Epilogue
En route to Vora
On board the Celeeri
Days later
Ziamee faced the display vid, dreading speaking to her father. But she needed to preempt the information Illan was about to share. She suspected Brac had revealed what they’d discovered on the station, but Ambassador Barro’s revelations would be more shocking.
Offering his silent support, Illan sat beside her, his hand on her thigh.
She drew in a deep breath. “Amet Lac-Tenbar.”
An image of her father’s face appeared. He seemed a little stunned to find himself on a comm.
“Ziamee?” he whispered. “Faerar, am I seeing things?”
Mudya joined him to peer at her. By the dark metallic walls, it was clear they were in the facility. Brac crossed the background, his focus elsewhere.
“We’re on our way home,” Ziamee said, not bothering to explain this technology when she didn’t understand herself. “I thought I’d warn you before you receive Illan’s latest news.”
“Is it bad?” Padya asked.
“It’s revealing,” she said.
“I’m glad you’re well. Just finding you only to lose you to a long trip… Well, I worried,” Mudya said. “You seem…happy.”
“I am. Illan made me his dhutya.” Ziamee smiled as her chest swelled. Love you. She glanced at him.
Mudya squealed and bounced on the spot, only to sniff and wipe away tears. “My fael is all grown up.”
Padya remained silent, his expression solemn. “I didn’t approve at first,” he said, “but he has been a male of his word, and that…matters to me. If he continues to make you happy, little one, then you have my blessing.”
A lump formed in her throat, and tears pressed the backs of her eyes. “Thanks, Padya. I need your guidance, too. Illan says I’m a nizena. How do I share all of my mind with him?”
Padya stiffened. “You, too?” His cheeks shuddered as he glanced down. “Once you do, it is hard to hide that part of yourself again. Do this only if you’re certain—”
“Please,” she said.
Her father released a long exhale. “Imagine a flower, its long petals curling, blooming until its core is exposed.”
She closed her eyes and created an exquisite purple bud she’d never seen in her life. As each petal unfurled, a part of her mind warmed as if sunlight kissed the flower’s exposed flesh.
She peeked at Illan, arching a brow. Now?
Joy spread across his features until pure love gazed at her. Yes. He grabbed her hand, lacing their fingers and pressing his palm to hers. Nothing passed that bond; it didn’t need to when they shared their entire beings.
“Your mind’s natural state is to shield itself,” Padya said, not knowing how he’d opened a whole new world to her. “You’ll need to do this often until it learns this is the new normal.”
“My thanks,” she managed, squeezing Illan’s fingers. “On Issneen, Illan met with a Maloidian ambassador who was most forthcoming. Read through the information, and we can discuss it when we get there.”
“All right,” Padya said. “Oh, Etterians have arrived, and…things have changed.”
“I know,” she said. “They bear us no ill will, so don’t fight them. Hugs to Seba,” she called. “End comm.”
The kiss Illan bestowed upon her couldn’t compare to the joy he’d caused to blossom inside her. And yet, an intense ache in her groin, not her own, made her pull away.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“My need for you.” You will experience what you make me feel. And I you.
She laughed, the implausibility of it too much not to test. Show me.
Days later, when Ulta ported Ziamee down to her beloved lake, the white building near the spot where she’d set her traps had her gasping. Males came and went, carrying things, taking away tools, all under Brac’s supervision.
He smiled at her and bowed his head at Illan. “Welcome home.”
“Thanks,” she said, glancing at the familiar shore, lake, mountain, and sky, and released a deep breath. Everything was…perfect.
“We are almost complete. I have installed Oz into your housing unit as per your requirements, Illan. Ziamee, should you want something changed, let me know.”
“Whatever you’ve done, I’m sure it’s wonderful, Brac.” She peered around him, eager to spot a white blur. “Where’s Seba?”
“He is around here somewhere,” Brac said.
“He has his own bed near the front entrance. On other news, Oz discovered this morning that Maloid targeted other planets near Durn, testing out the cannon and failing. They had intended to do more damage. Not sure why. But we do know that all missions halted when their chief scientist died, leaving them without leadership and direction.”
Illan hummed. “And Maloid not responding to their comms only worsened the situation.”
“Yes, my thoughts, as well.” Brac tapped his O.D.I. “Oz has been sifting through the data and summarizing his findings. His assistance has been a great help.”
“It’s been a pleasure,” Oz said from the open doorway.
“Lady Faerar stumbled on a cache of data on Maloid’s flora. This has been her core focus. For Lord Amet, he has been obsessed with your latest report, trying to disprove the ambassador’s revelations.”
“Good,” Illan said, looping an arm around Ziamee’s waist and drawing him to her side. “Many will disbelieve our claims when we take our evidence to the G.C. And Iddan?”
“He is at the facility, working beside Amet to prove the ambassador’s revelations.” Brac chuckled. “Many an argument has occurred. It has been…most entertaining.”
“Thank you,” Ziamee said, squeezing Brac’s wrist. “I trust Seba wasn’t too much trouble.”
“Not at all,” Brac said. “We trailed him to various packs, a few with females. There is one he is partial to, but we cannot say for sure.”
“It is time to give his species a name, ohara,” Illan said, gazing at her.
“It feels odd to classify a beloved friend, but I suppose…for science.” She tapped her chin, sifting through the ideas she’d considered many years ago. “Vlokur,” she said. “I like the sound of that.”
“Pink-eyed beast?” Illan translated with a laugh. “Apt. For he is that and more.”
“I thought so, too.” She pulled away to stroll through the wide door opening onto a common room with those boring white chairs. “I’d like to make a few changes, Brac, similar to what Macy did in her home. Colorful pillows and a cloth for the floor?”
“Easy enough,” Brac said, activating his O.D.I.
To the rear ran a counter with a rehydrator and a replicator. She grinned, glancing at Illan. A peek into the back room revealed a bed and a cleansing room. Another door led off to the side. That room was smaller and empty.
“And this?” she asked Brac.
“Should you have damu,” he said.
“Oh,” she whispered, her cheeks warming. “How did you know—”
“That Illan was your Eth?” Brac shook his head. “I am not blind, Ziamee.”
“Well, I was,” she said with a huff.
“Indeed,” Brac said. “Most Dar Eths are unaware of the change in their circumstances, especially when she is human.”
Cyndi wasn’t. Ziamee glanced at Illan.
Iddan mind-fused out of necessity and discovered what she was to him by accident.
And you wanted me to have a choice. So sweet. She chuckled. Thank you for trying.
Memories of their first kiss in the darkness of the cavern pressed in on her. I was lost from that moment on. He grinned, then kissed her temple.
The magic of your palms. She smirked. I don’t miss it, though, because now, I get to hold your hand without triggering my deepest fantasies.
“I shall leave you to get settled,” Brac said, making her realize she was being rude.
“Thank you, for my new home and for caring for Seba.” She sighed.
Do not feel sad. He understands.
Still, that was mean of us to exclude him. She chuckled, recognizing a shared ache. I’m hungry, too. Pizza?
Whatever you want, precious.