Beyond This Life

Beyond This Life (Pt 6)

I giggled. It was just like old times. It was just like yesterday.

"Was I loud?" I asked.

Beau's grin was big and goofy. "Yes, but I doubt anyone suspects it was you."

"Hurry up and button your pants before Joann comes back."

He fumbled with the button. "There you go again, rushing me." He was taking too long so I pushed his hands away and worked the button myself. "You know, slow and steady wins the race."

"Y'know, we aren't in grade school anymore." I rolled my eyes and straightened my armor, shook my hair into a presentable arrangement.

"Pshhhhaw, I was never in grade school. Civilians don't work that way." I rolled my eyes again and pulled him out the closet behind me.

"Shut up with your 'born Civi' crap. I'm stronger than you anyway."

"Only 'cause you have to be." Beau wrapped his arms around my waist and trapped me against his body. He kissed my neck and said, "Have I said how happy I am that you're back?"

"Yes."

"Have I said I love you?"

"About four times while we were in the closet, not counting the one that you said before you made our clothes disappear." He frowned at me. "Oh God, I love you. God, I love you. Oh God, I missed you and I love you. God, I love you."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm gonna say it again, if you don't mind. I love you, naulin."

"I love you more."

"I love you most."

"Are we quoting 'Tangled' now."

He kissed me in response.

Someone coughed off to the side.

Beau and I froze like a "loving couple" statue.

"Captain Cherina," Paige addressed me. She raised her right hand, fisted it, and thumped it over her heart twice. "Welcome back. Beauregard, our Higher Up would like to speak with you."

"Paige---" I started.

"Stop. I won't report you." Her cheeks turned red as a tomato and she looked away. "I know what it's like to... you know, love your servant."

A knowing smile grew on my face. "I knew you and that Zayne would click. Who said 'I love you' first?"

"He did," she squealed like a teenage girl. She coughed and collected herself. "But that's not important. Beauregard, what's taking--- Well, that's a stupid question now. Just find a shirt and let's go."

"Yes, Miss Paige. I'll be back, Mistress." And Beau was gone.

I walked to Paige and took her face in my hands, stared into her eyes. "Who leads the Troop now?"

"I do. But I will gladly step down for you, Captain Cherina."

"Thank you, but there was a reason I left. I wanted something passed what I was getting. The Troop, I'm sure, hasn't changed. If I returned to my position, then neither have I."

"I know what you mean. Leading the army that kills what you once were part of is damaging. Life altering."

"Exactly. And I couldn't take it anymore. Pieces of me were dying. I was becoming... savage. And I didn't like the face that looked back at me through the mirror."

Paige took my hands in hers and squeezed. "Cherina, wherever you went, I think it had a negative effect."

"Why do you say that," I said, smiling.
She raised her top lip with a finger, showing me her two fangs on one side. "Double-set fangs is a sign of savagery. You shouldn't have left."