Chapter 26 #2
I can’t even think about that. And it’s not because he’s my ticket back to Earth.
I need him to be okay because I’m pretty sure he’s the being I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with.
Sure, I may have no idea how I’m going to actually make that happen, but I definitely can’t figure it out if he’s dead.
One thing at a time, as Mamaw always says. Once Tavryn and I are out of here, I can focus on figuring out how I’m going to swing staying in space forever.
One morning, instead of heading out before breakfast, Rourverace lingers in the living area with me.
I pretend I don’t see him as I tune my guitar.
He brought it to me near the beginning of my stay in an attempt to butter me up.
At least it gives me something to do. I strum a couple of chords, humming softly over the notes.
It’s hard for me to focus on music when my head is such a jumble, but doing nothing but sitting around worrying about Tavryn isn’t going to help anyone.
Rourverace clears his throat, pulling my attention to him. “We’ve arrived at our destination,” he says. “Commander L’eana is waiting to hear my report. They’ll make the final decision about what will happen to you.”
Okay, Rourverace has my full attention. “What d’you mean, what will happen to me?” I’d been so worried about Tavryn, I hadn’t even considered I should be worried about me too.
“I assume since you’ve been rescued from that rogue, you’ll be taken to your original destination,” Rourverace says. “Although the UFO might find a more appropriate placement for you now. As I said, the Commander will make the final decision.”
I sit up a little straighter, internally preparing myself to be a bit rude. It doesn’t come naturally to me, and it always makes me feel a little icky. If there was one thing Mamaw taught me, it was that you get more flies with honey. But sometimes, vinegar works just as well.
“I wanna talk to the Commander.” I keep my voice firm and steady, trying to channel one of those women that always goes viral for yelling at a cashier about a coupon.
Rourverace’s eyes widen. It makes him look even younger and more innocent than he usually does. I almost feel bad for causing a stir. Almost. “You…want to speak to Commander L’eana?” he asks. I nod quickly. “Why would I let you speak with her?”
“Cause.” Now here’s the hard part. I have to tell Rourverace what he wants to hear, truth or not.
The Commander clearly has the power here, so they’re the one I need to talk to if I want me and Tavryn to get out of here together.
“I’ve been thinkin’, and I realized you’re right.
” The words hurt. They burn coming out of my throat, and I almost can’t say them.
But I do. I must. “I want to tell her everthin’ about…
about what happened. So she can make the right choice. ”
Rourverace’s pointed ears twitch with excitement.
He definitely thinks I’m about to throw Tavryn under the bus.
Even as happy as he is, he still manages to sound uninterested.
“Well, I suppose I can put in a request for you,” he says reluctantly, as if I’m asking him to do something real difficult.
“We all want this whole mess straightened out as quickly as possible, after all. It’s important that justice is served. ”
I smile at him, unable to help myself. “Oh, justice is gon’ be served,” I promise him as I turn my attention back to my guitar. “You just come get me when the Commander is ready. I’ve got plenty to say.”
I’m barely finished with breakfast by the time Rourverace is back.
He’s calmed down a bit, though he’s still grinning.
I try to act normal, but my hand shakes as I set my cup of yurba down on the table.
If Rourverace notices, he doesn’t say anything.
Good. I need him to believe I'm confident about my decision to betray Tavryn.
As if I would ever do that. The thought never even crossed my mind. Tavryn deserves someone who is loyal to him, and I’m going to try very hard to be that someone.
Rourverace leads me to what’s basically a conference room.
There’s a long, empty table and a beautiful view of space that immediately stops me in my tracks.
I’ve seen the stars plenty of times through the windshield of Tavryn’s ship, but this floor-to-ceiling view is something else entirely.
I’m so busy looking at it that I completely forget the real reason I’m here until Rourverace starts talking.
“Commander,” Rourverace greets them with a small bow of his head.
I follow his gaze to a tall, lanky otherworlder with blue skin and a round, bald head.
They’re wearing some sort of robe that brushes against the floor and makes it look like they’re floating.
“I’ve brought the human Banjo, as requested.
He wishes to talk to you about his time spent with the Daulkun, Tavryn, who I currently have in custody. ”
Two giant, multifaceted eyes focus on me. They don’t blink, which is kind of creepy. And their voice is softer and higher than I expect when they speak. “Thank you, Lieutenant.” Rourverace nods, but doesn’t move. “That will be all.”
“Oh.” There’s a flash of disappointment across Rourverace’s features, though he manages to mask it fairly quickly. “Yes, Commander.”
The Commander and I stare at each other as he leaves the room. As soon as the door closes behind him, I start talking.
“Commander L’eana, I’m real grateful you’re takin’ the time to talk to me,” I tell them. I have to force myself to slow down so they can actually understand me. “There’s been a huge misunderstandin’. Tavryn didn’t steal me from nobody. He rescued me.”
L’eana’s doesn’t react. My heart pounds in my chest. If this doesn’t go well, I have no clue what I’m going to do.
So, as usual, I blurt out the first thing I think of to fill the silence. “Is Tavryn okay?”
“Why don’t we have a seat?” they suggest, motioning to the table.
No. Oh no. That’s definitely not what you want to hear right after asking if the love of your life is okay. I nearly collapse into one of the chairs as they take their own seat across the table. L’eana looks up at me, brow furrowing. I must look as white as a sheet.
“Your companion is fine.” They pull a tablet from the folds of their robe, tapping it several times before resting it on the table.
“He’s been in a holding cell awaiting my judgement.
” My entire body relaxes. Sure, Ace had been telling me that, but I hadn’t completely believed him. “Now, tell me how you got off my ship.”
“Uh.” A flush creeps across my face. “‘Fore I do that, d’you mind remindin’ me which ship is your ship?”
The corner of their mouth twitches up in the tiniest smile. “The Triumph.” I make a small noise of understanding. Oh, right, that makes a lot of sense.
I tell them everything I can remember, from being told constantly to quiet down to being escorted off the ship onto Hurcaria while they planned my surprise party. When I get to that part, I pause. “Aw, dang it, I missed the party! Hopefully they didn’t go to too much trouble.”
“You believe my people meant to come back for you?” L’eana asks, tilting their head. The movement is kind of comical with how serious their expression is.
“Well, I mean, I thought they were.” I rub the back of my head. “Tav told me they weren’t though…wait, does that mean there wasn’t no party?”
L’eana attempts to guide me back on track. “How did you end up on the rogue’s ship?”
“He saved me.” I let out a dreamy sigh as I remember the moment.
“These big ol’ slug things were chasin’ after me, and I got tangled in this bush.
Except it turns out it wasn’t a bush, it was a giant monster that was gon’ gobble me up.
” I shudder. “Tav grabbed me right before it got me. I’d be deader than a doorknob if it weren’t for him. ”
L’eana nods, quietly drumming their long fingers on the tabletop.
They’ve got a pretty decent beat going. “I’ve made my decision.
” I sit up straight, a bead of sweat trickling down my back.
I don’t feel like I’ve said enough, but they don’t seem like the kind of being that takes kindly to being interrupted.
“You will return to Earth. Immediately.”
“No.” I’m not leaving Tavryn behind, even to get back to Earth. They stare at me, and I quickly add, “I mean, no thank you, Commander.”
L’eana frowns across the table at me. “You want to continue gallivanting around the galaxies with that Daulkun?” they ask. Their tone is more curious than judgmental. “Has he threatened you in some way?”
I snort at that. Tavryn threatens me all the time, but since I know he doesn’t mean it, I don’t feel bad about telling L’eana a little fib. “No, Commander. I…” I bite my lower lip, hesitating for the briefest moment.
That’s when the Commander’s eyes find the collar around my neck. To be honest, I forgot I’m wearing it. The weight is a familiar comfort around my neck, a reminder of Tavryn even when he’s not with me. If I have my way, I’ll never take it off again.
Although if that’s the case, I’ll have to ask Tavryn for a name tag or something. If lost, contact Tavryn. The thought has me grinning. It only causes L’eana’s frown to deepen.
“He’s made you his pet.” Now their tone is judgemental. If I wasn’t red before, I certainly am now. I hadn’t planned on getting into the ins and outs of my relationship with Tavryn with anyone, let alone the Commander, but I suppose by this point, I don’t have much of a choice.
“I ain’t really his pet,” I tell them, licking my lips. “Not that I wouldn’t be. I totally would. It don’t bother me none. I actually kinda like it, if I’m bein’ honest with you.” They arch their brow, as if they don’t believe me. Maybe it’s time to put all my cards on the table.