Page 84 of Cultivating Caden
When A’kosh stirred, Quade reached out, grabbed the back of A’kosh’s head, and held it tight against his arm. “You take what you need. You have to live.”
You both better live, or I’m going to be pissed. Just so you know, you’re never going alone again. Shit, you’ll be lucky if I let you out of the house after this.
Yes, dear. Now, Ten, what did you mean, it wasn’t supposed to be this soon?
A mental sigh.Remember when I told you that I was supposed to marry Michael? That’s A’kosh. He’s my half soul. He wasn’t supposed to be here for years, but like I said, things are changing so fast, it’s hard to keep track of alternate timelines.
A wave of nausea rolled through Quade as A’kosh drank deeply.Why didn’t you tell us?
Because this wasn’t supposed to happen. I wasn’t expecting to meet him until I was seventeen. When he showed up and I realized who he was… I panicked. But he recognized me from my scent, and after he did, he told me I was too young, but that he’d wait for me.
Caden’s voice rang through clearly.How old is he, Ten?
That’s the thing. In our years, he’s only eighteen. In his culture, he’s been considered fully grown since birth. He’s decided he’s going to protect me, as befits his station. It’s why he fought so hard to protect you.
And A’kosh rose in Quade’s estimation again. He glanced down and saw those big black eyes staring back at him. When the mandibles disengaged from his arm, Quade sighed in relief. He was surprised when the skin began to knit back together, quickly disappearing as though the hole was never there.
A’kosh scrabbled away, his eyes wide. “I… I am sorry.”
“Come back here.” Quade held out his arms, not surprised when A’kosh hesitated, then lurched forward to accept the embrace. “Are you okay?”
A’kosh nodded.
“I’m sorry you got hurt. Something is making me feel so weak.”
“Air not right. Many dead. Makes stomach hurt.”
Struggling to stand, Quade pitched forward and landed in a heap at A’kosh’s feet.
Dad?Ten sounded scared.
I’m all right.
Oh, bullshit. I can feel how sick you are from here. Come home, and we’ll figure out something else.Caden was pissed.
Yes, you should return to Ten. He needs you. I will do this alone.
Well, goddamn. I didn’t realize we were havinganotherparty in my head. Okay, first things first. Ten: I’m tired and my stomach hurts. Something is wrong with the air here. Caden, if I leave now, we lose any opportunity to save A’kosh’s people. And A’kosh, you’re a child. You shouldn’t have to do this alone.
A’kosh hissed. “Not child.”
Quade rubbed the top of the smooth shell, not shocked when a soft trill emanated from A’kosh. “Yes, you are. Among your people, you’re considered an adult, but you’re still just a kid. And Ten would never forgive me if I walked away from you when you needed him.”
“Ten would understand. He loves you.”
“And I love him. He and Caden are my whole world. But you’re part of him too, which means you’re family.”
A’kosh smiled, and Quade could feel his happiness. “Ten has my heart. It feels right. But he’s so young.”
“He’s not much younger than you.”
Shaking his head, A’kosh stared at Quade. “You not understand. I experienced love for my people, for queen. I make friends. I understand family. Ten does not.” He straightened his spine. “No, he not ready. He need his father first. My time will come later.”
And damned if Quade wasn’t seeing A’kosh as an adult now. His bearing, the way he cared about Ten—it all screamed maturity. Not that it mattered. Ten wasn’t even a teenager yet, and Quade agreed with Caden that they both wanted him to try and remain a child a little longer.
All right. We’re going to move out.
But—
