Page 30 of Human Reclaimed
I found my white bra on the floor next to the bed and reached for it, putting it on quickly. I slipped on Rune’s shirt next and was immediately enveloped in his scent—a mix of something clean and uniquely him. It went nearly to my knees. “Does this colony have a shopping district?”
“We have fabrication units. Olivia can help you program something that fits.”
As he dressed in his tactical pants and a fresh black T-shirt that stretched across his broad shoulders, I couldn’t help but wonder about the strangeness of my situation. Two days ago, I was planning a quiet evening at home with Christmas just a week away. Now I was on a jungle planet, wearing my captor’s shirt after a night of mind-blowing sex, and somehow not completely hating it.
“What are you thinking?” Rune asked, buckling his belt.
“That I should be furious with you,” I answered honestly. “But instead, I’m… confused. About everything I’m feeling.”
He crossed to me in two long strides and bent down, cupping my face in his large hands. “I’m confused, too. This wasn’t part of the mission.”
“What does this mean for us?” I asked, gazing into his eyes.
Rune’s thumbs brushed across my cheekbones, his touch gentle. “I’m not entirely sure,” he admitted, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through me. “But I know last night was… special.” A big smile spread across his face. “I’m happy it happened.”
My heart fluttered traitorously. This man had kidnapped me, yet here I was, melting at his touch. “It definitely wasn’t part of the mission, but I’m not upset it happened, either,” I admitted, surprised by my own honesty. “It somehow felt right.”
His eyes darkened, and for a moment I thought he might kiss me again. Instead, he reluctantly stood up, giving me space to move.
I slipped off the bed, feeling his eyes trace my movements as I gathered my scattered clothing from his floor. The white underwear went on first, followed by my beige tactical pants. The intimacy of getting dressed while he watched sent heat rushing to my cheeks.
“Your shirt is definitely ruined,” he said, nodding toward the charred remains of my white T-shirt on his floor.
“Hopefully I don’t get too many questioning looks wearing yours,” I replied, pulling on my socks and combat boots.
Rune soon led me through the colony, his oversized shirt billowing around my smaller frame. The humid air carried unfamiliar sweet scents that reminded me of cinnamon and something wild I couldn’t name. Colonists nodded at Rune respectfully as we passed, their curious glances at me noticeably less than before.
The medical bay’s doors slid open with a whisper as we approached. Inside, the curved corridors were bathed in warm, responsive lighting that adjusted to our presence.
“Olivia,” Rune called as we entered the main area. The petite woman with wavy brown hair looked up from a datapad, her green eyes lighting with recognition.
“Talia needs a new shirt,” he explained, his hand resting casually on my lower back. “Can you help her use the fabrication units? Standard security uniform—black T-shirt, fitted. She’s one of us now.”
Something warm bloomed in my chest at his words. One of them? A strange sense of belonging washed over me.
“I’ll be down the hall with Aeon,” Rune said, his fingers brushing mine briefly. “Take your time.”
Once he’d left, Olivia’s professional smile transformed into something more genuine. “So, you and Rune?”
“Rune mentioned you were kidnapped six months ago,” I said, bypassing her comment. “Said they needed your expertise with the pregnant cyborgs and deliveries.”
Olivia nodded, leading me toward a room with sleek equipment. “That’s correct. Aeon grabbed me outside my home on Earth.” She laughed softly. “I was furious for weeks. Tried to escape once.”
“What changed?” I asked, watching as she programmed the fabrication unit.
Her expression softened. “I got to know them—their struggles, their dreams. And I got to know Aeon.” A blush colored her cheeks. “This place became home. Aeon became…” She paused. “My soul mate, as absurd as that sounds.”
“It doesn’t sound absurd,” I admitted, thinking of Rune’s piercing eyes and his surprising gentleness. “I’m feeling things for Rune I can’t explain. Like there’s this deep connection that makes no logical sense. We were…” I hesitated. “Intimate last night. And it was the best experience of my life.”
Olivia gave me a knowing look. “Sounds exactly like what happened between me and Aeon.”
“And now you’re married,” I said.
Her blush deepened. “It just felt completely right. Can’t be explained with logic, I guess.” She handed me the newly fabricated black T-shirt. “I found my true purpose here, helping build this peaceful colony where cyborgs can live free.”
I pulled off Rune’s shirt and slipped on my new one, which fit perfectly. “I think I’m beginning to understand. I feel this strange pull to help protect them, too.”
“Looks like you belong in that uniform,” she said with a smile.
