I laugh. “Soft is not what I would call him.”
Eluni blushes and looks away, and Blaize screeches to a halt and peers back into the room, scanning between Aura and me.
Aura points at Blaize. “Ooh, she got you!”
Blaize shakes his head and grins. “I like your female, Aura. She’s funny, fits in here.”
“Pretty sure he’s the one thatfits,” I counter. “It’s tight, though.”
“Stars!” Eluni sets down two pairs of polished boots and practically throws herself out of the room. “Too much information!”
The door closes between us.
Aura picks up his boots and lifts a hand. “High five, sexy.”
When I slap his palm, he snags my hand, pulls me close, and kisses me with force. “Every time I think I can’t love or want you more, you find a way to change my mind.”
Fieri is docking Allele when we step out of the room, fully dressed. Blaize stands guard by the ramp as Allele lowers it.
“Where’s Talros?” I ask.
“Resting. His arm is broken,” Eluni replies.
“Eleven is with him,” Blaize offers. “Serum should help.”
“You seem to have a lot of it,” I remark.
“True.” Aura rubs my back. “Elix and I are blood-brothers. He gives me a secret supply. I help him take out bad guys. Keep that to yourself.”
I nod but feel like Talros got the shit end of this deal. Abducted by Denarso. Broken arm. And all but one of his RAMs are gone, working elsewhere.
Blaize sees me looking at the door to Tal’s quarters. “He’s fine. Eluni has been caring for him.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” Blaize waggles his brows. “Think they’re hitting it off. I mean, come on. Bomb girl meets droid boy? What could go wrong?”
“Or very right.” Aura looks contemplative. “Anyway, we should get going.”
“Wait,” Jorusk hands us each a band. “I made some simple communicators apart from the ABR network so you two can talk if you get separated. If you need help, press the button. If you can’t speak, it will still ping us, and we’ll come after you.”
“Why stay through all of this?” Aura takes a band from Jorusk. “All I did was promise to get you to your ship.”
Jorusk rests a hand on his shoulder. “You defended me, listened to my argument. That means a lot. And I saw what was happening to your people. I know this struggle well. It is a battle worth fighting. Be safe, my friend.”
Jorusk hands me mine, and I place the band around my wrist, just distal to my gauntlet. “Thanks Jorusk.”
“My pleasure, Princess.”
I frown at him. “Jorusk.”
“I know.Don’t call me that.” He wrinkles his nose. “But you cannot deny how others view you. So while I understand you to be like Aura, you must both accept the influence you have. Do not misuse it. You can destroy progress, or you can lead it. That is up to you and your actions.”
Eluni crosses her arms and looks over Jorusk. “You sure you’re not a Royal guard?”
Aura takes my hand and leads me back into the complex while Jorusk and Eluni talk.
ABR guards greet us just inside.
