I didn’t know what that meant. I could only assume whatever the Mindonsiphan did allowed the aging process to slow or perhaps showed us what we wanted to see, to believe. I didn’t interrupt as Maya continued to speak.
“The government doesn’t know of our existence – it’s better this way. On a map we are old towns, obliterated during the Fourth World War. We made sure to rebuild in dead cities so we would be unseen by those watching. I know much of this is new and confusing. Please understand we did this to test your ability and commitment to your team and to the rebel city. You showed a great level of respect, Olivia. When Margo was picked on by Cate you stood up for her. We admire bravery. We also admire that you didn’t join in, that you weren’t mean to Margo or to any of the other recruits. Being competitive is acceptable, but being cruel or unjust is not. That’s why we asked Aidan to do what he did to Joshua,” Maya explained. “Had Joshua not ducked, I would have averted the arrow at the last possible moment.”
Somehow I doubted it, but I kept my mouth shut.
Maya continued, “The procedure you underwent makes you special and makes you like one of us. It’s a rare gift that will excel not only your natural abilities, but will also allow us to win the war against the government. We couldn’t wait much longer to administer it though, because of its importance in brain development during your teenage years. Unfortunately, neither of you is getting any younger,” she remarked. “Our community of cities is small, but we are a great force. Together with the technology of the new world and the wisdom of the old world, we are stronger than the government. You were both brave for the procedure and the skills test afterwards.”
“I thought it was training,” I admitted, shooting a confused look at Joshua.
“If you knew we were testing you it would have changed the results,” Maya smiled faintly. Chancellor Collins spoke up, “Same with the tests of honesty, integrity and self-worth. You offered yourself to protect Joshua. We know and recognize the value placed on you because of how you came into this world.” He stared oddly at me, “You are incredibly special, Olivia. You have no idea the impact you can have on society in our world.”
Just a short time ago I’d been an ordinary eighteen-year-old girl. Except the reality was, I wasn’t ordinary. I was anything but ordinary. I was aberrant. I couldn’t help but make a face in disgust. “I have no desire to breed just to help the rebel alliance.” It was the truth. If they expected me to become pregnant for their agenda, I would leave and Joshua would come with me. If I had to fight my way out of the room, I would.
“We’d never ask of you anything we wouldn’t do ourselves.” Jaxon nodded.
I rolled my eyes. “No offense, Jaxon, but you’re a boy. You can’t exactly have children,” I retorted.
Elsa sighed. “No one can, Olivia. That’s the point. Without science meddling, none of us can bear children. We’re not asking you to have children. We’re not asking you to give them up to us like the government would demand, either.” She made it clear what they expected of me. “We just need a few body scans. Our technology can do the rest. We’re looking for a cure.”
Joshua spoke up, “And what happens after you take these scans, and it’s not enough? What if it doesn’t give you the answers you want? What then? And why bother making either of us special if you just plan on letting us go.”
Chancellor Collins laughed softly. “We have no intention of letting either of you go. I’m sorry if that’s what you thought. You’ve been mistaken. We would prefer you to be on our side, to help us wage war and fix this severely broken system. Of course the choice is yours. We can do this willingly or we can force you into submission, take what we need and leave you both rotting in a cell until the war is over.”
I knew he wasn’t joking. The bile rose in my throat and I swallowed it down. “I’ll do the scans, but frankly, I don’t see why you didn’t do that when you performed the procedure. That was certainly against my will,” I remarked.
Elsa spoke up cheerfully, “We didn’t know you were Olivia Parker. We weren’t really sure who you were. Perhaps some of us hoped it was true, but it seemed impossible.”
“It’s Olivia Warren now,” I reached for Joshua’s hand giving it a squeeze.
Everyone at the table looked at one another.
“What?” I asked confused.
Elsa glanced at me curiously, “The marriage ceremony, it went through?”
I nodded slowly, wondering why all the looks and quiet whispers. “Yes. Though Haven refused to see us as married.”
Chancellor Collins spoke up, “It’s neither here or nor there,” he waved his hands. “If you shall choose to be wed, that is your decision, and we will have a ceremony to make it such. If you choose not to be, then so be it.”
Joshua glanced at me. “You won’t separate us?”
Elsa laughed. “Why would we? You two have been acting pretty cozy lately, but we had no idea the ceremony had commenced. With the timing on your escape, it was rumored you were newlyweds. No one knew for certain.”
Joshua squeezed my hand, grinning at me. “Marry me?”
I laughed softly and chewed the bottom of my lip raw. “Seriously?”
“Yes.” Joshua’s eager smile and shining eyes made my heart leap.
I shifted in my seat as I reached toward him, my thumb stroking his jaw. My eyes met his piercing blue stare. He looked like himself, but what did I know? “You took truth serum, Josh.” I glanced down at his lips with a soft laugh and back up at again at his eyes. “Maybe it’s the drug talking.”
“It isn’t.” He stared at me, convinced he was entirely in control. “I’ll ask you a thousand times over.” His gaze refused to waver. “I love you.” I swallowed the lump in my throat.
I nodded faintly. It was no secret. “I love you, too.” My cheeks blushed as I ignored all eyes on us in the room. “I don’t think this is the right place, though, for you to ask me to marry you.” It wasn’t that I expected some huge romantic gesture. I just didn’t want there to be any regrets. He didn’t have to marry me. He had a choice, we all did here. It was what made this place special.
“What?” He pulled back, though only slightly, and my hand fell into my lap.
“No,” I sighed, seeing his shift and change in behavior. “Josh,” I scooted closer as my hands found his arms. I gave him a light squeeze, drawing his attention back at me. “I love you,” I stared at him, willing him to look at me. “You know that.” He nodded slowly, realizing what I was telling him. It wasn’t only because he’d said the words that I felt it necessary to reciprocate the gesture. “I just think the truth serum,” I paused. “It’s unfair to either of us. I don’t want to take advantage of you.” I confessed. “I’d never forgive myself.”
“Then believe me when I tell you I want to marry you.” His eyes bore into mine.
I felt the wind knocked out of me and nodded ever so slightly. “Okay.” I did believe him. Maybe it was the fact we shared a connection greater than ever before with the Mindonsiphan. I could feel his heart beat with mine in the same rhythm. I shifted forward, brushing my nose against his, ever so softly.
“Is that a yes?” he whispered, caught up in the moment as he leaned down and brushed my lips with his. The kiss was warm and inviting. It wasn’t filled with curiosity and question, but hope and wonder.
I nodded vigorously as I wrapped my arms around his build, pulling him in for a hug. “Josh,” I whispered, burying my lips against his ear. I could feel his heart skip a beat against my chest. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”