Page 113 of Exiles on Earth

Slowly, he sits up and wraps his arms around my waist, head in my lap. “El-len,” he croaks.

Tears tumble down my cheeks, but I can’t fall apart now. He needs me.

I rub his back and lift my face to confront the Parthiastocks. “He’s coming with me, okay? You want him exiled, he’ll be exiled on Earth.”

Gaze zipping from me to Ilia, one of them slides out a set of blue manacles from his shorts pocket.

“Ah!” I point accusingly at him. “None of that, no arrests. He’s with me, do you understand?”

“Female, speak more and our nanites will learn,” one explains, glaring at Ilia. “He’s a criminal. Dangerous. He’ll be arrested and euthanized at the center.”

“No. Not happening.” I curl over him protectively, tryingnot to lean too much on him. Each breath feels hard won, like he’s still fighting. Another minute or two later, and… I shudder. I was so close to losing him.

His arms tighten around me, as if he’s holding me together, and he slowly sits upright. I support him, and his shaking hands take mine with renewed strength, clutching me tight.

His blue eyes fill with tears. “El-len, thank you for saving me. But they have to arrest me. They won’t consider any other alternatives.”

I shake my head, tears dripping down my face. “No, you’re coming with me! If… if you want to.” Shit, he’d prefer Earth to death, right? I just won’t order him to love me.

The Parthiastock who nearly killed him grabs his arm. “He’s coming with us, female.”

“No, I… I…” I can’t lose him now!

Ilia lets me go as the Parthiastock yanks him to his feet, but his shining eyes stay locked on me. His chest heaves as he takes big breaths, holding back sobs.

I scramble up after him. What can I say? What can I do?

“I choose him!” I declare. “He was in the Mating Games, he was a candidate. I choose him. He’s mine. He’s my mate.”

Ilia’s eyes go wide, the breath catching in his poor throat. And then, like the sun breaking through a storm, his face splits into a smile—dazzling, disbelieving, radiant.

All of the Parthiastocks freeze. They kind of look like the triplets when they start to work, still and quiet for a minute before suddenly moving as a coordinated unit.

Ilia tugs himself out of the enforcer’s grip. “That changes my status. I’m no longer just a clone. I belong to a female. Her.”

His voice drops, reverent, awed.

Even battered, his scales dulled and torn, his hair wild with sand and sweat, he stands taller than I’ve ever seen him. Proud. Triumphant.

All because I claimed him.

The Parthiastocks say nothing and the Gerverstocks watch with small smiles as we turn away. I don’t dare look, can’t risk breaking the fragile thread of this moment, in case they decide to take him from me anyway. I slip my hand in his, and his fingers close around mine, warm, steady, and together we walk towards the light, Floss and Rex trotting at our heels.

As we near the exit, I whisper, “I’m sorry. I… I had no other option.”

“Sorry?” His voice is a harsh rasp, the scales black and cracked all around his throat. “What for, El-len?”

“I claimed you,” I murmur, entwining my fingers with his. “Even though I want you to have a choice.”

The events of the last few minutes catch up to me in a rush. Finding him a single yank away from being murdered, then claiming him to keep him safe. Cold skates across my skin despite the heat of the day as we enter the sunlight, the world tilting in haze, my heartbeat too loud, too fast.

His strong arm circles my back and grasps my shoulders, while the other scoops under my legs. With a smile, he hefts me into his arms, holding me against his chest like I belong there. When he speaks, the rumble of his voice vibrates in my own breast.

“I choose you in return. I’m delighted to be claimed by you, because I’m yours.”

I press my hand over his huge, loving hearts. I might have had to claim him, but I don’t get to force loving me on him. “You can say no to me all you like, and once we reach Earth you’re welcome to go off and do your own thing if you want?—”

“No.” His eyes flash. “I don’t want. I’m coming with you, I’m going to live with you, and I’m going to love you for the rest of my life.”