Page 47 of Dark Space

‘It’s an Earth custom,’ I muttered ungraciously.

‘Then you will have dinner with me.’

‘Withjustyou?’ I looked across at my black-haired Roth, disappointment mixing itself into the churn of emotions in my stomach.

The Prince gave a short, sharp nod.

‘Fine,’ I said. ‘I will have dinner with you. But I am stillconsidering. It doesn’t mean anything.’

His face brightened as he smiled. It was close-lipped, as if he was trying to stop himself. ‘I will keep that in mind.’

‘Justpleasedon’t make me eat the chicken again.’

He laughed – a surprised, deep sound that had my core clenching. ‘No chicken,’ he agreed, his eyes darting to Tall, Dark, and Looming.

‘So you’ll let Willow go?’

My Prince was silent. He was silent for so long that I started to sweat. In the end, though, he gave a silent nod and turned his back, disappearing out of sight.

‘Come now,’ my black-haired Roth said to Willow.

‘Now?’ I repeated, alarmed.

Willow gave me a reassuring smile. ‘I’m going to leave more antibiotics and painkillers here, and the vitamins, and the food pouches, and a thermometer. Vesper, if she gets hotter thanthirty-eight Earth degrees Celsius, give her the painkillers first, then another antibiotic shot. Drink more fluids than you think you need, and keep up the vitamins. Wash the bite clean twice each day with water or an antibacterial spore wash – a gentle spore wash, not an industrial one. Any questions?’

I shook my head. ‘Thank you, Willow.’

‘You’re welcome.’ He turned and rifled through his bag, making what seemed like an unnecessary amount of noise, scraping packets against packets and rustling wrappers. ‘Do you need help, Anna?’ he whispered, the words obscured by the noise he was making.

Oh.

My heart ached, touched that he cared enough to ask.Say yes, part of me insisted.Tell him you want to go back home.Tell him you want to go back to Earth and forget any of this ever happened.

I glanced at my Roth, and then at Vesper, and I knew that voice was a liar. I might not have chosen to be here, but I didn’t want to leave. Not yet.

And I’dneverforget it. Any of it.

Vesper gave me a small smile, his eyes flaring gold, like he knew what I was thinking.

If I never saw that smile again, my heart would break.

And if Willow brought his people back to the ship to get me out, then my black-haired Roth and my Prince would be in danger, and Vesper would be taken into someone else’s custody.

‘No,’ I whispered. ‘No. Not if it means they could get hurt. I’ll work something out.’

‘I’ll flag the ship regardless.’ Willow handed me packets of the odd food he’d brought. ‘I’ll be thinking of you.’

‘I wish I could see you again,’ I said, mustering a smile. ‘I’d like to meet your family.’

Willow smiled back, showing his sharp canine teeth. ‘Stranger things have happened. Stay well, Anna.’ He nodded at Vesper. ‘Starling. I’ll forget I ever saw you.’

‘That would be ever so kind,’ Vesper said. ‘But if you happen to meet another starling who looks quite like this, please do feel free to let my twin know that I’d appreciate a rescue at their earliest convenience.’

‘I’ll keep that in mind.’ Willow stood and walked out, giving me one last smile.

The glass blacked, and he was gone.

I sighed. ‘I think I just did something incredibly stupid.’