Page 18 of Owned

“This opportunity we’re giving you offers so much,” his dad said. “You make a good match, and you can still have a supporting role with the Apocalypse. You could offer financial support, rather than being hands-on. You could even establish a new sanctuary. I’m sure that would be welcome.”

“I don’t just want to offer money, though.” His family was embarrassingly wealthy, but he’d always been determined to make his own income. To show he could be independent. He’d had no clue that decision would lead him here, to Eden.

“It’s a compromise you must accept. I see you have a passion for that work, and that’s admirable. And I’m not saying you give that up and only attend the formal side of your duties, but things must change,” his dad said. “You need to decide on who you’ll match with, so we can make the arrangements.”

“When you leave the Apocalypse in six months’ time, the matching ceremony will go ahead, and a new chapter of your life will start. That’s always been the plan,” his mom said.

“I know the plan. I won’t let you down.” Blaze didn’t welcome matching for an alliance rather than love, but it generally worked. The couple knew the situation they were getting into. And he’d been told from a young age that being matched wasn’t about finding love. It was about strengthening bonds between families to avoid disputes.

Apexians had fiery tempers and could be stubbornly proud. These matches were crucial in avoiding brutal battles and the destruction to whole areas. They mattered.

But then Eden had blasted into his life like a fiery comet, and everything had shifted. He needed a partner who would consume him. Someone he’d die for. He wanted that burning desire for just one person. A person who made him want to yell from the top of a spaceship she was his, and he adored her.

Blaze met his dad’s stern gaze. He couldn’t have both. He couldn’t fulfil his obligations to his family and have Eden. She was nothing like his parents expected as a match. She was a human, and although she didn’t talk much about her family, they didn’t have the connections his parents expected from a match. And having learned about her mom’s debts only made things trickier.

His gut twisted. Not that Eden ever let him close enough to think they could have a forever. It was all one huge mess. And it was tearing him apart. But if he rejected the agreement he’d made with his parents, he’d weaken the family name. He hated the idea of breaking a promise to them.

And then there was Eden. She’d rejected him countless times. Why was he still fighting to get through her barriers when a simple solution lay in front of him? As his dad said, there were half a dozen women willing to marry him. Why not pick one of those and take the easy option?

He inhaled deeply. Because he couldn’t. Eden was in his heart, even if he didn’t want her there.

“Blaze, we don’t want to make this hard on you,” his mom said. “You’ve still got some time. Enjoy yourself while you’re on the Apocalypse, but take a moment to remember your roots.”

“Of course. I’m a part of the family. I’m here for you. It’s just...” He didn’t know how to explain it. His parents’ relationship was happy enough, but there was little passion. They seemed like friends. And that worked for them, but the thought of spending the rest of his life in a situation like that left him with a cold, aching heart. Especially now he knew what real longing felt like.

“Look over the information we’ve sent you about your new matches. They’re all charming. You’ll be spoilt for choice.” His mom sighed. “We want you back here. It’s where you belong.”

“Your mother’s right. It’s time to stop playing the warrior and step into the role you were born for.”

Blaze’s hopes fell. He was being selfish. He had to put his own feelings aside and forget Eden. “Of course. I won’t let you down.”