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“You look nice, Belle.” I’m inches away from her freshly braided hair. She’s wearing a dark gold tunic and matching trousers. It hugs Belle’s curves. I doubt Kai has ever worn it.
“We’ll take the Gorsca,” Castor says to us in the elevator down to the parking level.
I raise an eyebrow at him. “It’s only got two seats.”
“It’s faster and moves more efficiently through tight spaces.”
I eye Castor’s luxurysoloparked at the edge of the port.
“You can drive.” Castor unlocks it.
My lip ticks. Castor never lets anyone drive, ever. When I slide behind the controls, I see why. He sits down in the passenger seat and holds his arms out for Belle to sit on his lap.
“There’s only two seatbelts.” She doesn’t move from the dock.
“It’s fine. You can sit on my lap.”
“Or you can sit on mine. And I can wear the seatbelt.”
“Holter is a fine driver.”
“I’m sure he is. But I don’t get in cars without buckling.”
“This is asolo.”
“I don’t care if it’s a Solo cup. It looks like a car. I’m going to wear a seatbelt.”
The two of them stare each other down, and if we didn’t have to hurry, I’d find this tremendously amusing.
“Fine.” Castor gets out and holds her hand when she gets in.
Belle turns to me and smiles, clicking the belt in place. Then she pats her lap. Just like Castor had.
I’d willingly trade places with Castor, but watching him battle his long limbs into the front leg well is too funny. I close the hatches with a click of a button.
“I’m not crushing you?”
“I’m great,” she says into Castor’s back, her voice muffled. But she doesn’t sound distressed. Castor, however, has a hand braced against the ceiling. “Really, Castor. Just sit down.”
I shoot out of the airlock and through the downtown area. It’s not that far, and at this time of day, there shouldn’t be too much traffic. We’re early, before most people are at work. Swinging around the backside of the Braesen Dome, I take the curve a little faster.
“Watch it,” Castor growls at me.
“Sorry. You okay, Belle?”
“Yes.”
Then I’m not the least bit sorry. But it’s fine. We’re through the airlock and at the visitor’s dock of the court dome in no time. Castor unfolds himself and helps Belle out.
Belle turns back to thesolo. “Aren’t you coming?”
“No, I’m sorry. I’m going to talk to Alder. Or at least sit with him. There’s nothing I can do here. They’re only going to let you in, Belle. You’ll do great.”
“What, into the dome?” She points at it.
Castor nods. “I thought you understood that.”
“I thought you meant like into the courtroom.”
