Page 27 of Craving Stardust

I put Katie down, and she blinked up at me forlornly.

I gripped the edge of the large resting chair, my knuckles turning pale. How long before they traced the crash site to Iris's home? I had to leave as soon as possible. If I was gone when they arrived, they may leave her alone. I’d make sure I left no evidence I’d been here behind.

I didn’t care about myself, but I couldn’t risk her. She was in danger as long as I remained with her.

“We’ve got to get my ship ready,” I said.

She nodded, and her eyes were filled with enough sorrow to lay waste to my very soul. How could I leave my mate now that I’d found her and loved her? She was the galaxies and stars to me, my sole reason for being.

But it wasn’t safe for me to remain here with her, and I’d never do anything that would bring harm to this beautiful person.

Our fates were sealed long before we met.

It was useless trying to fight our endless parting.

ELEVEN

Iris

Heavy rain pelted the windows, a storm casting eerie shadows in the dimly lit room. Lordek paced back and forth, his alien features tense with worry. He stopped suddenly, turning to face me, his dark, probing eyes meeting mine.

“I’m sorry. I wish I could stay longer.” His voice came out gruff.

Dismay coursed through me. I wanted to cling, but holding him back would only make the situation more tenuous than it already was. He should’ve left as soon as he could. We’d stolen a short time together when we should’ve been working on his ship to get it ready for him to depart.

“My ship isn’t ready. I should’ve made the repairs.” Tension clouded his voice. “But I have no regrets. None at all.” He cupped my face and gently kissed me. “Not one. I wouldn’t trade anything for the chance to be with you, Iris. I adore you and I’ll love you forever. But I have to leave. My presence has already endangered you." Stepping away from me, he raked both hands across the top of his head. “I was a fool not to start working on it immediately but...”

He was injured. And we’d wanted to be together. Valid reasons when we believed they wouldn’t find him.

Now their noose was tightening around us both.

Stark, cold fear bolted through me. Playing games and talking—even making love—had put him in greater danger. I wasn’t worried about me. I’d find a way to survive. What could they do to me? I’d scream and go to the press. They couldn’t lock me up forever.

“I’ll help you as much as I can.” It hurt to think of him leaving, but we couldn't deny the danger lurking beyond my doorstep. It was stomping toward us already; flying overhead. It was a wonder the government hadn’t found him already. “We'll do it as quickly as possible. Then you can...” I couldn’t name it. I didn’t need to. The words hung in the air between us.

Soon, we’d have to say goodbye.

"Thank you, Iris," he murmured, stepping closer again. He stroked my hair, rubbing it between his fingers, his gaze searching mine. “I don’t want to leave you.”

“I don’t want you to go.”

He kissed me gently, then held me. It was all I could do not to cry, but I didn’t want his last memory to be of me sobbing. I had to remain strong or I wouldn’t be able to tell him goodbye.

Before the sun had started to warm up the day, we left Katie inside and made our way toward the barn, hovering close to the house and shed, studying the world around us while the rain continued to pour down. Clouds chased us across the sky, and the visibility was limited, but just because we couldn’t see anyone, that didn’t mean scopes weren’t trained on us.

The feel of watchers made my skin crawl.

We crept into the barn and secured the door. I flicked the wall switch, bathing the big silver vehicle with dim light.

As I surveyed the damage to the ship, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. It would be a monumental task to repair it, and we didn’t have much time. But Lordek seemed undeterred, opening a large compartment on the side and pulling out parts the computer had generated.

“My grandfather used to restore cars in this barn,” I said, pointing to the winch hanging from the rafters overhead. “We can lift the ship if we need to reach the underside.” I waved to the long bench mounted on the left wall. “And you’ll find all sorts of tools over there.”

He nodded slowly. “Perfect.” He strode over and pawed through the tools, selecting some.

My heart thudded in my chest. Sadness kept creeping in and stealing my breath. Each second I was with him was one less I’d have him in my life.

When I loaded the ship onto my cart in the dark, I didn’t bother to check it out. I was too worried about Lordek to do more than make sure it was well hidden.

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