Reckless Rescue by Rinelle Grey

perfect just the way he was. What was she doing wishing he was like someone else?
    It was easier for Tyris to be positive. He’d led such a different life from theirs. Marlee wanted to ask him if he truly thought his ship could be repaired. She needed to hear him say it again because when he said the words, she believed it. In between, doubts fought to claw their way in. She shook them away. Tyris didn’t need someone around him voicing doubts. He needed someone who was as strong as he was.
    She squared her shoulders. “We should get some sleep. It’s going to be a big day tomorrow.”
    Tyris looked so tired that she wasn’t surprised he didn’t argue. He followed her into the bedroom, and it was only when he stood by the bed that he made a small protest. “Where are you going to sleep?”
    Marlee waved at the pallet on the floor near the foot of the bed. “Here.”
    Tyris frowned. “You mean you’ve given your bed up for me? That doesn’t seem fair. You take the bed. I’ll sleep down there.”
    Marlee smiled, but shook her head. “It’s sweet of you to offer, but it’s not a problem. You’re still not fully recovered, so I’d rather you got a good night sleep. I’ll be right here if you need anything.”
    Tyris still didn’t seem satisfied. “I don’t see how where I sleep will make that much difference to my recovery. I feel bad taking your bed while you sleep on the floor.”
    She grinned a little. “If where you sleep isn’t going to make that much difference, then why would it make a difference to me? Go to bed and stop arguing.”
    Tyris opened his mouth then closed it again and smiled ruefully. “I’m beginning to see what Nelor meant. Saying no to you just doesn’t work, does it?”
    Marlee grinned. “No, it doesn’t, so you might as well give up now and get some sleep.”
    Obediently, Tyris climbed into the bed, and Marlee blew out the lantern. Silence filled the room for a while before Tyris’s voice broke through the darkness. “Marlee?”
    “Yes?” She sat up, ready to jump up to get anything he needed.
    “Why am I here? In your house I mean. Not that I mind, but isn’t there somewhere, well, more suitable I could be?”
    Marlee relaxed again. “There wasn’t anywhere else. Most of our houses are already pretty crowded. I’ve been living here alone since Nelor left, so it made sense.”
    He didn’t reply, and Marlee wondered if he’d fallen asleep.
    Then he asked softly, “Did you think it made sense, or were you forced to take me in?”
    Marlee smiled into the darkness. “Oh, I volunteered.”
    There was silence from Tyris, and Marlee wondered what he was thinking. But all he said eventually was, “Goodnight, Marlee.”
    “Goodnight, Tyris.”

T YRIS WOKE TO A HAND shaking his shoulder. “Huh?” He sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes. When he opened them again, it was just as dark as it had been a few moments ago.
    “It’s time,” Marlee whispered.
    He was about to question her assertion, given that he could see no signs to indicate morning until he heard a strange crowing sound in the distance. Was that a real rooster?
    He’d slept fully clothed in expectation of an early start, so he fumbled through the house to the front door. Of course, in that short distance, he managed to kick his toe on a table then run into the wall. Muffling a curse, he hobbled to the door frame.
    Marlee gave a muted giggle but took his hand, preventing any more mishaps. Her fingers, curled around his, were warm and comforting and led him safely the rest of the way out.
     Outside, he reluctantly released her hand. The cold hit him like a wall, and he wished he had accepted Marlee’s offer of a shawl, no matter how silly it made him look. His flight jacket wasn’t thick enough for weather this cold. He stuck his hands deep into his pockets and hunched his shoulders. The walk would warm him up quickly enough once they got going.
    The starlight covered everything with a silvery glow, enough