, only to discover that I was waiting for you. All that I am is yours, entirely. Every breath belongs to you.”
Her smile was radiant with the glow of a hundred suns. Her hand twisted in his, pulling him forward.
With one hand planted on the mattress to prevent himself from toppling in, he loomed over her. “When you are released, when I have you alone, I will show you.”
ZALIS
Zalis did not spend the entire day in Medical. When Gemma finally slept, he debriefed with the Warlord and the engineers. The series of bomb explosions that shook the ground and partially collapsed the tunnel had been a leak in a gas line. The pipes had corroded and a spark caused an explosion.
Once she was released, they returned to their cabin. It was advised that Gemma remain on board for observation rather than return to Val Mori.
“You couldn’t get me back there for a million bucks,” she said.
“I will be away until my task is complete.”
“I know, but I didn’t really see much of you down there either. I’ll catch up on my shows. Don’t worry about me.”
“You enjoyed working in the kitchen,” he said.
“I did. I don’t think I want to do it every day, all day. I’ll figure it out.”
He had prepared their cabin before her release. The cooling unit was stocked with fresh food, particularly the fruit she enjoyed. Other necessary supplies had been procured. Hecycled the cleaning bots to scrub away any trace of dust and stale air. Personal items left on Val Mori had been returned and unpacked. He wanted the cabin to be welcoming and comfortable.
“Home sweet home,” Gemma said and immediately went to the small box of confections waiting on the small table by the sofa. With a sigh, she settled onto the cushions and sniffed the box. “Chocolate. Is this your handiwork?”
“I wanted to see you smile.”
“It’s working.” She opened the box, her fingers twitching over the confections before selecting a dark square. After a bite, she grinned, chocolate at the corner of her lips. “Want a piece?”
“Yes, I desire a taste.”
She held up the box. Zalis ignored it, taking his share of chocolate directly from her lips.
“Delicious,” he said. “There is another surprise for you.”
“Oh, you’re spoiling me.”
“I had little to do with this one.” Zalis fetched a small, flat box from the bedroom. “Your possessions from Earth have arrived.”
Gemma opened the box and gasped, covering her mouth with a hand. Tears were in her eyes. “The notebook.”
“You are weeping.” He was confused. He expected joy, not tears.
