Rem nodded, trying to think of somethingintelligent to say, when all he could think was that it was true—ifFinn Stone could only have lived to see this. Or if Rem’s fathercould have been here, instead of being framed by Elena Quito anddriven to an early grave . . .
Almost instinctively he turned toward Elena’sdaughter, anxious to see her reaction. If she had been unhappy atthe prospect of giving him a second medal, this third one wouldprobably ruin her day!
She was standing perfectly still and lookingstraight at him, or rather, straight through him, or so it seemed.Beyond vacant, her golden stare was now almost catatonic. Thenbefore he could figure out whether to be elated or insulted, he sawher eyes roll back into her forehead and she crumpled toward thefloor.
Chapter2
Zia was dimly aware of voices as shestruggled to wake up. At first she was sure she was wearingrestraints on her arms and legs, but realized finally that fatiguewas the only thing weighing her down. Luckily, she also recognizedthe feel of her favorite satin-covered comforter, a sign that shewas in her own bedroom, so she gathered the covers closer, thenopened her eyes and forced them to focus on the two men seated byher bedside.
“Hey, Uncle J.”
“Zee!” He jumped out of the rocking chair andgave her a brisk hug. “I was beginning to worry.”
“I told you she was fine, Mr. President. Justa temporary side effect.” Dr. Aaron Fuller, the physician who hadtaken care of her for as long as she could remember, patted Zia’scheek and smiled. “You don’t feel nauseous, do you, honey?”
“No.” She grimaced and tried to sit up. “Letme guess. The calmative made me sick again? Please don’ttell me I puked in front of the whole assembly.”
Her uncle gave a halfhearted chuckle. “Don’tyou remember? You passed out.”
“Oh . . .” She grimaced again. “I barelyremember anything, except . . . did Rem Stone win a bunch ofmedals?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Here, Zia. Have some water.” The doctorpressed a cup into her hand. “Just a few sips to start.”
She gulped greedily. “My throat’s so parched.How long was I unconscious?”
“Almost an hour,” Fuller said. “Just areaction to the calmative. Nothing to worry about.”
“So says you,” she muttered. “I’m mortified.Plus, I ruined Cadet Stone’s big day. I feel just awful about that.He must hate me even more now.”
“Why should he? You made him look like ahero,” her uncle drawled.
The disapproval in his tone surprised her.“How? By fainting?”
Jared reached for the controller on hernightstand. “Let’s let the vid do the talking, shall we?”
The far wall of her room lit up with an imageof the stage that had been built for the medal ceremony. After asweeping shot of the cadets—all of whom were on their feet—thefocus turned to Rem Stone. He was shaking hands with the dean, thenhe turned toward Zia, who stood in the background.
And to Zia’s mortification, she watchedherself faint dead away—right into Rem Stone’s waiting arms.
“Oh no.”
“We knew he had excellent reflexes, butstill, that was impressive,” the doctor joked.
Zia groaned as Rem gallantly scooped her upand carried her off the stage. He was strong and capable, hisexpression stoic. The audience watched in silence until he and Ziahad disappeared into a reception tent that had been set up next tothe stage.
“Ugh, what a disaster. Did he get his thirdmedal?”
Her uncle shrugged. “That was the last thingon our minds, frankly. But we can ask him. He’s rightdownstairs.”
“What?”
The doctor gave a nervous laugh. “He insistedon staying until we were sure you were all right. For some reason,he’s convinced he contributed to the stress of the event for you.He feels responsible.”
“Or so he says,” her uncle interrupted. “Myguess is he’s just trying to exploit this situation for as muchpublicity as possible. He knows that picture of you in hisarms—Quito and Stone together again—will be plastered on every vidscreen on Earth. Instant rehabilitation of the family name.”
“He didn’t need rehabilitation from us,” Ziaprotested. “He just won all three medals, remember? If anything, mypresence soured that for him. And he probably worries that you—orthe public—will hold my fainting against him.” She paused for adeep breath. “Someone should tell him I’m fine so he can meet upwith his friends and celebrate. And if he didn’t get the thirdmedal, make sure he does. Right away. Okay?”
“Doc, will you go?” her uncle asked. “GiveStone the good news and send him on his way. I’d like a few minutesalone with my niece.”
Uh-oh . . . Zia groaned. “Dr. Fuller,do I need to stay in bed?”
“You can get up if you’re careful. Don’t rushit.”
“Great.” She turned to her uncle. “I’ll justchange into something more comfortable and meet you in the Atrium.Okay?”
Jared hesitated, then nodded. “If you startfeeling wobbly, use the intercom and I’ll send someone to helpyou.”
“Thanks.”
He stared at her for a moment, then surprisedher by giving her another, warmer hug. “You scared me to death, youknow.”
“I did?”
He nodded. “You didn’t want to take thatdrug, but I forced it on you. When you collapsed, all I could thinkwas—well, it’s my job to keep you safe. Not put you in danger.”
She felt her cheeks redden. “I’m fine.”
“Thank God. I wouldn’t have forgiven myselfif you weren’t. I know we’re not close—not like we should be. But Ido love you, Zia. I hope you know that.”
“Wow.” Her eyes flooded with tears that wereas unexpected as her uncle’s passionate outburst. He was always soformal. Even when he displayed affection, it always seemed forcedand unnatural. But this . . .
This seemed so genuine.
“I love you too,” she told him, wiping hereyes and laughing at them both. “Good thing too, right? Becauseyou’re all I have, and vice versa. So get married and have somekids, will you? We clearly need a bigger family.”
The president grinned. “I’ll see what I cando. Take your time getting ready now. I’ll be waiting for you inthe Atrium.”
* * * *
As soon as she was alone, Zia slid out ofbed, anxious to shed her rumpled pink outfit in exchange for somecozy fleece. Discovering quickly that she was still lightheaded,she opted to
