Chapter 11

Constance's head hurt, the throbbing in her temples beginning as soon as she regained consciousness.

Where am I?

The last thing she remembered was the hazy image of a fire, and Kalpar carrying her. She must have passed out at some point because she didn't remember how they'd arrived… In a flyer, she realized. A very compact flyer which had left her sprawled across Kalpar's lap. Color flooded her cheeks as she tried to sit up, and he gave her a quick smile.

"There's water in the bag, along with a box of pink pills. They're painkillers. Taking one of them should help your head."

She started to nod, then winced. Moving very slowly, she opened the bag at her feet and pulled out the water and the pills. She tipped one onto a palm then gave it a doubtful look.

"After everything that's happened, you're worried about a pill?"

Despite his sardonic tone, she thought she caught a hint of… hurt?

"No, I'm not worried," she said quietly, and swallowed the pill.

It started to work almost immediately and she sighed with relief as the pain eased. As it ebbed she peered through the window, then gasped. It was still dark outside, but a line of brightness along the horizon forecast the upcoming day. There was enough light for her to make out the imposing range of mountains in front of them. Port Cantor was nowhere in sight.

"W-where are we going?"

"To the farm, just like I said."

"Oh." She thought about that for a moment, then gave him a questioning look. "What about the information you were seeking?"

"An additional day won't make much difference. I wanted to see you safe first," he said gruffly.

He'd put her needs ahead of his own? A lump appeared in her throat and she leaned over and gave him an impulsive kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you."

He shot her a startled glance, then nodded.

"You're welcome."

"How long will it take to get there?"

"Only another thirty minutes or-" The engine spluttered and he swore viciously. "Or maybe longer. I'm going to fly lower and see if the engine corrects itself."

It didn't, and a few minutes later he was guiding them into a landing as the engine failed completely. He managed to bring them down in a small open clearing and she watched, petrified, as the huge trees surrounding the clearing grew closer and closer. They came to a halt right at the base of one of the largest trees and she sighed with relief, her hand still shaking.

"That was close."

"Too close," he agreed as he opened the door and cool forest air filled the cabin.

"Do you think it was sabotaged?"

"No, I think the dealer who sold it to me was a greedy, untrustworthy male - and I was a fool not to have examined it earlier. I'm going to see if I can determine what's wrong and see if there are any spare parts. But I'm not optimistic," he warned grimly as he climbed down.

She hesitated for a moment, then followed him. The pill had done its job and her headache had faded to no more than a dull ache. Her legs felt steadier too and after a cautious few steps, she walked around to the front of the flyer where Kalpar was giving the engine a disgusted look.

"Can you fix it?"

"I could - if I had a full workshop and several days to spend on it. I'm afraid we're going to have to walk, but it should only take a few days."

Days? In this wilderness?Her only previous exposure to nature had been a few trips to the park as a child. As an adult, she had attended several social events that had taken place at the botanical gardens, but she didn't think that counted. Her father's ruthlessly manicured roof garden certainly did not. Kalpar must have read her hesitant expression because his face softened.

‘Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll take care of you."

‘I know you will," she said honestly.

He sat back on his heels and looked up at the sky, already painted with the colors of dawn.

"If you feel up to it, we should probably get started. We can go as slowly as you need to and we can stop whenever you want, but I would feel more comfortable if we were away from the wreck. Vehicles can be tracked," he added at her confused look. "No one should be able to trace this back to me, but then I didn't think anyone could trace the warehouse back to me either."

"I don't mind walking," she said, shivering at the thought of being followed.

"Good. I'll get the bag and we'll get going."

She enjoyed the walk far more than she'd expected. Although the terrain could be a little rough, the fresh air and open sky lifted her spirits. After a lifetime cooped up in her father's sterile tower, the natural surroundings were a revelation. She found herself stopping constantly to touch the bark of an ancient tree, or run her fingers over a delicate blossom. Overhead, birds flitted through the canopy, trilling an exuberant song.

Kalpar made no attempt to rush her, allowing her to take her time and stop as frequently as she wished and doing his best to answer her eager questions. He possessed a surprising amount of knowledge about many of the plants they encountered. Although he had seemed perfectly at home in Port Cantor, he moved just as easily through the wilderness.

"How do you know so much about all of this?" she asked when they stopped for a midday break in the shade of an enormous boulder.

"I grew up in a city so a new environment was… difficult at first. I decided the best way to handle it was to learn as much as I could. On Vizal, especially during the last years of the way, being able to survive in the wilderness was essential."

His face had turned grim and she reached out to lightly touch his hand.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"So am I, but perhaps it was the price I had to pay."

Pay for what, she wondered, but before she could ask, he went to collect water from a nearby stream. They rested a while longer, dozing in the warmth of the sun, then set off again. He kept the pace slow but steady and by the time he decided they should make camp for the night, she thought they must have covered a considerable distance.

He had chosen a spot by another stream and she walked over to it to wash off the dust of travel, the water pleasantly cool after the heat of the day. By the time she returned, he already had a fire burning. He'd also placed a tarp on the ground between two large bushes and suspended another one over it to form a makeshift shelter. He went off to gather firewood, then made his own visit to the stream, returning with several good-sized fish. Watching him deftly clean and gut the fish with quick, precise movements filled her with admiration.

As he cooked the fish over the crackling fire, the smoky scent made her mouth water. She was suddenly ravenous after the long day of hiking and fresh air, waiting impatiently for the fish to cook. The simple fish turned out to be better than anything she'd ever tasted. He'd stuffed them with some wild greens that added a subtle citrus tang and she consumed every morsel.

"That was delicious," she said, unabashedly licking her fingers.

His eyes flared white as he watched her, but he shook his head.

"I suspect that hunger was the key ingredient."

"Maybe. I never really felt hungry at mealtimes - although I enjoyed eating a lot more once you joined me," she added shyly.

"A meal is always more pleasant with company."

After cleaning up, they returned from the stream to sit by the fire. She watched surreptitiously as the firelight played across his features, making them look both more alien and more attractive. In spite of everything, including his original plans for her, she was glad he was here. He made her feel safe in a way she'd never experienced. Impulsively, she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you," she said softly, "for everything."

"How can you say that, now that you know what I was planning?"

Perhaps it was the uncertain light, but his face looked tired and strained.

"I understand that you were trying to protect your family. And whatever you may have planned, you've never done anything bad to me. You've watched over me, protected me, helped me escape." She gathered her courage and added softly, "and kissed me."

His eyes blazed white, but he shook his head.

"I shouldn't have done that."

"I wanted you to do it. I still do."

They stared at each other for a moment, and then he groaned and pulled her into his arms as his mouth descended over hers.