Chapter 25

Monte

 

The only thing keeping me awake was the deep heartache in my chest, the one I knew Ryn was feeling.

It didn’t help that my shoulder felt like it was on fire, even through a time in the goo tubes.

I laid my head on the cold pillow, trying to get some rest like the nurses told me to but every time I closed my eyes, all I saw was Ryn. All I could feel was her and her heartache.

Theano jumped in front of me to save me from Iris. She gave me the chance to go back to Ryn. Something that pained me deep in my gut and I knew Ryn could feel that as well.

I’d lost two sisters, physically and emotionally. But I also knew that one gained my understanding, my trust. Theano and I might not have always seen eye to eye, but when she gave the ultimate sacrifice so I could be with my mate again, I knew she approved.

A bright light streamed into the otherwise dark room. I thought it was just another hospital worker, checking my vitals like they kept doing.

But the soft steps sent a sweet chill through my arms. I could sense her before I even heard her speak.

“Monte? Are you awake?” Ryn whispered.

I sat straight up in bed, my eyes adjusting to the light and finally seeing the beautiful woman before me, her eyes hollow and her cheeks tear-stained.

“I’m here,” I said, hoarsely.

The tears sprung fiercely from her eyes, and she collapsed onto my chest, her arms wrapping my neck and embracing me. I pulled her close, not caring about the pain in my shoulder or anything else but finally feeling her again, something I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to do.

“Am I hurting you?” she managed to gasp, pulling back slightly and pressing her forehead to mine.

I laughed slightly. “Only a little, but worth it.”

She leaned back, sitting on the edge of the bed, but kept her hand on mine. “I was so afraid I was going to lose you.”

“You’ll never lose me, Ryn. We’re connected.”

She nodded. “I know, but…”

“Actually, the doctors said you were the one who saved me,” I stated with a smile.

She raised an eyebrow. “Our connection saved you?”

Smirking, I reached into the side drawer by my bed and pulled out a mangled silver box. “The connection and this that was in my pocket.”

She raised an eyebrow, picking up the mangled box and examining it like it was an ancient artifact. “What is it?”

I pressed a small button on top of the box, letting it open to reveal the sparkling blue diamond ring inside.

“Monte,” she gasped. “Is this…?”

I nodded, taking the ring out of the box and setting the mangled piece of Kevlar to the side before putting the ring near her finger. “I know we have the Caltian connection, but I wanted something more. I may have only known you a short time, Ryn, but I know I love you. I know that I want us to be together in the human and Caltian way. Body…”

I slowly put the ring on her finger. “Mind.”

I brought her hand to my head, keeping my eyes locked on hers.

She took my hand in hers, the ring reflecting the light from the doorway as she placed my hand on her heart.

“Soul,” she whispered a fresh set of tears glistening in her eyes.

I tilted my head. “Why are you crying? Do you not want this? Did I read the signs wrong? If you want I can take it back. We can forget this whole thing happened.”

I went to move my hand, but she shook her head, lacing our fingers together. “These are happy tears, Monte. It’s because I love you, too. Because I want to marry you in the Caltian, human, whatever alien way. I’ve never had a guy that took a bullet for me or had that bullet not kill him because it hit my ring box. I can’t tell you that it’s going to be easy, our relationship. That I don’t feel like I’m responsible for what happened with your sisters…”

I shook my head, putting my free hand to her cheek. “That wasn’t your fault, Ryn. You have to know that.”

“I may, someday. I know that I’ll go through counseling and maybe be able to help those other girls that were in my situation. I also know that without a doubt, I wouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t have survived if it wasn’t for you. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, Monte, and body, mind, and soul, I’m yours.”

I grinned, pulling my hospital garb to the side to reveal the giant hickey on my shoulder. “This also says I’m yours. The doctor asked about that one, and I had to explain my wife’s a biter.”

She shoved my arm gently, and I yelped. Ryn covered her mouth. “Oh my god! I’m so sorry!”

I laughed. “It didn’t hurt that bad, but if you want to make it better, I wouldn’t complain.”

She smiled. “I’m not having sex with you in a hospital bed.”

I leaned in, breathing into her lips. “We’ll see about that one.”

When I finally kissed her, it was as if we were back in our bubble. That the bad things in the universe didn’t exist when I could get lost in her. This wouldn’t be the last time I’d have to fight and get injured or the last time our connection could possibly affect one of our judgments.

But as long as I had her, and she had me, together I knew we could protect each other. For ever. For always. Permanent.