Page 26 of Star Mates

“Logan and I survived because the windows on our sleeping pods cracked,” she said. “I guess it let in air.”

A dull throb sliced through her head. Emmarie rubbed her temple to ease the sudden tension.

“It’s hard to believe that we’re the same species but grew up a universe away,” he murmured.

Tears welled up in her eyes and fell down her cheeks. Raiden scooted his chair back to go to her side. He turned her chair and kneeled in front of her, pulling her hands from her eyes.

“Emmarie,” he said softly, capturing her gaze. “It’s going to be okay.”

“There was so much I wanted to do,” she whispered in a broken voice. “I liked living in Claring but I wanted to see the world. I wanted to see the big cities. New York. London. Paris.”

“And now you’re in Sparta.”

The statement was so incongruous that it made her giggle. She slapped a hand over her mouth and gave a small hiccup.

“Thank you,” she told him.

He brushed a few strands of hair from her face and wiped the tears away. “You’re welcome, Miss Tice.”

He stood.

“Will you come back tomorrow?”

He nodded. “You better believe it,” he said with a wink. He caressed her cheek once more and left.

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