A sad smile spreads across my face. “You forgive me? So easily for something so awful?”
“Don’t worry about me. It sounds more like you need to forgive yourself.”
We ride next to each other in silence, both of us deep in thought.
“I’m sorry if I made you feel like trying to save the brethren was wrong. I don’t blame you for delaying our escape from the brethren. You were trying to do the right thing and what matters is we got away without anyone being returned to the gods.”
Bri cracks a smile but narrows her eyes at me. “I think it’s time for what humans call a ‘do over’. If that is what we are doing, you’re gonna have to go back farther than that,” she tells me with zero anger in her tone.
“Hi, Bri. I am happy to see you unharmed here at the space station. Would you care to return to j’Tilak with me?” I say, making my voice sound overdone and sarcastic.
“Farther,” she says, laughing.
I pause, just now realizing I really messed shit up before that. I swallow hard, and take a deep breath.
“Do I need to apologize for the night of the party?” I ask. Time stands still while I wait for her answer and for what it might mean for our future.
“No. Not that. I liked that. But what I didn’t like is how you totally brushed me off afterwards!” she says. Damn, her vulnerability is a superpower.
“I liked it too. I thought you regretted it, so I avoided talking about it.”
“We both fucked up there, didn’t we? But don’t let me stop you from your continued apology.” She says with a laugh that sounds like music.
“Hi, I’m Tai. I’m in a foul fucking mood because Aro kicked my ass in training and is dragging me to the rec room to be his wingman so he can flirt with his mate and you are here and getting the brunt of it.” I put my hand out awkwardly imitating the uniquely human gesture.
“Almost there,” she says and looks forward again, leaving my hand hanging there.
I clear my throat.
“Welcome to j’Tilak. I’m Tai, and I’ll be taking you to the muraDome. Please dispose of your vomit here in this receptacle.”
“Hi, I’m Bri.” She looks back at me with a smile. She takes my hand roughly and shakes it up and down.
“See? That wasn’t so hard,” she says and faces forward again.
“Now, your turn.”
“I don’t have anything to apologize for,” she says.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” I practically shriek in frustration.
Her shoulders shake and the laugh she was holding bursts out. “Hi, I’m Bri. I’m feeling a bit cooped up here in the muraDome, and out of boredom I’m going to pester you because it’s the best entertainment I’ve had in months,” she says.
That’s a very accurate description of the first time we really got to know each other.
“We’ve been terrible to each other, haven’t we?” I ask.
“A little bit,” Bri says. “It’s okay. I kinda liked it.”
We both go quiet. Inside I feel a sense of relief.
“What’s that?” Bri points forward, finally seeing the cliff ahead.
“Thatis where we are going. The Veilfall.” I shift uncomfortably on my h’axom. My legs went numb hours ago. “Let’s take a quick break.”’
I slide off Brutus’s back in one swift motion. I hurry to Bri’s side before she can attempt the dismount on her own.
Her face has smudges of dirt across her cheeks, and she’s glistening with sweat. She has never looked more beautiful.
