Page 106 of Exiles on Earth
But Belora slaps him across the back of the head before coming to stand in front of my door.
“Cuffs,” he grunts.
I push my wrists out of the hole in the door, and he passes the keystone over them. Of course, they had it this whole time, but they didn’t trust me. The manacles spring open and clatter to Imaya’s Milagrove wood floor.
Belora opens the door, and I step out.
“But this isn’t what Imaya wants!” Frion protests. “He’s throwing away her love!”
“Do you want me gone or not?” I retort, voice ringing down the smooth corridor. “My real mate is out there, and she publicly said she wants to see me. That she… she loves me.” The enormity of it sends me swaying. I catch myself on the wall. “Please thank Imaya for saving my life, but I have to go now.”
Frion and Ysura stare at me. “Perhaps he’s unraveled faster than we thought,” Frion mutters.
Before I can argue further, Belora says, “He’s not.”
“But what about Imaya?” Ysura insists.
“She’ll be happy with this choice, trust me,” Belora says, with the long term ease of someone secure in their mate bond.
He looms down to my level, scrutinizing my features. “I watched the same broadcast. I saw that little human give her speech, saw the sincerity in her face. A woman like that is a rare find, Tuber, and she’s in love with you. Now take her with both hands and make her the happiest female alive.”
My hearts swell. “I intend to. And, truly, my thanks for rescuing me when I needed it. I can see your family has a strong bond, in how protective you are, and how much you understand your mate and her needs. I wish you well.”
I move toward the door, but Belora stops me. “I’ll take you to Sanctuary Square, where that broadcast was, but if she’s leaving today, she’ll be near the starfield by now. There’s mandatory scanning on the perimeter, and if you get scanned, you’ll be caught by the Parthiastocks. There’s an active warrant against you for what you said about the Prif.”
I nod, taking in the mission parameters. “Take me as far as you can, I’ll do the rest. And thank you.”
Belora leads me towards the garage, but then the fast link beeps and my hearts stutter as Imaya exits from the shuttle in a hurry.
“I didn’t want him to go!” Ysura says, running to her side. “I tried to stop them, but Belora said you wouldn’t mind.”
I fall to my knees, staring at the white robes pooling at her feet. I don’t have time to waste. Summoning everything El-len ever told me about choice and speaking up, I force the words past my throat. “Imaya, I have to go. I need to find El-len, she’s my mate, and she’s leaving today. Perhaps right now. I… I don’t want to stay, and you have three perfect mates here, all of whom adore you and know your wants and needs in a way I hope to accomplish myself for my partner. Please don’t be angry with them.”
I wait in terror, but I know I can’t stay. Not anymore.
She touches the top of my head, and I tip my face up to meet her eyes.
The female smiles. “They do know my mind. I saw the broadcast too, and I came straight here. Seems like you impressed her, clone. Well done. Go to her now.”
“Thank you.” I stagger to my feet, my limbs feeling far away at the praise from the female. Having others hear mymate declare her love for me makes this dream all the more real.
Belora beckons me to hurry after him, pressing a kiss to Imaya’s forehead as he passes, and I leave the female in the capable arms of her other mates.
Now all I need to do is race El-len to the starfield, before it’s too late and I lose her forever.
THIRTY-FIVE
ELLEN
“There! Another group of Gerverstocks.”
My flying taxi driver, a tall thin Arture double, dutifully guides the vehicle into a graceful landing. I step out into the sweltering heat, Floss and Rex staying sensibly in the car, panting hard. Sweat instantly beads on my face and shoulders, but I push through to run to the Gerverstocks unloading crates of blue-leafed plants from their ship.
“Hi,” I say, waving as I get close.
They spin around, dropping the containers in surprise. As one, they fall to their knees and utter something in Olorian. I have to speak first, so their nanitey things will get up to speed.
I’ve done this routine more than a few times by now.
