And beneath us—nothing.
No deck.
No gravity.
The instant we crossed the threshold, our feet drifted free of the floor. Naeris gave a startled squeal that dissolved into delighted laughter. “By the stars!”
Before she could spin away, I slid an arm around her waist and anchored her to me.
“I have you,” I murmured.
Her dark eyes shone with wonder. “I know.”
The trust in those two words nearly brought me to my knees. Nearby, Ella pushed off from Zapharos and spun in a graceful arc, her dark brown hair floating around her like a halo. “This is amazing!”
Nadine, of course, had already produced her scanner.
“Remarkable,” she cried, rotating slowly as she studied her readings. "There appears to be no measurable local gravitational field. Directed motion seems to be governed by conscious manipulation of ambient energetic matrices.”
Ella threw up her hands, which sent her drifting backward. “Nadine.”
Nadine continued as though she had not spoken. “The implications for interstellar propulsion are extraordinary.”
Ella laughed. “Oh, just enjoy it for crying out loud! Nadine, we’re flying!”
For the first time, Nadine looked away from her scanner. Her eyes widened. Then a rare, unguarded smile transformed her face. “We are.”
Dravok caught her as she drifted, drawing her against him with unmistakable possessiveness. Zapharos did the same with Ella, his stern expression softened by a devotion I understood all too well.
Naeris wriggled in my arms. “Put me down.”
“You are technically not down.” I corrected.
She laughed and pushed free before I could stop her. My heart lurched. She floated outward, dark curls billowing around her, her eyes shining brighter than the stars around us. She threw her arms wide and tipped backward into the void. A delighted scream tore from her throat. For one irrational instant, panic seized me. Then I felt her joy. Unfiltered and radiant through our bond. She wasn't reckless. She was alive.
I exhaled and let myself watch her.
She turned weightlessly, spinning through the crystalline chamber like she had been born for the stars. Every burst of laughter, every breathless gasp of wonder filled me with a fierce pride I could scarcely contain. This female, who had survived a lifetime of captivity and cruelty, was laughing in the heart of Nox Eternum. She was utterly, unfathomably fearless.
“My Aelyth,” I whispered.
She caught my eye and grinned. The sight struck me with such force that I forgot, for a moment, the war surrounding us. I had never seen anything more beautiful.
The other males looked no better. Zapharos watched Ella as though she were the center of creation itself. Dravok’s usual reserve had given way to unmistakable tenderness as Nadine floated in his arms.
For a few precious moments, we allowed them this joy. Allowed ourselves this joy.
Then the warmth vanished from the bond. A cold warning sliced through me. I turned. The shadows were moving. Beyond the crystalline walls, darkness thickened into countless forms.Mmuhr’Rhongs were gathering like a living storm. Their black bodies writhed and multiplied, racing toward the Portal from every direction.
My blood turned to ice. “Naeris.”
She looked at me instantly. I launched myself toward her, gathering her against my chest just as Zapharos’ voice rang through the chamber. “Enough.”
The Praetor’s power surged. Golden light engulfed us. Naeris wrapped her arms around my neck as reality folded. For one suspended heartbeat, we flew. Not drifting this time. Flying. Naeris threw back her head and screamed again. The sound was not fear. It was pure, unrestrained delight. I laughed aloud, unable to contain my pride in my extraordinary Aelyth.
The world snapped back into focus. Solid ground appeared beneath our feet as we materialized inside Zapharos’ palace. Naeris was still laughing. Her cheeks were flushed, her curls wild, and her eyes sparkled with exhilaration.
She looked up at me, breathless. “We are definitely doing that again.”
