Page 81 of Farborn

It’s the least I can do.

Apparently, his actions in the final minutes of his life saved mine. He did manage to pull the relays and basically blind the bridge, forcing the captain and his cohorts out but making it impossible for them to reactivate the ether-jump engine.

Had they tried to jump, it could have killed us all.

I’m still in my A-1, but I’ve pulled the helmet off and it’s hanging down my back. I stand out of the way as the security team reverently lifts the body bag and carefully takes McMurtry off first.

Then I follow.

From somewhere to my left I hear Olarte let out a cry, and I literally run across the landing bay to throw myself into their arms and kiss them. For a blessedly sweet moment, nothing else exists in the universe, except for them and the overwhelming relief I feel to be back in their arms.

“Thank the old ones you are safe!” they say.

“Thankyoufor arranging a rescue.” I stare up into Olarte’s eyes. I never thought I’d fall this hard for someone this damnedtall. “I meant what I said in that message to you—I want to marry you. I’ll even sign one of those stupid contracts, if that’s what it takes.Anythingit takes to show you Imeanthis. That I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Olarte cups my cheek. “I do not require a contract to spend my life with you.”

Hope swells within me. “Is that a yes, you’ll marry me?”

I get the hint of a smile, which is the equivalent of a grin for anyone else.

For any other species that grins, I mean.

“Yes, Davies,” they finally say. “I will marry you.”

Rising on my toes, I kiss Olarte again, loving it when they wrap their arms around me to keep me there.

Like they never want to release me.

Olarte’s hands skim down my back, cup my ass, and effortlessly hoist me so I can wrap my legs around their waist.

Which, of course, I do.

I want toclimbthem.

I came so close to dying, but this isn’t just a reaction to that. True happiness ishereandnow, withthem.

With my arms around their neck, I kiss them again, slanting my lips over theirs and loving how they kiss me back.

“How is your friend?” they ask.

Reality slams back home. I shake my head and look over to where the Guyardiens are carrying McMurtry’s body through another hatchway.

Olarte follows my gaze and sorrow shadows their face. “I am sorry, Davies.”

They hold me as I break down sobbing again. Relief, grief—I don’t know.

I close my eyes and cling to them and, you know what? Fuck you if you judge me for bawling like a kid.

Nearly dying will fuck with a guy’s head, let me tell you what.

Losing a good friend on top of that is the shit frosting on that cupcake from hell.

I hear Dr. H’looder speak to Olarte, but I honestly don’t listen. I just inhale Olarte’s scent, hold them, let them walk with me still wrapped around them as they take me somewhere.

Eventually, I hear all noises fade, and then the sound of the porta-sled being brought in.

A door closes.