Chapter 26

Rane

It was such a normal thing now for Rane to be hauled through the trial of videos and photos and paparazzi doing their absolute best to get the most sensational reaction. It honestly didn’t even seem that bad. Really, this time, compared to some others, was tame. He wasn’t even intoxicated, and if the best they could accuse him of was being intimate with his mate in a public place, even if not directly in the public eye, he was doing pretty well.

But it was Sandy’s first time, and seeing the haunted look in her eyes as she held onto herself was a harsh reminder of just how terrible this was. Especially to those unaccustomed to being so completely centered in focus like that.

They returned to the manor, and he carried her to their room. She didn’t even try to fight, clinging to his neck as he locked the door from the inside. He hadn’t seen his mother, Orza, or Kirs, but he had no doubt they were around here somewhere.

He sat her down on their bed before sitting beside her. Neither of them spoke for a long time. He held her hand between them as he waited for her to collect herself.

Finally, she moved. Her head leaned over, resting against his arm.

“Realistically,” he started slowly, “they didn’t get anything. All they can say is that we were hiding in a utility closet. We can explain any sexual exploits as a human need – they can’t fault you for that, even if they judge you for it. It’s not much worse than what they already say about it.”

“I don’t really care what they say about me,” she said softly. “I’m more worried about the fact that they knew where we were.”

“That actually doesn’t surprise me.” He shook his head. “My mother has tracking on my combot. Just one of the many benefits of my adult guardianship.”

“So, she’s going back to her old tricks.”

“It would appear so.”

“Crap,” she breathed under her breath.

“It will be okay.”

“Of course, it will. I was just enjoying living without the shadow of her overhead. I knew she would fight back eventually. I just hoped for more time before she did so.”

Rane frowned. He wished he could do more for her. He wished he could protect her.

If he was able, he would have gone after all those paparazzi. He’d do anything to keep Sandy out of the media’s eye. Not because he wasn’t proud and didn’t want to show her off, but only because it was clear she didn’t like it.

But he couldn’t send out takedown notices of his own image, much less hers. He couldn’t do anything for her.

It was frustrating. More than that, it was infuriating.

“What do we do?” She asked.

“Even if we can’t rely on the embassy for help, getting you pregnant is still our best option for ensuring your freedom.”

After a moment, she nodded. “Yeah. Seems about right.”

“I have practice in the morning. While I’m there, go to Drevor’s place. Get to the healer. We’ll do it tomorrow night. After that… you should stay with Drevor.”

Sandy lifted her head, frowning at him. “Drevor?”

He nodded, a human mannerism he had picked up from her. “You’re not mated to me. She can’t demand you return here. Not without being hit with a kidnapping charge. If the embassy isn’t reliable, at least he is.”

Sandy frowned. “Yeah, that could probably work.”

“You don’t seem happy about it.”

She made a face. “I’m not.”

He grabbed her, yanking her into his lap. She grabbed onto him, surprised, but didn’t fight. Instead, she wrapped around his neck, smiling at him as he ran his hand along her thigh.

“I’ll still be here,” he promised. “I’ll send you my allowance every day so you can take care of yourself. I’ll try to see you as often as possible.”

It wouldn’t be often, he knew. If Sandy escaped her clutches, Elffa would just tighten her grip upon him. He would be escorted everywhere by Orza and Kirs again. She would surely do anything she could to make his life miserable, to completely ruin his reputation with the tribunal.

Sandy hesitated before nodding. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

He hesitated. “Really?”

She nodded again. “This wasn’t how I ever imagined I would be starting my family, but if this is what must be done, then we’ll do it. And once we have you away from your mother and we can fix all the damage she’s done, we can really live our lives.”

“That sounds really nice,” he said, resting his head on hers. “We can travel together. Go to all my games.”

“We’ll get a new house. One far from here. Not done up all in girly beige.”

He chuckled. “That would be novel.”

“I want a sewing room.”

“Sewing?”

“Yeah. I like sewing and quilting and crocheting. All those fun kinds of things. I feel like I can have adventure in my life but not lose those things.”

“I would agree.” He smiled. “I want to give you everything you want.”

“Is that why you tattooed your head?”

“No, I did that for me. I like it,” he said, crest rising. “Looks punk rock, doesn’t it?”

She laughed. “You only know that phrase because of me!”

“And I maintain that it’s still a very strange thing to call someone, but you like it.”

“I do like it,” she whispered, a hand stroking along his bare scalp. “I like you.”

He smiled, nuzzling her head.

“I think I might love you,” she continued, making him freeze.

“You… You love me?”

She chuckled at his disbelief. “You’re shocked?”

“A bit?”

“Is that a question?”

“I guess it is.”

She continued laughing, wrapping her arms around his neck, holding him close. “I’m willing to do all this for you. I want to. I hate to see the way your mom treats you, and all I want anymore, more than anything, is to set you free. What is that if not love?”

“But… me?” He frowned. “I can’t do anything for you. I’ve never been able to take care of you.”

“Am I a house plant?”

“I’m serious. I can’t protect or provide for you. The best thing I can do is to get you pregnant then abandon you. How can you love a useless male like me?”

“Is that how you see yourself?” She leaned back, smiling at him. “That’s not what I see. I see someone who has withstood humiliation and violation in front of the world and still stood strong. You may be restrained and controlled, but you somehow survived your mother to end up as someone who is kind and self-sacrificing. You tried to make me hate you and leave when I first got here, because you wanted to save me. You’re a good person, Rane. She’s tried her best to destroy you, but despite that you’re still surviving. You’re amazing, and it makes me sad that you don’t realize that.”

He wasn’t ready for her to suddenly declare him to be so great. But it was the warmth and tenderness in her gaze when she declared it that really struck him.

“You believe all that?” He whispered, stunned.

“Of course,” she pulled him down, kissing him sweetly. A short peck that shot straight through him with all the power of a punch to the face. “I’m not saying I wouldn’t enjoy you doting on me. But I like being here for you too. Working together, helping each other, being a team. That’s what it’s all about, you know?”

Right. Because she was used to taking care of people. She’d done that with her grandmother for a long time. She was nurturing and sweet and giving.

“I’m going to take care of you,” he promised, the oath hardening in his chest. “The first moment I can, I will make sure you never need worry about anything ever again.”

She smiled. “I’ll look forward to it then.”

He yanked her close and kissed her eagerly, lowering her back onto the bed. They would be separated soon, and he didn’t know how long it was going to be. He only knew it was going to be for quite a while. He needed to enjoy the time they had for as long as possible.