Squeezing my eyes closed, I listen for Theron and Hadrian. My body relaxes when I hear their footsteps on the ramp coming toward the ship. I’ll feel better once we get going.
The door opens and closes and already I can feel my muscles loosening. Soon, they’ll be starting the ship, performing their checks, setting the course, and I won’t have to feel so terrible about leaving my little family behind. Soon, there won’t be any second-guessing my choices because we’ll be too far away for me to take it back. So what if it feels like my heart has been ripped from my chest? So what if I ache for my two freaks and our sweet little baby?
“You want to know something?” a voice says, like it’s ripped straight from my dreams.
My eyes pop open and Sayer is standing there, leaning against the open doorway of the ship. All I can do is gape at him.
“A king can’t be a king without his queen.”
“I—what—how did you—”
Jareth follows close behind and seeing them after time apart is like drinking a tall, cool glass of water after being stranded in a desert. “We’ve decided we’re not going to let our queen leave us after all.”
Before I can argue, two giant morts—my morts—are dragging me out of the Mayvina and back into the facility. It’s hard to resist because they’re so strong. Or maybe because I’m not fighting it. They take me through the decontamination bay where they quickly remove our gear. I sputter and scoff, but I can’t find the words to make them stop. I don’t want them to stop. Once we’re no longer in our suits, they haul me out into the corridor.
“You guys, I have—”
“No more talking,” Sayer interrupts as Jareth disappears around the corner.
The moment Jareth returns, he brings my whole heart with him.
Now strapped to his chest is our beautiful sleeping daughter and she looks so sweet and so content, I want to explode with a myriad of emotions. My breasts leak and soak my clothing as I yearn to feed her myself.
Sayer pulls me into his strong arms and buries his face in my hair. “No more logic. No more reasoning. You belong with us. We’ve said it a thousand times.”
Jareth joins him and wraps his arms around us both, squishing Sareth against my side. She hums in her sleep as though she recognizes that I’m near. “We’ll say it a thousand more until you believe us.”
I can’t resist trying once more. “But I have to help.”
“You’ve done enough.” Molly appears in the doorway. “Theron and Hadrian are strong, capable morts. They’ll find my daughter and Aria’s sister. You’re staying here.”
“But I have to make this right.”
“Oh, little alien,” Sayer says, soothing a hand over my hair. “This was never about making things right. Molly would have forgiven you in a few days. She’s too soft-hearted to hold a grudge and she knows you’re sorry. This was because you were afraid.”
I simply can’t speak, so Sayer continues.
“You’ve been alone your whole life. You’ve only had yourself to rely on. It’s only natural you’d be scared of relying on anyone else…and here we’re asking you to trust two people instead of one.”
“We thought you’d come to your senses solars ago, but clearly our alien is stubborn.”
“Like her daughter,” Sayer says affectionately.
“But I promised I would go,” I say, though my voice lacks conviction.
“We want you to stay and we’re not taking no for an answer. You’re ours and we’re not letting you leave.”
Molly beams at us, though her eyes are noticeably misty with tears. “There’s no use arguing. Morts are pretty stubborn themselves. You’ve done enough. Willow will be coming home and that’s all that matters to me.”
A glint of hope sparks inside of me. Could I keep this happiness I’d found with my two morts? “Are you sure?” I whisper, afraid speaking too loudly will make her take it back.
“I never held you responsible. I was just angry and frustrated. I know you, the real you, and your willingness to right your wrongs is enough for me. I don’t want to steal your family away the way mine was stolen. I won’t take your daughter away and I won’t let you punish yourself—and her—by leaving. You belong here, with us, with them, and with her. Stay.”
“Not that you have a choice,” Sayer says firmly. “You’re my mate as much as Jareth.”
“And mine as well.”
“These solars without you have been the happiest and saddest of our lives. You gave us Sareth, but we lost you. Please don’t make us lose you again.”
I let them pull me into another embrace. Sayer kisses me once, hard and fast. Then Jareth spins me to him and his forked tongue conveys promises about what they both have planned for me when we’re alone.