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“Oh.”
“You’re going to be just fine, Sunshine.”
“No, I’m not. I need to go meet Marlee and Aunt Blair before they’re overwhelmed by that docking ceremony.”
“I talked to Atlas a week ago,” says Nico. “He assured me they would forgo the ceremony in light of the circumstances.”
“Thank goodness.” I’m off the bed and pulling on my most human-looking tunic and leggings.
I sit in the front seat of the omada. “Are we sure the guest rooms are finished? You pulled out all your?—”
“There is no more agent tech left in the apartment, Sunshine. And the rooms you’ve prepared for your family are perfect.”
“Okay.”
We pilot around the sculpture garden, and an idea forms. But it will have to wait.
The docking dome where we park the omada is massive. And mostly empty. Which gives me hope that there really is no ceremony.
Castor helps me out of the omada, holding my gloved hand. I seriously doubt that my developing mark is a secret to anyone anymore, but it’s one less thing to explain to Marlee and Aunt Blair. Together, the five of us walk down the long hallway, past the docking viewing stands and straight up to where the bridge will attach to the sub. There are only a few males here. Atlas, of course. Michio, who glares at Eros. They’re both still angry at each other over Marina. She’s been nothing but tears since she got back.
“She looks good,” Castor says to Nico. And I know they’re talking about the Centauri.
“There’s a scuff mark on the starboard aft. What the hell is Broderick doing to her?” I know Nico’s happy being with us, but part of him will always be the hard-ass commander of the Centauri.
“She’s a fine-looking sub,” I say.
“You’re not jealous, are you, Sunshine?”
“Of a sub?” I laugh. “No.”
The bridge moves just as a few more males jog up to the platform, including Forrest and his youngest mate. I eye him, giving him the I-know-what-you’re-doing look. Delmar Mason waves at me. He was really nice when we danced at my first ball. He gave me a telescoping trident. And he took it really well that I wasn’t going to accept a pre-made pod. But yeah. No. I’m not letting that shit happen to Marlee, either. I knew a little then, but I know a heck of a lot more now. I cock my head at Delmar, cross my arms over my chest, and shake my head no.
Delmar shrugs as if to say, “we’ll see.” We’ll see, my ass.
When I turn back to the bridge, Broderick is walking across it. There’s no formal line, no Dorian music. But Broderick still goes to Atlas and greets him in the traditional way. And then around the corner comes Aunt Blair. She’s wearing an everyday traditional dress, like something Ophelia might wear. But something’s different. Aunt Blair looks twenty years younger than when I saw her last. Her hair is braided around the crown of her head. And she’s smiling.
I can’t take it. I take off running for her. I run past the governors and the others at the bottom of the gangplank, straight into her arms. Tears are flowing down my cheeks. “Auntie. Oh, you’re here. You’re finally here.” I hold her shoulders and lean back to look at her.
“I am. This is the most amazing adventure. I’m just... I can’t even begin to elaborate on all the things we’ve seen.” Blair turns around. “Now, where is Marlee?”
“I’m here,” comes her voice from out of sight. “I got caught in that tube thingy.”
“Oh, that’s the worst,” I project down the bridge, although I still don’t see Marlee.
She turns the corner. Her hair is loose around her shoulders, and she’s wearing tight-fitting jeans and a black hoodie with a skull on it. I leave my aunt and run up to her. She wraps her arms around me and squeezes.
“You look good,” I say.
“Thanks. Kappler said he could make me whatever I wanted.”
“Well, you look good.” The jeans and hoodie can stay, but I’m going to have to braid her hair or she’s going to have a trail of males a mile long behind her. I glance back at the dock. Forget it; it’s not going to matter. She’s going to have a trail of males behind her no matter what. “Okay, let’s get you to my apartment. I’m sure you’re tired after?—”
“I’m not tired. I’ve never been less tired. I’d love to meet some of these men—males—down on the dock.” Aunt Blair squeezes my hand and leaves Marlee and me standing on the platform.
“Mom’s gone a little boy crazy. It’s cool but weird. Cool and weird. But you know she deserves it. So, good for her.”
“And how about you? How are you doing?”
