“You don’t have to say it back, Zash,” he said.
His thumbs wiped away the saline that tore at his heart.
“I never thought I would hear those words,” she said. “You slipped in under my radar. Put your own needs on hold to give me the time to get to know you; and now I can’t imagine my life without you.”
The admission was forced between lips that trembled, and her hands moved to cover his where they rested on the sides of her face.
“I love you, too, Phelan.”
The five words made his heart soar. His grin was so wide he thought it might split his lips.
Their heads moved towards each other to meet in the middle for a kiss that threatened to melt him into a puddle. He wanted to bury his fingers in her hair and take her again, but he knew they had more to discuss. The sooner it was behind them, the sooner they could get to the plans that brewed in his head.
“What are we going to do about the P. I. U.?” he asked, leaning back against the espresso-colored headboard.
Her body language echoed his as she sank back into the pillows propped up behind her. “I won’t lie to them.”
“I didn’t expect you to, Zash.”
“If you knew what he was doing all this time, why did you keep it to yourself?”
He released the breath he’d been holding since yesterday and shook his head. How could he explain this to her in a way she’d understand?
“You’ve seen how much we struggle to be accepted? What would the knowledge of a mad scientist who experimented on humans do to our shaky status among society?”
“That’s what it means to be a part of the human race, Phelan. Everyone has an opinion about you and not all of those will be good. Some people don’t like me simply because of the shade of my skin. We’re irrational beings.”
“I’ve come to realize that.”
“Just tell them everything you know, and leave out the part about how long you knew Tavel was on Earth.”
“Zash–”
“I’m your Queen now, right? That means I have to look out for us.”
“But your job–”
“Will have to be put on hold. Anyway, I’m pregnant I can’t work in the field anymore.”
“I never wanted this. I know you love your job.
“Baby, are you kidding me?” she asked. “All I’ve ever wanted to do was make a difference. I can do way more as the Queen of the Shar than I could as a P.I. U. agent. We can use this as a bridge between our people.”
“You think it would work?”
“In time, yes.”
“I have one small request,” he said as heat crept up into his face. “Let’s change Zasha Johnson to Zasha D’Shar.”
“Smooth, Mr. D’Shar,” she said. A smirk on her full lips as she watched him squirm.
“Zasha?”
“Yes!” A squeal left her lips as she flung herself into his arms and laughed. “I had you worried there for a minute.”
“I never know what to expect where you’re concerned. I’ve learned not to assume
.”