“No.” I shake my head in amusement. “You’re not. You’re going to shower and eat dinner. And then, because I can see how red your eyes are, you cheeky urchin, I suspect you’re going to have an early night.”
He pleads with those eyes I love so much, but I’m not having it. The day has been a lot. We shopped for clothes, toiletries, treats, and games. It might be two days from Novus Junction to Red Horizon, but I don’t know what to expect once we land. I’d rather be prepared. Plus, being able to wear clothes that actually fit me was too good an opportunity to give up.
Vee doesn’t even bother to argue, and that’s how I know he’s knackered. A satisfied smile curls his mouth as he holds up his arm, admiring the new band encircling his wrist. It’s a beautiful, slender piece, technically plain but certainly not bland. It’s made of the same material as the jewellery that Tanisira, Devyaan, and even the Archival brothers wear: Maritium. Somehow, I’d never asked about it, lost in the sea of questions I had, but Vee knew all about the precious metal. Of course. Now I know aboutVahrin—the sentiment of the concept and the utter beauty of the material—and Vee has a token of his time on theMidas.
“You chose well.” I smile, taking his wrist and turning the band to the light. It was soldered on; he was adamant he’d never want to remove it.
“It’s not the same whenne-domaswear it.”
Outsiders. The term isn’t a hostile one, merely a reference to those who aren’t native to Suryavana.
“I know, baby, but I think Tanisira and Dev will appreciate it.”
His smile sends sparks through my heart. God, I love this kid. We fall into a contented silence as Vee taps away at his game. Beau had messaged to say they’d meet us here, and, glad for the respite, I survey the hub around us. There are voices mingling with the continuous advertisements that pop up, station announcements, and hundreds of people milling around—yet it’s not a fast-paced environment, unlike any station I’ve seen in England. It’s oddly calming to see leisure in everyone’s gait.
Through the bodies crisscrossing in front of me, I spot the flash of a familiar face. It’s the first time I’ve seen Tanisira since this morning, and I’m disgusted to say that it sends my stomach into a flip. Somehow, I’m in this place where her face just does that: makes me stupidly pleased to see her.
I’m also burning with curiosity.
If I crane my neck, I can just about make out the stall she patronises. It’s one of the clothing booths run by small business owners, in contrast to the franchises on the upper floors. The crowds are too thick for me to see more without actively getting up. I’m tempted to nose around, but I have a suspicion Tanisira will immediately catch me out. She’s like a fucking ninja.
“Hey, gorgeous. Little man.”
Beau pops up in front of me, blocking my view of our sneaky captain. Their cheeks are flushed, eyes bright. Vee bumps a fist against Beau’s and stands, eager to leave the bustling concourse, and I’m struck by a sudden decision.
“You sure made use of those accounts, huh?” Beau whistles, taking in all the bags. “You know, you could have had these brought to the ship? Dominik is like... royalty here.”
“I said that!” Vee cried. “But Mum said Tanisira’s warning had spooked her.”
“Whoops. Maybe she overdid it, but it’s very safe in here. It’s out there that’s dangerous.” Beau laughs. “Ready to go?”
“Actually, can I ask you a favour?” I tilt my head.
I wouldn’t say I’m turning on the charm, but a smile goes a long way. Beau’s flirted shamelessly with me from the beginning; I might as well use that a little.
They grin. “You can ask me anything.”
Standing so that I catch glimmers of Tanisira in my peripheral vision, I lean in. “Could you please take Vee back with you? I have some errands to run that I didn’t want to do with him.”
“Ah.” Uncertainty tinges their expression. “I don’t know... I really should stay with you until you’re ready to head back. The cap—”
“Beau, I’ll be fine. I promise. Besides, Vee’s so tired, and I don’t know how long I’ll be. I’ll head straight back once I’m done, and I’ll let you know when I’m on the way.”
It’s shitty of me, and I’m not proud of it, but I lie through my damn teeth. Beau mulls over it, glancing at Vee, then at all the bags before coming back to me. Finally, they nod, following up with a finger pointed right at me.
“Straight back, please, or Cap will have my guts for garters.”
I stand on tiptoes and press a kiss to their cheek, itching to get going before my quarry disappears. “You have my word.”
It’s endearing to watch the flush that had adorned their cheeks slowly course down their neck. At heart, Beau is a little darling. In the corner of my eye, Tanisira starts to edge away from the stall. My pulse picks up. In a last-second dash of brilliance, I turn back to Beau as I snatch up one of the bags, remove all of the outfits minus one and swing it onto my shoulder.
“Hey, uh, just so I don’t accidentally get you in trouble by bumping into her, do you know where Tanisira will be?”
“Oh.” They wave a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry. She had me book her a room at The Tower tonight, she’ll be long gone by now.”
Bingo.
Beau orders a courier bot to take the bags back to the ship and heads after it with Vee in tow. I kiss my boy goodnight and speed off in the direction I saw Tanisira head. With my height, it’s not easy to make my way through the throng of bodiesandmaintain my compass. By the time I reach the other side of the hub, Tanisira is nowhere to be seen. But, with a grim sort of satisfaction, I know where she’ll be.
