Page 60 of A World Enough

“The rebellion thought they had won against them and broken their empire, but here they are, back and getting stronger by the day. Tonight, I had a glimpse of what a normal life could be like, with a friend, and it made me mourn for what I was missing.”

Brogan didn’t know what to say, so she pulled her into her arms. Camber was tense at first but then relaxed and threw her arms around Brogan’s neck. She began to sob and clung ever tighter, like holding on to a life raft.

Brogan ran her hands up and down Camber’s back, trying to soothe her. “It’s okay. I’ve got you, Camber.”

Brogan’s senses were going crazy being this close to Camber. The scent from her neck was beautiful. Wet rain in the morning, rolling in a meadow, and darker layers of shifting to skin.

The scent made her heart hammer as it made her think of kissing every part of Camber. She heard Camber moan as if it was happening now.

She pressed her nose into Camber’s hair. “I’m here, okay? We had a nice time tonight, and we’ll have one tomorrow with Ziggy.”

Camber pulled back, and Brogan cupped Camber’s cheek and ran her thumb over her cheekbone.

“Your presence makes me feel safer. I’ve never felt that before,” Camber said.

Then Camber inched slowly forwards until her lips pressed against Brogan’s. Brogan was shocked that Camber made this first step, but Brogan then pressed back and kissed her so softly.

Brogan kept the kiss soft even though she wanted to deepen it, because she was aware of not wanting to spook her.

And she was right to, because as bold as Camber started, she retreated quickly.

“Thanks for a nice night, Brogan. It’s special having you with me. I’m going to go to bed.”

“Okay. Have a restful sleep.”

As Camber walked away, Brogan said, “Camber, it was special having you with me too.”

Camber smiled and her body loosened up, Bragan could tell, as she skipped away to bed.

Chapter Twelve

“Can this heap of junk go any faster?” Morrigan said.

“Uh-oh,” Margot said, as Jhosa gave a low growl in his chest. Margot turned around and said, “I can protect you from many things, Morrigan, but you insult Jhosa’s precious shuttle?” She shook her head and made a clicking noise. “You might find yourself thrown out the airlock.”

Morrigan sighed. “Look, I’m just frustrated. We need to get Brogan.”

Thane sneered at her. “Is she your sweetheart?”

“No, she is not. I owe my friends a debt of honour. It was my brother’s fault that Brogan was thrown into the portal. And it was a billion-to-one shot that it was a realm that I would reach.”

“You don’t even know the meaning of the word ‘honour,’ ” Thane said.

Morrigan was exasperated. “Again, it wasn’t me. If I was queen and your planet was under attack, I would’ve helped you. But I can’t change that.”

“Morrigan, Thane, not another word on the past. What’s done is done.”

There was a loud beep from Margot’s controls. “A coded message from Queen Emaris. Take it in the back again, Morrigan. We can’t have our faces known outside of the rebellion. No disrespect to your mother.”

Morrigan nodded. She completely understood. They were taking a chance by even having an outsider on the mission with them.

“I will.”

She walked back to the sleep and changing area at the back of the shuttle. Morrigan sat and started the communication.

“Hello, Mother.”

Queen Emaris was smiling. “You have what you wanted. Cardo and his Drazani squad have been held up, much to their dissatisfaction. But the law is the law if you want to come through our space. My customs officials checked every panel and fuel rod in their ship. You have an extra day.”