Page 48 of The Quoram Effect

“But theyweren’t you!I’ve tried to move on. Tried to build relationships elsewhere, but they never worked, Rems. I didn’t want them. I’ve alwayswantedyou.”

As I stared motionless, failing to comprehend his words, he began tugging at his wrist support.

“If you don’t believe me, maybe this will convince you!” Abruptly, he wrenched the stiff fabric free from his palm, and there, just above the vein cluster of his left wrist, pulsed a swirling void of glowing purple magic. “It’s been eating away at me for years, slowly growing. It’s become unbearable over the past few months, constantly reaching for you.”

As if the magic called to me, my right wrist tingled, then throbbed. It was the same area that had been nagging me for weeks, perhaps months.

With shaky fingers, I rolled up my sleeve, gasping at the tiny pool of silver light oscillating beneath the skin.

“Rems…” Torz stepped forward, his voice softening to a more tender tone. “If the idea of accepting the bond and living the rest of your days with me on Quoram is worse than being outcast to Pura with a termination date stamped on your forehead, just say the words and I’ll leave.”

“Torz.” Trying to suppress the trembling in my bones, I nervously reached for him. “I never imagined…I don’t want you doing this because you feel you need to protect me.”

He motioned to his wrist again. “Does this look like I’m being forced?”

I shook my head, my eyes glistening with the tears that had previously refused to fall. “Damn it, Torz, there’s nothing…there’s nothing I want more than to be with you. Gods, I can’t live without you. You’re my fucking world.”

The flash of hope jolting across our bond brightened the dark quandaries of his mind, and he gingerly closed the distance between us. His left hand reached for my right, turning his palm outwards and placing it flush against mine. An empowering spark zapped on contact, disbursing any last dregs of doubt. The purple light from Torz’s arm spiralled towards the silver pulsing beneath my skin. I moaned as silvery sparks ripped free, encircling, connecting with its purple twin. Together, they swirled up our arms, encasing our bodies, lighting the dim room with wisps and flurries of dancing particles.

Lifting his free hand, Torz cupped my jaw, his heated gaze clashing with mine. “I want this, Rems.” He brushed his lips against mine. “I love you. I always have.”

The longing inside me surged as he took my mouth, caressing, teasing, owning it with a fierce gentleness. My fingers trailed over his broad shoulders, savouring the physical feel of him. The weight of my body lifted, and my mind fell into contentment. All my cares evaporated—the worry, the dread, the jealousy—it all melted away, freeing my sanity from the mental chains it had been buried under.

This was what I wanted, what I needed. I’d lived so long without the bond, deprived myself of it. I had only been half alive. We were two halves of a beating heart. Without the other, we didn’t work, we couldn’t thrive. But now, everything fitted, everything connected. I was complete. He was my Damson, and I now understood why the bond was so compelling, so important.

“Torz—”

He kissed away my words, and I laughed on a breath. Smiling against my lips, he hummed his amusement.

“Are we really doing this?” I managed to ask.

“Say the words, and we’re on the next transport.”

My heart fluttered as I searched his beautiful, dark eyes. “Okay.” I smiled bashfully. “We’re doing this, Torz Benoit. I want to walk on Quoram’s surface with you. I want to live the rest of my days with you by my side.”

Torz lifted me up, my legs wrapping around his waist. “It’s about time. I’ve been waiting nine damn years.” He kissed me again. This time harder, deeper, more passionate, confirming how long he’d been holding his desire at bay.

“Next transport is at seven this morning,” he said against my lips.

“We should pack.”

“We should.” He nuzzled my neck, breathing me in. “But I can think of something else we could fill the hours with.” He walked us to my sofa, and the boyish mischief I hadn’t seen since he was a teenager danced in his eyes.

“You know what…” I nibbled his earlobe and whispered, “I can think of several.” I glanced at my dining table, memories of my dream flooding my mind with wanton desire. He followed my line of sight and smirked. “Did you have that same dream?”

My jaw dropped before I smiled back at him. “It appears the Damson God has been busy scheming.”

Torz laughed. “He sure has.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Hand in hand, with our backpacks full of clothes and the odd sentimental item, we raced to the transport docked at Airlock 7B. Like the love-struck couple we witnessed only days ago, we ran past those occupying the docking corridor, weaving between them, sometimes bumping their shoulders and sending our apologies their way.

The joy within me could’ve been perceived as greedy, possibly insatiable, but I welcomed it, trusting I deserved it. After all, the magic of Quoram chose me, and finally, I had accepted it.

We slowed as the transparent tunnel appeared ahead, coming to a stop when we recognised the person standing at the inner entrance.

Earlier, in the throes of passion, I’d forgotten about the consequences of the Debate Gala’s outcome. Lying naked in Torz’s arms, listening to his heartbeat stabilise, he told me Zuli’s manifesto had won.