“What are you going to say to Gryphon when you see him?” I ask.
For a moment, the rage in her expression banks, and she looks lost. Her mouth opens, closes. “I don’t know. But I have to say something. He’s spent the last decade trying to keep me on the back foot, trying to disregard my wishes when it comes to parenting Vee, and I’m sick of it. Maybe it was a blessing that we had to complete this journey; I don’t know that I would’ve considered finally taking a stand otherwise.”
She clenches her fists. “I need him to take me seriously.”
“I don’t plan to get in the way of that.”
“Maybe not, but... thinking of this in terms of something that’s drawing to a close can only help. Right?”
A moment passes where we quietly watch each other like animals scoping each other out. I look into her chestnut brown eyes and see only Vee. Straightening my spine, I gather anyargument I might have had and tuck them away, I nod instead and make myself reply.
“Right.”
Glass Veins
Devyaan usually keeps breakfast simple, setting out a selection for people to help themselves to. He outdoes himself today—knowing we’ll be restocking at Novus—in the hopes that theCravencrew will be early risers.
They’re not. They find their way to the galley whilst most of us are clearing our plates. Vee is the one who alerts everyone, elbowing Beau in the ribs, eyes wide. My comms officer looks up, busts out a megawatt grin and stands to usher the trio in. As names are exchanged and niceties are voiced, I can’t help but pay attention to the way Marlowe watches Liz. It seems contemplative. Liz catches her eye, gives an apologetic shrug, and Marlowe smiles. There isn’t a trace of animosity in it.
“What’s that about?” Khrys asks me, eyeing the blue-haired woman.
I should be relieved, but it reinforces that Marlowe’s just waiting for this affair, for lack of a better word, to end.
“I’m not sure,” I say.
And I don’t have time to figure it out because Maximus bends over Marlowe’s outstretched hand, lips pressed to her skin. She looks shocked but smooths away any sign of laughter by the time he rises. I freeze, watching. Those golden eyes seem to be everywhere all at once, and I see her inspecting them. She throws her head back and laughs. He flashes a sheepish smile, and she leans in conspiratorially, but there’s too much noise in the galley for me to hear.
I wouldn’t call what I feel jealousy, but it’s certainly an unease of some kind.
A shift beside me steals my focus. It’s Julian, wedged into a chair and watching his brother just as intently as I was. Unlike Liz and Maximus, he hasn’t relaxed even an iota since boarding, and his eyes are still vaguely bloodshot. I’m tempted to ask him about Maximus, but his posture doesn’t invite conversation. If they are brothers, they’re perfect opposites.
Despite flirting with Marlowe like his life depends on it, Maximus sits beside Julian to eat. Questions start flying around the room. It’s a little awkward at first but with Beau, who never stops talking, and Devyaan, who never stops smiling, it doesn’t take long for the tension to melt away. Khrys and Maximus start an animated conversation and I try not to be too glad.
Instead, I survey my crew and wonder how amenable they’d be to changing employers. The thought sends a frisson down my spine, a welcome change from the discomfort of insecurity. This is me doing more than daydreaming; this is me starting to believe in myself. I didn’t expect the crew to become so important, and I’d enjoy having them with me.
I’d need to tell them what Gryphon did. Not because they might not leave such a cushy job, but because it’s the right thing to do. But that’s not my decision to make; I’d need Marlowe’s permission first.
As if she’s been summoned, Marlowe stands, stretching her arms overhead. She catches my eye and jerks a thumb over her shoulder. With a wry look, she says, “Repairs?”
I shouldn’t have done such an intense workout because my body aches, but I clamber up anyway. “Of course.”
Liz’s head snaps up. “Wait, that sounds like something I can help with.”
I tilt my head, considering. “You should take this time to rest.”
“Eurgh, please?” she says to the overhead. “I’m going stir-crazy, and it’s only been a few hours. I’m not used to sitting around doing nothing.”
I check with Marlowe, and she simply shrugs. Liz is a pilot with years of experience under her belt, a DIYer with no budget for specialists. Despite that, I hesitate. I like my time alone with Marlowe, even when she’s ignoring me. Common sense wins out in the end, and Liz grins and leaps up. As she does so, I catch Maximus pressing a hand to Julian’s arm. The Suryavan man turns to Beau.
“Since we’re all being helpful, would you mind showing me to the bridge? I have a few thousand messages or so to send.”
Beau, never one to say no to a pretty face, is eager to oblige. As Julian starts to follow, Devyaan closes a hand around his arm and titters good-naturedly. He’s a tall man, but Julian easily dwarfs his lithe form, so it’s surreal to watch Julian stop as though Devyaan has any strength on him.
“He’ll be fine. Why don’t you stay with me? I’ll show you around.”
I open my mouth to tell him that Khrys already volunteered when a sharp elbow catches me right in the soft flesh of my side. I whirl on Marlowe, but she cups my chin and turns me swiftly back around. A blush stains the tips of Julian’s ears. It makes an interesting contrast to his demeanour.
Oh.Oh.
