Page 63 of Human Reclaimed
“You’re incredible,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair. “I’ve never felt this intensely before.”
I looked up at him, my fingers tracing his chest. “Neither have I,” I admitted, my voice soft. “You’re… different. In the best way.”
He smiled. “You make me feel so human,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “More than I ever have before.”
I kissed him then, slow and deep, pouring everything I felt into it. When we finally broke apart, I rested my head on his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing.
“We should rest,” I said, though I didn’t really want to. “You’re still healing.”
He chuckled, the sound warm. “I’m fine,” he said, his arms tightening around me. “But you’re right. We should sleep. It’s been a long day.”
I closed my eyes, feeling safe and content in his arms, and I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.
TWENTY-EIGHT
RUNE
I stepped outside my quarters for the first time in two days, squinting slightly as Planet Alpha’s suns bathed the settlement in golden morning light. Talia’s hand was warm in mine, her fingers laced through my own with a casual intimacy that still surprised me. After forty-eight hours mostly confined to my bed—though hardly resting as Olivia had prescribed—the humid jungle air felt invigorating against my skin.
“You look better,” Talia said, her blue eyes assessing me with that tactical precision I’d come to admire. “Though I can’t imagine why, considering how little actual sleep you got.” Her lips curved into a knowing smile that made heat pool in my abdomen.
“You weren’t exactly enforcing the doctor’s orders,” I replied, pulling her closer as we walked down the stone pathway toward the council chamber. The settlement hummed with morning activity around us—colonists tending the hydroponics gardens, my brigade running training drills at the perimeter under Tegan’s temporary command, and the few children laughing as they chased each other between buildings. Everything was back to normal after the pirate threat had been neutralized two days ago.
Talia’s laugh—a sound I was hearing more frequently now—sent a rush of satisfaction through me. “I tried! You’re just… persuasive.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I recall you being equally persuasive last night when you?—”
“Commander Rune!” A young female colonist approached, carrying a basket of blue-tinged fruits. “It’s good to see you recovered, sir. The whole colony’s been talking about how you and Captain Reed saved us from those pirates.”
I felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through me at her words—pride, perhaps, but mixed with something deeper. Before Talia, I would have simply nodded and continued on my way. Instead, I found myself asking, “How’s your mother, Yasmin? Did she deliver safely?”
The girl’s face lit up. “Yes, sir! A healthy boy. She named him Orion.”
“Another child for our future,” I said, the words feeling right in my mouth. “Give her my congratulations.”
As we continued walking, Talia bumped her shoulder against mine. “Look at you, making small talk. Being all… friendly.”
I frowned slightly. “Is that unusual?”
“The Rune who kidnapped me ten days ago wouldn’t have stopped to ask about a baby.” Her expression softened. “I like seeing this more relaxed side of you.”
We approached the circular council building, its stone and salvaged metal architecture gleaming in the sunlight. My thoughts turned to the upcoming meeting.
“What do you think Helix wants to discuss?” I asked, my thumb absently tracing patterns on Talia’s hand.
She shrugged, her blonde hair shining in the light. “Probably the truce violation. Admiral Voss clearly authorized Delia’s attack in direct breach of our agreement with CyberEvolution.”
“The body cam footage should be conclusive enough,” I agreed. “She told us Voss promised her bonus pay for capturing pregnant cyborgs and hybrid babies here.”
Talia’s expression hardened. “And he paid a fortune for my capture up front. Don’t forget I was on their shopping list, too.”
I stopped walking, turning to face her. The two guards stationed at the council chamber entrance pretended not to watch us. “That won’t happen ever again,” I said, my voice dropping to the low register that always made her pupils dilate. “I’ll personally burn any ship that tries to take you from Planet Alpha.”
Her eyes widened at the intensity in my tone. “Easy there, Commander. I’m not going anywhere. Remember?” She reached up, her fingers brushing my jaw. “I’ve made my choice. I’m staying with you.”
Those four words—I’m staying with you—ignited something fierce and protective inside me. I leaned down, claiming her mouth in a kiss that was probably inappropriate for a public pathway, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. When we pulled apart, both slightly breathless, I rested my forehead against hers.
“I’ve never felt this intensely about anyone,” I admitted quietly. “It’s… disorienting.”
