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Orion waited, staring at the glowing rows of data. He seemed to be deciding how much to tell her. Finally he looked back at her and leaned in a little, too close, so close that the bitter warm scent of him swathed her breath.
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out, Kaia.”
“What do you mean?”
Once again, he hesitated, eyes lingering on her as if searching for secrets. Kaia couldn't afford to let that happen, so she kept his gaze with all the confidence she could manage.
Finally, he decided to divulge: “I don’t know why Mother chose these planets, or even this galaxy. We barely know anything about them, and nothing that would lead us to believe they may be the new Earth. All she has is stories.”
“What kinds of stories?”
“A colony ship,Elysian, disappeared years ago. Apparently, a scout they left behind got the last transmission from the ship. The scout claimed data about the planets’ terrain, carbon, moisture content, and climate. All, apparently, fit.”
“On which planet?”
“One of those three. Mother culled the first for size. The specs in this supposed transmission matched Old Earth too closely, so it’s more likely a planet closer to Earth in size is the one.”
“So… that’s cool, right? You just go over there and take a look around?”
Orion’s chuckle was hollow. “Right. In theory. This galaxy is a two-year trip one way. Uncharted, of course, except for this scant data fromElysian. AndElysiandisappeared in the vicinity.”
“So it’s dangerous.”
“These missions always are.” Orion sighed, looking restless in his attempt to make her get his point. “But usually we go into the danger based on some concrete data. Something more than a hunch and rumors.”
He slumped into the backrest. “I shouldn’t even be telling you this. You’re not—”
“If I’m meant to be your wife, I’m supposed to know, aren’t I?”
“You still don’t get it. It doesn’t matter. You can’t do anything about this. Shit, even I can’t seem to do anything.” He squeezed his eyes shut and ground his knuckles into the lids.
Kaia straightened her back, irritation blazing, though what she was so irate about she didn’t know yet.
“One of my responsibilities is to help shoulder your burdens. That’s what your mom said. It’s what your dad does for her. So I’m supposed to know. Be your sounding board or whatever.”
The guilt twisted its knife in her stomach as she insisted on a role she had no intention of fulfilling. But that would pass. It would all have been worth it once she was with Ahton.
Orion leaned his head against the backrest. His eyes were shadows in the dim lighting. She couldn’t make them out, but she knew they watched her from beneath half-closed lids.
“Right,” he muttered. “You’ve been gaining weight.”
Kaia shifted in her seat. “Not much.”
“I can see it. And you’ve been improving with sparring.”
“Not good enough, judging by the other night.” Kaia’s skin prickled with warning.
“The idea was never to have you actually beat me, Kaia.” Orion didn’t move as he spoke, remaining hunched and shrouded in shadow. “It was to get you a head start. Something to help you… manage.”
“I should go.”
“We’re not done.”
“I think I have enough information now. Thank you.”
Kaia began to slide past him on the cushion, but a long leg clad in heavy cotton extended, blocking her way. She paused, staring at his knee.
“Kiss me, Kaia.”
