Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“Draken, I need to be honest with you. I still hate this system that subjects my people to these brutalities but I see the good in you and I know you want to make a positive change in your Sector for everyone.”
“I do. But it’s going to take some time. I have a long road ahead of me to undo the damage Braeden has done.”
“Then let me stay by your side. There’s no reason for you to send me back to Sector 2. You’re the Leader and I know you’ll protect me.”
“Jamie, I’d lay down my life for you, I wouldn’t let anyone harm you. But my cousin has already spread the word to the governors in this sector that I’m harboring someone marked for execution.”
“So?”
“So, they could rally together and petition for me to follow protocol. As Sector Leader I can protect in the fortress, but you’d never be able to leave. When I brought you here, it was never my intention to keep you tethered to the fortress. sector 10 has its problems and yes, because of the harsh climate, many homo sapiens are transferred here to perform hard labor for their punishments. But outside of the unflattering reputation we have, this is also a very beautiful land. I want you to be free to explore it and love it as I do. I want to show you every aspect of it.”
Again my heart flutters at his thoughtfulness. “I’d like to see it too but if it means staying by your side, I don’t mind not leaving the fortress.”
“You don’t mean that Jamie. Besides, I’m sure your family would miss you.”
At the mention of my family, shame engulfs me. I wasn’t kind to them when I’d been in the Sector 2 manor. “They probably don’t want to see me. Especially after the way I acted.”
“I know with absolute certainty that isn’t true. Magnus told me how much they miss you. I think it’s a good idea for you to visit them while I sort things out. You can be there for the arrival of her baby.”
I touch my stomach. “What about our baby?” I demand with tears my eyes. Despite his declaration of love for me, it seems he still wants to send me away.
“I’m doing this for you and our baby. I don’t want him or her to be born beneath this stigma that we both carry. Besides, until I root out all of Braeden’s loyalists from the fortress, I’m not 100 percent comfortable with you being here. You should always be safe in your home. I’m still reeling over Willa’s betrayal. It seems she was loyal to me until very recently. I suppose my cousin made a convincing argument for her to switch sides. And because of that I need to be careful in my investigation.”
“But I’ll have Ayla. She helped me. I know she’s loyal to you.”
He nods. “That’s true. I trust her. But I have to wade through 100s of staff files, the administrators, the kitchen staff, all the Enforcers, the maids and even the cleaners.”
“What about your personal attendant Johra?”
Draken releases a heavy sigh. “He’s recovering. Braeden’s men attacked him and nearly killed him along with a bunch of other staff who didn’t plead loyalty to him. They even killed my maid Anora. Others were thrown in holding cells. I’m still accessing he extent of all the damage he wrought.”
He takes both of my hands in his. “I promise you I’ll fix this and bring you back to me.”
A tear slides down my face. “How long?
“From what you’ve told me about the incident you experienced, it was self-defense. If you’re temporarily transferred back to Sector 2 Magnus can have those findings entered into the Registry and have that flag removed. There are no such protocols in this Sector 10. I don’t foresee you being there for longer than a month, five weeks at the most.”
My heart sinks. I don’t want to leave him when he’s going through so much but I understand he has to get things sorted out. Besides, I know had another life to think about.
Our gazes collide and I reach out to cup his bearded cheek in my palm. “Draken…I believe in you. But don’t make me wait too long.”
His beautiful smile returns. “If you believe in nothing else, believe my love for you. I’ll always come for you Jamie and when you’re back with me, I’m never going to let you go again.”
A tear glides down my face. “I’ll make sure you keep that promise.”
And with that, he leans over and presses his lips against mine.
My heart sings. No longer did I need to call upon the numb that helped me survive my past ordeal because now I have something even better.
I have love.
Epilogue
JAMIE
“Are you sure I can hold him? He’s so tiny. I thought most superious babies were born 20 pounds.” I smile as I look at the tiny cutie, Noah is cuddling.