Page 9 of The Outcast
“Wait.”
“Yes?” My stomach felt like a zoo with monkeys acting up like rebellious troublemakers. “Did you change your mind? Do you wanna come with me?” My tone was eager with hope.
“If I could, I would. What I wanted to say is that it's unlikely that we will ever see each other again, but for what it's worth I know that I will think about you many times in years to come.”
His words made me feel a little giddy. “I'm sure you'll cross my mind too. I haven't met many French people, but of all the people I have met you are the nicest one.”
“Are you sure about that? You have met Belle, haven't you? I think she's one of the kindest people I know.”
“You're right. I was thinking about the delegation members but forgot about Belle. Let me correct myself then: of all the French people I have met, you are my favorite.”
Banni gave a short laugh. “Thank you. I can admit that you're my favorite Northlander as well. And that says a lot because I have tremendous respect for Indiana and Aubri.”
We stood smiling at each other while the unfairness of it all played in the back of my mind. I’d never met a man I felt both attracted to and at peace with. How cruel that once I did, he would be a foreigner living in a country with closed borders.
“Sparrow.”
“Yes?”
Shifting his balance from one foot to the other, Banni asked, “Can I give you a goodbye hug? I know Indiana warned me not to touch any Northlander women, but it feels wrong to watch you leave without a goodbye hug.”
As soon as I took a step forward, Banni folded his arms around me. He smelled good and knowing that I would most likely never see him again, I put my arms around his waist and leaned my cheek against his chest.
“Sparrow, I want you to listen to me, okay?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“When you pick a man make sure he treats you well.”
I smiled and tightened my hold on Banni.
“Promise me that you’ll never let a man mistreat you.”
“You met my two brothers and father. Do you think they would let any man mistreat me?”
“They’d better not. You deserve someone special.”
“Thank you. I would tell you that you do too, but I know that you don’t believe in committed relationships.”
“It’s illegal here.”
I nodded to indicate that I knew, but the truth was that it still blew my mind that falling in love was considered a crime in Old Europe.
“Take care, Sparrow.” Banni eased his hold on me and kissed my forehead.
“I will. You be safe.”
He nodded and looked on when I climbed into the drone and took off with a last wave.
From the air I saw Banni walk across the field of wildflowers. His shoulders were sunken and I hated the thought that he might go to prison for spending time with us in the Northlands. In that moment, I felt grateful that I was born in a free country where I was allowed to love, marry, and travel. After my wonderful kiss last night, I was more determined than ever to find an Nman who made my heart pound as fast as it did when I was close to Banni.
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CHAPTER2
Price of Freedom
Banni
