He'd ended her willingness to compromise when he'd accepted the admiral position on the airship. Or at least it had been the beginning of the end.
Lots of marriages ended over work. Lots of spouses regretted it afterwards. Nate had deeply been sorry Sheena had disapproved of his acceptance of the position, but he'd had to do what he felt was necessary. When she'd left, he'd let her go without a terrible battle. There had been no other choice.
Until her arrival today, he honestly hadn't realized how much he'd been hoping the passage of time and some additional maturity would have put their mutual animosity to rest. Instead, it seemed like it might take another century or two before Sheena would be able to speak to him civilly. Thanks to her genetic tinkering on her family and him, their lives might last that long, but his patience probably wouldn't.
They stopped in front of Brianna's door. He made himself look at her again. The urge to hug her and reassure her things would work out for the best was so strong Nate could barely fight the urge. He locked his arms at his sides to keep from reaching out.
"Brianna went with Erin to the matchmaking office in the women's common area. You can wait here in her quarters. I'll send Darcone to escort her back. Angus and Erin's quarters are next door. You're going to want to remain here in Brianna's rooms if you truly plan to avoid them."
"Darcone?" Sheena asked, ignoring what she didn't want to discuss. "He's still around?"
Nate nodded. "Yes. I think he's given up anyone choosing him, but he's stayed anyway. You don't know what optimism is until you see how many of the aliens choose to remain in the program despite no one choosing to mate them."
"After all this time, I'm surprised you didn't just force some poor female to go with Darcone."
Nate's sigh was long and loud. "We don't do that, Sheena. Your parents wouldn't allow it. That was only done in the beginning which was over four damn centuries ago."
Sheena pushed open the door. "I know about the five year deadline. Don't lie to me, Nate. This whole situation is just as fucked up now as it was when it started. You, your mother, and the Guardians see these poor women who come to you for help as commodities. I'm sure telling yourself you're helping them lets you sleep at night, but it doesn't change the fact that you're buying planetary peace by bartering human females for it."
"The mating alliances keep New Earth safe," Nate argued.
Sheena shook her head. "There are a lot of us who think the price is too high. One day, you and people like you, are going to have to deal with us."
She pointed to the room and all four of her guards went inside. Sheena looked back at the man who had broken her heart. Nothing about him … absolutely nothing … had changed. Nate was just as handsome, and just as hard-hearted, as the day she'd left.
"We never did agree on this subject and we never will. Further argument will not gain either of us any ground. Thanks for letting me come here to help my sister. After I talk to Brianna, I'll let you know what I work out."
Nate sighed as the door closed behind the most frustrating woman he'd ever known. Knowing he still desired Sheena after all this time, and after all the hateful things she'd said to him, made him doubt his sanity. Giving in to McNamara Madness could too easily lead to him doubting every decision he'd ever made … starting with the one where he let Sheena MacNamara walk out of his life a hundred years ago.
"I can't believe Sheena is here," Bri said flatly, sighing over the future fight she knew waited for her in her quarters.
"Yes. In your room, she is," Darcone said, matching her tone.
Brianna looked up at him while they walked. "You speak my language much better than you give yourself credit for doing." Feeling obstinate, and wanting to slow him down, she looped her arm through Darcone's and dragged him to a near stop. "Please don't rush this. I need time to think about what I want to say to her."
His nod of understanding had her sighing again. Sheena was going to try and get her to leave. But she wasn't ready to leave. The Erin and Angus clones needed her. Plus, this was the safest she'd felt in a very long time. Being here was a true vacation from the rest of her dangerous life.
She tightened her grip on Darcone and saw him look down at her breast now resting against his arm. "Sorry," she said, easing away.
Not being a clingy type, she was just as surprised as he was by her action. She was more stunned when Darcone stopped completely and pulled her to a stop with no one than a hand on her arm. She kept forgetting how strong he was.