Page 42 of Touch the Stars
He blinked as though startled, then turned his head slightly and sniffed his shoulder near his armpit.
A small giggle bubbled out before she could stop it.“No, no, no.Notyou.I mean this situation.Something’s sus.”
“Sus?”
“Suspicious.”
“Ah, yes.”He jerked his chin forward, then leaned sideways to place the bowl with the others.“I agree.The right thing to do is to return to Ghara and seek the counsel of the emperor and Ancient Ones.Even so, I find myself reluctant to take you there.”
“But if you don’t, then your family will be executed.”And you, too.
The lines bracketing his mouth deepened.“And if I do, I do not trust that the emperor will not attempt to kill you again.It is a quandary.”
“Well, I’ve got news for you.He didn’t seem all that broken up when he thoughtI’dkilled you.You know what he told me?He said that I’d made it easier for him.I’m pretty sure he wants you dead, too, Baatar.”
He stared at her, but his face was a mask.No hint of what he might be thinking showed.
So, not teaching this one how to play poker.
She leaned forward.“How ’bout we go to Undet, grab your family, and run?It’s a big galaxy.There’s gotta be someplace to hide.”
“Is that what you wish, my Kaitlyn?To spend the rest of your life hiding?”
She let her shoulders slump.“Not really.”
“We cannot make it to Undet before the grand emperor’s soldiers, anyway.”
“Then…we have to go to Ghara and take our chances.”She nibbled on her lower lip.“What if Rocky the Asshole tries to kill me again when we get there?Do you think the Ancient Ones would help stop him?”
Baatar shook his head, and the sapphire-blue stone of his translator glinted through the strands of his dark hair.“Probably.It is in their best interest to keep the heir alive.”
Not completely reassuring, but better than a hard no.
“Here’s an idea.”She reached out and took his hand between hers.“You drop me off on Ghara, then take the pardon to your family so that they’re safe.”
Andnowthe little voice inside her head decided to screamStupid!Stupid!Stupid!But if his family died because she didn’t at least try…she couldn’t live with that.So, what other choice did they have?
“No.This is…I cannot put you at risk.”
“Life’s a risk, Baatar.And, in theory, Rocky’d be an idiot to try anything with the Ancient Ones watching, so I’ll be fine.”For a while, at least.She gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile.“One way or another, I’m going to find a way out of this empress gig, I swear.Once I do, I’ll need you to come back and get me.”
“Kaitlyn…”
She blew out a resigned sigh.“Well, do you have a better idea?”
His blue gaze was heartbreakingly bleak.“I do not.”
“Then…?”
He looked down at their joined hands.God, this must be killing him inside.
Finally, he jutted his chin out in agreement.“I still do not like this plan.”
“It’ll be okay, my warrior.”It had to be.
She pulled him down until they lay side by side on the bed with his head cradled against her breast as she stroked his dark hair.“One more thing.”
“Anything, my Kaitlyn.”
