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16
NIKATHY
Cosma led me out of the hidden passageway and toward the grand entrance of the estate. When we arrived, it was hardly recognizable. Falling debris littered the approach, and the regal gates hung askew. But worst of all was the oily burning of one wing of the main dwelling. There was a jagged outline where some part of a ship had torn straight through the walls at enormous speed, explaining all the noise we'd heard from underground. But that ship had been full of fuel, and now fire was rampaging its way through the thin walls and skittering across the roof as it searched for more to consume.
I struggled to find words as I took it all in, but I could feel Cosma's eyes on me, waiting for my reaction. Finally, I was forced into a coughing fit by the smoke, and my eyes watered.
When I righted myself and caught my breath, two things occurred to me simultaneously. First, we needed to stop the fire immediately. Every second that it burned, it gained ground, and we lost invaluable records from my father's estate. Second, Rhiannon was still inside, and I needed to get her out. There was no way for her to escape on her own.
Just the thought of her sent sensations through my nerves, and I licked my lips, wishing I could taste her again. I hadn't meant to kiss her. It was just something in the air down there. The fear? The adrenaline? Whatever it was, it had washed over me like a tsunami. And then I pressed up against her, feeling her heat. It ended just as quickly, and I felt ridiculous for even thinking about it again, knowing that it probably meant nothing to her.
I was sure she regretted it. When Cosma found us, Rhiannon had practically jumped out of my arms to get away from me, and wouldn't even meet my eyes. Probably, I had embarrassed her, and she didn't want to be alone with me because it might be awkward. That was why she had been so eager to send me away to check out the damage.
But the more I thought about her rejecting me, the more I wanted her. I wanted to run straight back in there and kiss her again this instant. Because it was becoming clear to me that there was nothing for me to do out here. The house was burning. The ships were battling. My people were as safe as they could be without proper preparation. And I was standing here, feeling helpless in the middle of it all.
Turning to Cosma, I did the only thing I knew to do. "Go. Stay hidden until I come find you."
"But the house..." she started, and I could see the sadness in her eyes as she looked past me through the doors, yearning to go back in. This had been her home, after all, and I felt guilty for forcing her out. But I didn't have time to explain my reasons. It wasn't safe, and I had to get back to Rhiannon.
"Don't worry," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder warmly. "I'll save as much as I can."
She hesitated for a moment longer, and then she threw her arms around my neck and clung to me tightly, sobs wracking her body. I patted her awkwardly on the back.
"Go," I whispered, releasing her and watching as she stumbled down the steps and out through the gates. From the other side, she gave me a wistful glance, and I raised a hand to wave, but she was already running for safety.
Relieved, I sucked in a deep breath, steeled myself for what was to come, and ducked back inside. Down one hall after another, I ran as fast as I could, keeping an arm over my mouth to stop from coughing. When I reached the narrow entrance of the control room, I shuffled sideways, worried at the amount of smoke that was already filling the cramped space.
When I made it through, Rhiannon was slumped in her chair. She sat up instantly at my arrival, and I saw the tears streaming down her face. This time, I didn't hesitate to drop to my knees, scooping her up and pressing my lips to her forehead.
"You're safe. I'm going to get you out of here."
She whimpered, her arms looping weakly around my neck as I shoved my way back out into the main hall. The crackling of the fire was louder now, and the smoke was so dense it was hard to see. I knew I should drop to my knees and crawl out, but with Rhiannon in my arms, there was no way to manage it. I was just going to have to make a run for the back door.
As I ran, I wracked my brain, trying to think of any way to stop the march of the flames chewing through the estate. There had to be something I could do.
We reached the back door and I kicked it open unceremoniously, letting us out into the back courtyard where the pools glittered in the night. Under any other circumstances, the scene may have been romantic, but right now, I could hardly appreciate the way the tiny waves lapped at the stone walkway.
"We need to stop the fire," Rhiannon croaked, falling into a fit of coughs before she could finish the thought. "If it gets any bigger, it'll be like a beacon to those Patrol ships. They'll know right where to aim."
"And how do you suppose we do that?" I asked, already feeling defeated.
"Can you get your hands on a drone?"
I looked down at her, scandalized. “Could I get my hands on a drone? What kind of question is that? I wouldn't be a proper smuggler if I couldn't," I answered, a mischievous smile turning up the corner of my mouth.
"Good. Let's go."
