We set course for Sapphira right away. Quinn says there’s no point in waiting, no point in delaying the inevitable. He sends a message to his brother using some sort of code I don’t really understand, and then it’s time to leave Dreagle.
“Good luck and good riddance,” I say.
“Why are you wishing Dreagle luck?” He shoots a sideway glance at me as he’s making sure all the controls are set correctly.
“Isn’t that the phrase?” I ask, trying to think. “Good luck and good riddance?”
“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” he corrects me. “Your Earth slang needs work.”
“Oops,” I blush. “I guess you’re right. Shit. Maybe you can teach me. How do you know so much about Earth sayings, anyway?” My parents spoke properly growing up. They were always concerned I’d sound like a common person if I used slang, so they never used any fun language around me. I’ve tried to learn some as I’ve grown, but apparently, I haven’t done a good job.
“I like movies,” he says. “My siblings and I had a lot of free time when we were teenagers. When we weren’t busy watching Martian shows, we watched old Earth flicks. You can learn a lot that way.”
“I’m impressed.”
“It’s not really that great of a skill,” he says, but he chuckles, and I focus on the way his laugh is so easy and free. Darin never laughed like that. My family never laughed like that. Hell, I don’t think I ever laughed like that until I found myself on this damn ship.
Something about Quinn makes me feel relaxed and comfortable.
Something about him makes me feel like the world isn’t such a terrible place.
Something about him makes me feel like everything is going to be okay.
I just need to hold on a little bit longer and he’s going to take care of me.
He’s going to take care of everything.
How long does it take to get to Sapphira, anyway?”
“If I fly fast? Four days.”
“And if you don’t go fast?” I ask, wondering how long we have together.
“Two weeks.”
“Maybe we should take the slow way,” I mumble under my breath, but he hears me and spins me around, then plants a soft kiss on my forehead.
“Believe me,” he says softly. “I don’t want our time together to end, either.”
“Then let’s take the scenic route,” I say hopefully, even though I know I’m being selfish. I should want to hurry back to Mirroean. I should want to get home to face my family. I should want all of those things, but I don’t.
I just want to hide away with Quinn.
I just want to hide away in his arms.
“It’s going to be a bumpy ride,” he warns me. “Once we’re off Dreagle, it won’t be hard for LeBlaie’s men to find us. I’ll take as many secret routes as I know, but chances are they’ll catch up to us at some point.”
“And what if that happens?” I ask.
“My brother knows where we are,” Quinn assures me. “Ezra has our flight plan now. He’ll meet up with us at some point and offer us some extra protection.”
Somehow, his words aren’t as comforting as they should be. Am I about to find myself in the middle of a battle?
“There’s no delaying the abominable,” I say.
“Inevitable,” Quinn says quickly.
“Hmm?”