Stars in Nova (The Sable Riders #6)

Symbols of Resilience

T he heavy steel gates groaned as they were wrenched open, revealing Cygnus’s dim, cavernous cells.

The prisoners inside blinked against the sudden flood of light, their faces pale, gaunt, and wary.

Samira led the charge to free the captives.

She searched until she tagged a woman staggering forward, chains rattling with each step.

She recognized her. Kaelith.

Samira reached out, and the released woman fell into Samira’s arms.

‘You did it,’ Kaelith whispered with fierceness.

‘We did it, and as for the darkness shifting within the Corilians, it’s gone forever, I hope.’

Around them, murmurs rose as the Vaelorii began to recognize one another in the gloomy space.

‘Kaelith, mama!’ a voice called out, breaking with emotion. A young woman, her face streaked with dirt and tears, rushed forward.

Kaelith broke away from Samira as she folded into the embrace of the female who’d rushed her.

They both dropped to their knees, gripping each other tight.

‘Mica!’ Kaelith cupped the newcomer’s face, his fingers trembling as she whispered her name in disbelief.

Outside the cells, the chaos of liberation unfolded.

Detainees, freed from their dark confinements, wandered through the ruins of Cygnus.

The once-imposing structure now lay in disarray, walls crumbled and twisted, smoke curling from its shattered spires.

‘Riena!’ a man’s voice rang out, desperation cutting through the noise.

He moved through the rubble with frantic urgency, ignoring the medics and the teams hauling broken cyborgs onto skimmers bound for the field hospital.

‘Here!’ came the faint cry, and the man turned, his eyes locking on a figure emerging from the wreckage. They collided in a fierce embrace, sobs shaking their bodies as they clung to each other.

Elsewhere, a child stumbled through the mess, her small frame dwarfed by the towering remains of the Corilian fortress. ‘Mama?’ she called, her voice weak.

A woman, battered but upright, fell to her knees at the sound, scooping the girl into her arms and whispering words of comfort against her hair.

Near the ruins, Vaelorian medics worked tirelessly.

A makeshift field clinic, rigged from salvaged equipment and tents, became a hub of activity.

Cyborgs still clinging to life were hauled away on crude stretchers, their mechanical components sparking faintly as the physicians assessed their conditions.

‘He’s stable,’ one medic said, wiping sweat from her brow. ‘Just needs water and food.’

Another leaned over a fallen biomechanoid. ‘We can salvage this one. Let’s get them into surgery.’

Though weary, Kaelith stayed near the hospital, helping others to their feet.

Samira discovered that the woman had been a nurse in the past.

Her presence was welcomed, for they needed all the help possible to help them heal and restore their world.

Thalassi was alive with energy.

Lit torches and lanterns cast warm, flickering patterns across the underground city.

The central cavern thrummed with cheers and chants as the victorious fighters returned.

The applause thundered louder as the former captives entered, their weary faces lighting up at the sight of their people.

The freed prisoners, some still bandaged and weak, were guided to tables laden with food, drinks, and garlands of flowers.

Children danced in circles, their laughter carrying through the atmosphere, while the adults embraced and lifted glasses in jubilant toasts.

The music swelled, with the hauntingly beautiful melodies of Vaelorian flutes mingling with the rhythmic pounding of drums made from hollowed lake wood.

Arms reached out to clasp shoulders, pull them into embraces, and press grateful palms to theirs.

Samira rushed through the melee, her gaze sweeping over the crowd.

From the heart of the throng, Liora and Malik darted forward.

Their faces were streaked with tears, but their eyes sparkled as they flung themselves at Samira.

She dropped to her knees, catching them in a fierce embrace. Her laughter broke through the knot of emotions in her throat.

‘Mum!’ Liora cried, her tiny fists clutching at Samira’s arms. ‘I missed you!’

‘You’re here,’ Malik added, his voice trembling as he buried his face in her shoulder.

Samira kissed the tops of their heads, her limbs wrapping around them as if she might shield them from every hardship. ‘I’m here, my loves. I’m here.’

Nearby, Misandra stood with her hands crossed over her chest, her lips twitching into a rare smile.

When Samira gazed her way, she nodded, her demeanor soft.

‘You did it,’ Misandra stated with a shaky breath.

Samira rose, pulling her children with her, and met her aunt’s gaze. ‘We did,’ she murmured.

Tables were dragged out and laden with bowls of steaming stew, platters of roasted lake fish, and baskets of root vegetables.

Jugs of fermented algae brew were passed around, their sharp, tangy aroma mingling with the warm, smoky scents of the feast.

She tagged Kisan, who was leaning against a pillar. Her eyes were on her with an intensity that made her heart fly.

Fokk , he was handsome.

She gave him a small wave, and he raised his chin back, smirking with the promise of bliss later.

Twas bliss already, she thought, amid the laughter and the music as the Vaelorii celebrated and healed.

Long after the revelry had wound down and the city fell into a hushed stillness, Samira and Kisan returned to her chambers.

The children were asleep, and so was her aunt.

Fingers on her lips, she led Kisan to the pool under her chambers.

Sighing, he shed his clothes, setting it aside, and joined her at the water’s edge. Samira turned to him, her gaze soft but intense.

‘Come in,’ she said, her voice a whisper that carried in the quiet.

He stepped into the water, the warmth of it washing over his tired muscles.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind, burying his nose in her hair.

‘You were sensational out there. Sante for saving my ass.’

He groaned. ‘Every moment without you was sheer agony, woman. I’m so sorry I didn’t come earlier for you.’

She inclined her head to stare up at him. ‘You came at the right time, Rider. Orilia XIV is now free because of your help. I can never thank you enough.’

He tilted his chin, his eyes locking with hers, and smirked in a lazy grin. Releasing her, he sunk into the water, letting the slick, sultry, warm liquid wash away his weariness.

He stood, and the ripples surged from him like bliss over his muscles.

She laughed when he lunged for her, kissing her long and hard, pulling her underwater with him.

When they came up for air, he muttered, ‘You taste so divine.’

‘Then taste more of me.’

The glow of the luminous aqua light danced across their skin as they came together. Their bodies moved in harmony as they shared in the solace of each other’s presence.

The swells rippled, waves breaking over them, his groans mingling with her whimpers as they crested into bliss.

Later, as they lay entwined on the smooth rock near the pool, Samira’s fingers traced the lines of Kisan’s glowing tattoos and cutis jewels. ‘We need to create something like this in our house,’ she said, her voice tinged with wistfulness.

‘Our house?’ Kisan repeated, his lips quirking into a smile.

Samira gave him a look that was playful yet laced with earnest intent.

‘Will you stay, Rider?’

‘Are you asking me?’

‘What does it sound like? Naam , I want you to.’

He gave her a long look. ‘Then I will stay.’

She gave him a playful nudge. ‘Wasn’t that hard, was it now, soldier?’

He growled and buried his head in her nape.’

She went on, sharing her heart. ‘When we finally build a home, it has to be above ground. We must have a pool connected to the water below. It’s who we are.’

Kisan brushed a strand of hair from her face, his expression softening. ‘We’ll make it happen.’

Her face tightened, her gaze drifting to the ripples. ‘The planet is in ruins, Kisan. The lakes are shrinking. The forests are gone. I’m afraid of what’s left for us.’

He cupped her face, forcing her to meet his eyes. ‘I’ve been thinking about your planet’s ecology.’ He paused, his tone thoughtful. ‘I might have a solution.’

Samira’s brows lifted in surprise. ‘What are you thinking?’

‘It’s risky,’ he admitted, ‘but it involves the kinetic drives we’ve been using. If we can amplify their energy output and direct it with care, we might be able to trigger a resurgence in your lakes and forests. I’ll need to tinker and mess with the tech, but we might use terra-forming principles to reanimate rain and vegetation.’

Samira stared at him, her heart swelling with hope and apprehension. ‘Do you think it might work?’

He nodded. ‘I do, and if it doesn’t, I’ll keep trying until it does.’

Her arms tightened around him, her voice hoarse, husky with satisfaction. ‘Together, then.’

‘Always,’ he murmured, kissing her forehead as they floated in the subtle glow of the pool.