Page 78 of Commander’s Mate

“That does not mean she would not like you.”

Harper reached across the table.

Stopped before my hand.

I turned my palm upward.

Her fingers settled into mine.

Not fate. Not instinct. Choice.

I closed my hand around hers.

“If we find Earth,” I said, “I will tell you everything.”

“I know.”

“No. I need to say it differently.”

She waited.

“If we find a route that can take you home, I will not delay it because I fear losing you. I will not decide you are safer without knowing. I will not ask Tivid to hide a result from you.”

Her fingers tightened.

“That’s a terrifying promise.”

“Yes.”

“For both of us.”

“Yes.”

She breathed out slowly.

“Then I’ll make one too.”

“What?”

“If we find your family, I won’t assume they want to come back to whatever Farseek becomes. They get to choose too.”

The words struck deeper than I expected.

Rescue was not restoration.

A person returned from captivity did not become property of home simply because home had loved them first.

Meya had been my sister before the Sargans took her.

If we found her, she would still be my sister.

But whatever came after would belong to her.

I lifted Harper’s hand to my mouth.

Not seduction—gratitude.

“Thank you.”