Chapter 11

Chapter

Eleven

LAURA

I balance the tray in my hands, careful not to spill the contents. A chef does one thing best: cook. And there is one thing in this universe that can heal practically any injury: chicken soup. Just ask any mother; they swear by it. Maybe it's less about the soup and more about the placebo effect. Either way, I'm banking on its magical properties today.

The old fears resurface, whispering in my ex's voice. "You're defective, Laura. You'll only make everything worse." I squeeze my eyes shut, silencing the thoughts. I'm stronger than this. So what if I'm not perfect? Neither is anyone else. I'm still worth more than he ever gave me credit for.

I'm never going back to that nightmare. I will rise above my ex and be the person I've always wanted to be. And I'll prove my worth by saving Nelan, one bowl of soup at a time if I have to.

"Hold on, Nelan," I whisper. "I'm coming for you. And when this is all over, we're going to have a long talk about timing and proper proposals. Because I swear, if you don't propose then I will, and we both know how bossy I can be. I probably won't even ask, just demand it."

I giggle at the visual, before quickly sobering. It's a good thing this guy doesn't seem to mind my nature. He's probably the only one in the universe who finds my bossiness endearing. Talk about a match made in... well, wherever we are in space right now.

I push open the door to our medical ward. It's basically a storage room crammed with tables, shelves, and what I am pretty sure are a few boxes of linens. On the far wall, already sitting up and watching me warily, is the General. Rather than a bed like I expected, he sits in what looks like some sort of futuristic space pod. He's got a few stiff wires plugged into his body, hooking him up to the device like some sort of robot covered with skin.

It's a really disturbing visual.

I'm one of those weird people that never kept up with technology. Sure, I knew how to use a computer to check emails. If you gave me a spreadsheet... I might look at you blankly. My phone lets me use my bank accounts, but that app was designed to be simple to use for people like me. In other words, technological toddlers.

All my life, I've trusted the things directly in front of me. Things that I can touch, smell, and feel. It's why I learned how to cook. It felt safer. No computer could take away my job. It could never match what made home cooking unique.

I think that's why I waged war with the NutriSynth all this time.

"I've brought soup," I tell the General as he struggles to sit up. "My abuela used to say that soup was full of strength. Though her English wasn't the best, and her soup required you to be strong with how much chili she put in it. "

I suppress a chuckle, remembering how her "healing" soup often left us gasping for water. It was less about healing and more about making you forget whatever else was ailing you.

I place the tray down in front of him, within arm's reach.

"On Earth, a lot of people swear by soup. Magical healing," I explain, with a smile. "I'm hoping it'll help you at least feel better until the poison is identified."

"Thank you," he rasps. Just as I hoped, he takes the tray from me without hesitation.

"Rist is bringing the detective here now," I tell him as I pull up a nearby table for him to rest his food tray on. "But I had some questions for you first, if you don't mind?"

The General nods to me as he breathes in the steamy air above his bowl.

"What made you consider defecting to support Rist?" I just throw the question out there. No hesitation. No take-backsies. Subtlety, thy name is definitely not Laura.

The General chokes on his food. "I... what?—"

"I overheard you talking to Rist the other night," I explain, handing him a napkin. "You said that life on Latium is getting worse. Do you know someone that needs help?"

The general stares at me for a long, hard moment. Despite the fact that he's still a voodoo doll to a machine, I'm reminded just how much larger he is than me. It would be really easy for him to deal with me. Given everything going on, he could probably just claim I attacked him first. It's funny how sometimes abusers can claim self-defense when you fight back. It's funny how some people will abandon you when you finally stand up for yourself, even those you thought you could always rely on.

It's so incredibly hard to not feel alone, to not blame yourself. It takes a strength to stand up again. It's also taken me a long time to learn that there are good people out there, people who will treat you right if given the chance. You just have to give them a chance. Not everyone in this universe is evil. Some people are genuinely good. Some people genuinely want to help others, even if it means doing questionable things. Like becoming an assassin, or leading a coup, or maybe poisoning a meal. You know, normal Tuesday stuff.

And then maybe, one day, you'll be strong enough to help others out too. Even those who don't show their wounds for all to see. Because let's face it, some of us are walking wounded, held together with duct tape and sheer stubbornness.

"I have no mate, and I am the last of my line," he tells me with a heavy swallow. "There is no one in particular to help."

I take a hard, long look at the General. If I had to make a guess, he's a bit older than Rist and the other guys. He's got fine grey strands threaded throughout his black hair. Even sick, he holds himself straight and with dignity. His muscles are honed beneath his clothing, his hair impeccable. His horns are capped in metal, gleaming under the low light. And his eyes are sharp, studying me back just as intensely.

I snort.

"You better watch yourself while you are here at the Alien Hotel," I tell him with a smile. His eyes narrow at that. Perhaps I could have phrased that a bit better. "There are a lot of women around, and some girls have a thing for a guy in a uniform."

"A thing?" He asks .

I wave at him, indicating his whole body. "You aren't to my tastes, obviously. But I'm certain there's already gossip going around, maybe some cat fights about who gets first pickings. It's just the kind of things that Earth girls do."

"I understood about half of what you said," he tells me plainly.

I smile as I explain, "I'm sure there's at least one of my friends wondering if you're mated and if you're looking for one."

I indicate that he should continue eating before it gets cold.

"I have no interest in finding a mate," the General replies stiffly.

"Why?"

"A female deserves the finer things in life. I am a decorated war General. I have seen war the likes of which you could not comprehend. I am not the soft, kind male that a female deserves, and I cannot provide that life to her."

"You think you are broken," I say, nodding. "I understand, I do. Just consider this though; you might be exactly who she needs."

The General stares at me perplexed, looking like he has a million questions but no idea where to even start.

"Like I said, defective. You see yourself as wrong, as the problem. Others might even accuse you of it. But sometimes you've got to do the wrong thing in order to do the right thing. You know? Even if others don't agree with your methods."

Just like how I push those who don't care about me away. Only those who survive my snark are welcomed into my inner circle; the people who really care about me.

A knock at the door has us turning. I hope he understands. I pray he does.

"Sorry we are late," Rist says as he steps through first, shoulders held stiff. Behind him is Major Zoreth, a Volscian stranger and...

"Nelan!" It's the first time I've seen him since he was arrested. My very soul demands I hold him close, to know that he's safe and sound. I throw myself into his arms. They don't wrap around me…

I pull back, only now realizing that he's got handcuffs on. Well, something that looks like handcuffs. Big, metal bracelets that look heavy as all heck. I very much doubt he's chosen now to test out a new up-and-coming fashion style.

I'm also distinctly aware of how everyone's staring at me, hugging Nelan like he's about to go to the chopping block.

Oh gosh, I don't think I can ever cut meat up again, not after that metaphor has hit my brain. Great job, Laura. You've just ruined cooking for yourself.

"It's perfect timing actually," I tell the newcomers, clearing my throat. "The General and I were just talking about defects."

"Defects?" Major Zoreth asks, his gaze jumping from me to the General. His face is a blank mask, but there's a tightness around his eyes and lips.

"Did you know that on my home world, my old mate considered me a defect?" I ask him.

Nelan growls. Actually growls. That sound does something to me... maybe because the only other time I've ever heard him make that noise is in the bedroom. "You are perfect the way you are, Laura. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to tell you earlier, I…"

He steps forward as if to comfort me, but the whole thing is awkward when he can't even hug me.

"Thank you," I tell him, honestly .

"It took me a long time to learn that there was nothing wrong with me. It was all him. Still, I had to pick myself up, broken pieces and all, and heal. I was alone by then, with no one else to help me."

I blink the tears away that gather in my eyes. The other night was the first time I opened up and spoke about my past. Today is just as hard. One day I can only hope that it won't haunt me as much as it does.

It helps when everyone around you looks absolutely furious, like they are contemplating murdering someone they've never met. It helps to know that you aren't truly alone, even if you sometimes feel like it. It's like having your own personal angry mob, but in a good way.

"Have you heard of Kintsugi?" I ask. Of course they haven't. "It's the ancient art of repairing broken pottery. Putting it all back together again with veins of gold. Making it something even more valuable than what you began with."

Despite the situation, I find myself laughing. "It's kind of like how I'm held together with sarcasm and spite, but it makes me sparkle."

Major Zoreth huffs with frustration. "Female, we have come here to discuss the crimes of this male. If you are stalling, know that it won't achieve anything. He will be found guilty."

I glare at the male.

"You are missing my point," I tell him, voice firm. "It's about improving yourself. You experience something and learn not to repeat the same mistakes again."

"I don't see what that's got to do with anything!" Zoreth says. "Can we remove her from the room? This is taking too long."

"Why the rush?" The General asks. "I'm not going anywhere any time soon. Besides, we are on holiday."

"Let's get to the point then, shall we?" I ask. I smile at Rist, hoping I look reassuring and not utterly like an insane woman.

"Nelan was accused of poisoning someone once before, is that correct?" I ask, facing the General directly. "You were there when the late king was killed, weren't you?"

"Are you accusing a member of the Volscian army of treason?" Zoreth hisses, advancing on me.

Fear laces through me. A large guy, storming closer, hands raised...

The detective is faster. He places a restraining hand on the male's chest, halting him. For the first time, he speaks. All he says is simply, "Please continue."

"As I said, we learn from our mistakes. Personally, I've learned that I need to let people in again. I can't keep pushing people away, afraid of getting hurt."

"Laura…" Nelan looks absolutely devastated.

"It's okay, Nelan," I tell him, reaching out and placing my hand on his chest, just over his heart. "I'm getting better one day at a time, thanks to you."

"You said you were getting to the point?" Zoreth snaps.

"If Nelan wanted to kill the General, especially given his criminal history, he's learned that it would be phenomenally stupid to poison the General."

Nelan breathes in sharply, realizing his past is exposed. The past he didn't tell me about. We all have things we struggle to talk about, and I'm not going to force him to tell me when he's not ready yet.

Nelan looks hard at the ground. He refuses to meet my eye.

"Of course, he didn't do it then either," I state simply .

His gaze snaps to mine. His eyes search mine, disbelief and hope upon his expression.

"He looks grumpy all the time," I tell the detective. "But he's actually very sweet. He's almost always in the kitchen before me in the mornings, always making my not-coffee. Any time I have an issue with the NutriSynth, he's there to fix it. Whenever someone's having a bad day, he goes out of his way to cheer them up, often making that person their favorite meal even when it's not on the menu. Nelan is... well, he's entirely lovable."

"Laura..."

"That doesn't make him innocent," Zoreth replies smugly.

"Nor does it make him guilty," I retort.

"The very fact that Major Zoreth has no evidence, just baseless accusation, should be taken into account."

Damn, I think, look at me go! I'm basically a lawyer. At this rate I could take on the universe!

Zoreth snorts. He waves an arm in the General's direction. "There's all the evidence needed."

"Oh, I'm not denying that the General was poisoned," I reply. "But even the General himself doesn't suspect the staff of the attempt."

"I never said that," the General interrupts, scowling.

"But you didn't even hesitate to take the food I offered you. Food that could well have been poisoned once again," I reply, indicating his empty bowl. "More so, you don't blame Nelan for the king's murder either."

"And what makes you think that?"

"You recognized who he was as soon as you visited us in the kitchens," I state. "Rather than get upset about him being a member of the staff, you chose to leave him be. Furthermore, you even ate the food he presented to you, trusting it was safe. An action you would not have taken if you'd harbored distrust for him!"

I raise my finger high in the air, practically shouting out my argument. Everything hinges on this one moment, this one person. I just need the General to agree.

Of course, Zoreth sneers. "The General was the one who personally cut this male's arm off as punishment for treason. You're a fool to think your ‘mate' is innocent."

Silence descends in the room. The General... this is the guy that hurt Nelan? He... A wave of nausea and dizziness hits me.

I've hated people in my life… mostly my ex… but the rush of anger that flows through me leaves me trembling and out of breath.

"I was simply following orders from the newly appointed king," the General replies quietly. "I never found any evidence to prove that he used poison then, and it seems we have no evidence he has used poison again."

I take a deep breath in, forcing myself to focus. This isn't about me. If Nelan can stand to be in this room alongside this male, then so can I. If I want to hit something, I'll take it out on the damn NutriSynth. I refuse to ever hit a person, not after what I've experienced. Though I might make an exception for the NutriSynth. Is it really violence if it's against a kitchen appliance?

"Nelan was simply a scapegoat. He was used to cover up a crime. He was simply in the wrong time and the wrong place. Twice." I laugh, the sound bitter to even my own ears. "Seriously, Nelan, you have some impressively bad luck."

"I am the luckiest male alive to have met you," Nelan chokes out. "Not only do you believe me, but you fight for me."

He stares at me in wonder, as if I am truly a blessing. Not that long ago I had been wanting someone to look at me like that... I'd been secretly longing for it, but too afraid to grasp for it. Now, I refuse to let it go. Nelan's mine now. I'm never giving him up. Not even if the universe itself tries to pry him from my cold, dead hands.

"I'll always fight for my mate," I tell him quietly. In this moment, there's just us in the room. All life in the entire universe might cease to exist, and I wouldn't even notice. All that matters is that we are together.

I'm not a fighter, not in the traditional sense, but I will take on the universe to stay by Nelan's side. Even if it means learning to use the NutriSynth or serving those nasty ration bars for the rest of my days.

The shock on Nelan's face, the way he seems to suddenly tremble...

I wrap my arms around him, pressing my face into his chest. I really wish he could hug me back. Stupid handcuffs, ruining our moment. I make a mental note to ask Elana to teach me how to pick locks. You never know when it might come in handy in space.

"Laura, I…" He chokes on the words, his breath fanning my hair. I feel him breathe my scent in, feel the flex of his chest muscles beneath my fingertips. I reach up, running my hand along his jaw.

He's so much taller than me, but he doesn't intimidate me. No, he makes me feel safe. Even when he's in handcuffs, I feel safer and calmer in his presence than I've felt in a long time.

"I love you," I whisper. Then I pull him down as I raise myself on my toes and kiss him. Long, lingering, and sweet. A memory made to last.

Someone clears their throat behind us .

Oh, right. Murder investigation and all. I need to stay focused! It's hard to remember there's a room full of people when you're busy smooching the love of your life.

"I came here to arrest someone," the detective simply reminds us. "Even if this male is innocent, it still does not solve the mystery of who poisoned the General."

"But of course it does. They are right here!" I reply.

All three males look at me blankly.

"Let me explain…"