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Elizabeth came back the next day. She said they’d had trouble in Glaerus, but that things had ended favorably.
There was just one little problem.
“We’ve picked up two new passengers for our trip,” Elizabeth explained. “Our ship wasn’t built to handle more than four people. By stretching the life support and stopping more frequently, we can add one more person, but that’s it. Rex isn’t happy about pushing the ship’s limits, but I promised you that I would bring you home Nova, so that’s what we’ll do.”
“Nova’s staying here,” Altair said, his voice cold and final.
Elizabeth looked at Nova for confirmation.
Her stomach churned. She had to leave. She was in danger on Mudden.
“It’s Nova’s decision,” Elizabeth said.
Altair squeezed her hand so tight, it was getting painful.
“Altair, can we talk in private?”
He nodded and they walked off, out of earshot.
“Nova, you can’t go.” His voice wasn’t cold anymore, not for her. It was full of emotion and that emotion was fear.
“Altair, it’s not safe here. If anyone finds out who I am, I’m dead.”
“I will protect you. Do you trust me?”
She nodded her head.
“Yes, but you don’t have infinite power. Come with me.”
“You heard them, there’s no room.”
“You’ll take another ship.”
“No.” There was that fear again.
They stared at each other, neither wanting to be the first to look away.
“What’s waiting for you out there? Do you have someone?”
“No. Nothing is waiting for me. I just don’t want to live a lie anymore. I’m tired of stealing, and Elizabeth has offered me a new identity, to start over.”
“So start over, here.”
“Here, I will always have to lie.”
“Not with me. You won’t have to lie to me anymore, and you won’t have to lie to anyone else either. No one knows your file but me. We’ll leave Baedden, tell people your nickname is Nova, and you’ll be yourself.”
“Altair—”
“Nova.” He grabbed both her hands and held them in his. “Will you be my wife?”
“What?”
“Our wedding ceremony was a lie. Iwasmarrying Meghan that day. But it’s you that I want. And Ineedyou to disagree with me and help me make the right choices when I can’t see past my family’s influence.”
Warmth spread through her chest. She wanted to lean in and kiss him, but she had a decision to make first.
“Nova, will you be my wife?”
