My Human

Chapter 29

The four of us were sitting at the bar, recovering from the battle. A spent Trish ran her fingers around Neron's shoulder blades soothingly as he leaned against the bar with his forehead in his hand.

"You did too much," she lamented softly.

He moaned an affirmation, taking a sip of the silver concoction that Parker had given him, Trish, and Xan. He had called it a 'restorative elixir'.

I watched as she lovingly kissed the hand cradling his head and a gentle smile crossed his face.

Suddenly I felt the warmth of a hand on my forehead with a gentle glimmer radiating from it.

My gaze turned to Xan, eyes aglow in gold.

"Protocol Cleanse," he murmured, seeing the vision I had before. "What does that mean?"

"You're supposed to be conserving," I scolded tiredly.

His face was pensive. "You didn't tell me you weren't well," he retorted.

I just pursed my lips. "I was starting to feel better," I lied. Maybe I wasn't going to pass out right at that moment, but I felt like I was strewn across a bed of coals and my mind felt fuzzy. Even just focusing on Xan's face was a struggle for me.

"You're lying to me," he read and I pushed his hand away. It was such a dangerous ability. I couldn't have him knowing everything.

He looked at me confused.

"Aeris," he said firmly.

"Xan," I replied firmer with intent eyes. He could get me to do a lot of things, but revealing every truth wouldn't be one.

"Why are you hiding things from me?" he asked, a concerned look on his face.

His expression made me feel guilty like I was shutting him out. At the same time, I couldn't let this weigh him down. Our time was limited and he would need to follow his own path.

"It's called 'She's a woman and deserves privacy', Xan," Trish chimed in after overhearing.

"Be nice," Neron moaned. She wasn't trying to be mean. I knew she was just trying to protect me.

"Typical controlling Torian with his invasive questions and controlling mind-reading," she muttered while scowling at Xan.

"I'm a Torian," Neron reminded.

Trish shrugged. "It's different, I love you."

Neron chuckled and pulled her closer.

A silenced Xan sulked next to me and sipped the elixir.

"Is that how you feel?" he asked, eyes focused forward. "Am I controlling you and invading your privacy?"

"No," I answered quietly, feeling flushed. My mind was aflame with a little delirium that was forcing honesty in me. "It's just not fair."

He looked at me curiously. "What's not fair?"

I grabbed his arm as if it would help hold me in place. "It's not fair for you to know every intimate feeling inside of me when I know I can never have that."

His eyes were wide as he looked at me speechless with the new realization.

He wrapped his arm around me, noticing my weakness. I rested my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes, relishing the moment of rest.

"Aeris," he whispered sadly.

"No, don't say anything," I silenced. "I know why I can't. It's alright."