Her eyes fill with pain, enough that I think she wishes she could join us. And she isn’t the only Amphiran watching me from the back alley of the market. Many faces, young and old, look on with desperation that eats at me. I wish I could free them all, but I fear any action I take will only bring them more wrath from the Royals.
“Where will you go?” Ephinium asks.
“I have a vacation planned and some friends among the stars.”
“Who will I get to open the tazalka jars for me every Monday morning?” she asks.
Too many of our females are alone. I help the ones I can. “Maybe you and Cale can tag team. His crew is next up for the civilian rotation.”
“This feels all wrong.” Ephinium hands me the bag. I sneak her a stack of credit chips from my pocket. She looks at them, and her eyes tear up. “Aura, no. I can’t take this.”
“I have worked for others and saved my own credits,” I tell her. “I take nothing from Royal accounts because that’s the people’s money, not mine. I earn my way, or I go hungry.”
Cale watches from the alley, checking over his shoulder like he’s afraid we’ll get caught.
“And I have not renounced my family. My heart remains Amphiran,” I tell her. “It just doesn’t agree with monarchs because there’s no room for discussion or collaboration with them. In this era, I believe we need to pool all ideas, or we will not maximize our potential options.”
“You are an honorable Amphiran. Viestria, the mother of all Storms, would be proud to call you a son of the old ways.”Ephinium takes my hand in hers and rests her forehead on the back of it as is customary of peasants to Royals.
I’ve never liked the gesture.Thisfeels wrong.
Ephinium’s lips quiver. “You have an old soul in your young heart. I hope you find peace out there. We will miss you.”
I do not know if she is scared or tired or lonely, likely all three. And yet she still feeds me when she has far less than I do.
Her Storm is a pale wisp of light over her skin. Mine begs me to draw her against me for a hug. I cave to its needs because it’s what I want, too. “I’m sorry I lost my cool in front of your bakery. I hope I did not hurt you or break anything.”
Ephinium hesitates to return my gesture and lets out a nervous laugh. “You have no idea how much hope you just gave us.”
Hope? That’s impossible.
“Call on me if you are in trouble.” I tap my wristband to hers, giving her Allele’s contact information. Then I kiss her forehead as is customary of young males saying goodbye to female elders.
I know she lost her son when he was young, taken from her for the military efforts as Nebulous Empire attacks increased. She’s never spoken about her mate. Many commoners don’t.
“Aura,” she whispers. “Your Storm feels unstable.”
An electric arc dances off my arm into her shoulder.What the shit?
I push back. “I’m sorry, Ephinium. I must go. It’s no longer safe for me to stay.”
All I wanted was to comfort her. Instead, my Storm did the opposite.
Touching her was a bad idea. My power is growing uncontrollable, so I hurry away from her and back into my ship. I toss the bag of food into Blaize’s hands as the others load into Allele behind me.
“Aura?” Ephinium calls after me, but Allele’s closing up. We launch quickly.
I’m sorry, Ephinium. Everyone.I’m sure it doesn’t look good to see the prince of one’s mothership disowned and fleeing with a perceived criminal.
I’m letting down hundreds of thousands of Amphirs onTiatith. Word will spread that Prince Aurelius has left his post, taken an alien off-world, and is now disowned by his father for refusing a match. They will think I am the enemy.
Maybe I am.
Get us out of here, Allele.
Once I’m inside, Allele closes the door to the discharge chamber and locks it. No one will get in or out until I am safe to be in contact with others.
And finally, I can let go.
