Page 157 of Reaper Said Mine

The sadness in her smile makes my chest ache.

"You keep carrying responsibility for things other people decided."

The words hit too close.

I look away.

"Horus IV wasn't your fault."

Her expression tightens.

"No."

"But you've spent years carrying it anyway."

For a moment neither of us speaks.

The truth belongs to both of us.

Different tragedies.

The same burden.

Eventually Ursa laughs softly.

"We are a mess."

"Yes."

"A very attractive mess."

My eyebrows rise.

She grins.

"I said what I said."

I feel myself smiling despite everything.

"Bold."

"I've nearly been assassinated twice."

"Once."

"Emotionally, several times."

"By whom?"

"Dawson mostly."

That earns a genuine laugh. The sound surprises both of us. The tension slowly leaves my shoulders. Outside the viewport, a patrol ship arcs through the darkness. Ursa watches it for a few seconds.m Then she leans her head against my shoulder.

The simple weight of her settles something deep inside me. Not all at once or perfectly, but enough.

"What's your future look like?" she asks.

The question catches me off guard.