Chapter 56
Cassie
Cassie sat in the sun outside while ?rim parked a chair in the doorway of their home, watching her while he responded to correspondence from his new position. The university on Fleri had agreed to a remote working situation provided he attended a monthlong residency every standard year.
She enjoyed the quiet as she answered some messages from Jay who had been one of the flock leaders at the same time as her. They’d connected over the intelewaves since they both became literate.
Did you hear about Kestrel?
Kestrel?
She was here on Oscilla Dor for a while.
Is she ok?
We lost her.
Cassie’s fingers curled. She had to know the answer even if she didn’t want to.
The Aviarist?
No.
She decided not to stay.
Oh.
Cassie closed the chat, scrubbing at her stinging eyes. Kestrel was gone too. How many of them would disappear even now the Aviarist was dead? Her fingers itched with the familiar compulsion as grey and red hedged in. She shook her head, leaving her perch on the rock in the sun.
When he saw her approaching in distress, ?rim rose from his seat.
“What happened, aoseria?”
Kestrel is gone.
?rim went still. “Someone killed her?”
Cassie shook her head. No. She couldn’t stay anymore. She paused to gasp through a fresh round of tears. I feel like I’m going to hurt myself. Please help.
He didn’t say a word, just held out his arms for her. She went to him. The pressure around her shoulders grounded her as she wept. “What do you need right now?”
“Cold shower.”
“You can jump in my seeding pool if that’s easier.
” He held her tighter. “Go do what you need to do. I’m here.
” His grip loosened, and Cassie hurried inside.
She stripped off her clothes and got in the shower, letting the icy pinpricks of water plink against her skin until she didn’t feel like she needed to rip it off anymore.
?rim was waiting for her with a towel when she emerged.
Thanks.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not right now.”
“Whenever you’re ready.” He held her in her towel, the coolness of his crystal shell amplifying the lingering cold of the water. “Are you safe, aoseria?”
She pressed her face against his shoulder. “Yes. I’ll be ok. I’m just sad she had to leave.”
?rim pulled her closer. “You’ll tell me if your thoughts are dark.”
“I will. But I’m not thinking about leaving.”
“Good. Should we find something to keep you busy for a bit?”
“Yes please.”
“Let’s get dressed, and I’ll give you a ride over to the pichari.”
Cassie shook her head. “I can walk there myself. You have work to do.”
“That’s fine. Let me know when you get there and when you’re coming back.”
I will. She hugged him again before setting out into the heat of the day.
While she walked to the pichari enclosure, she tried to remember all the things she had loved about Kestrel.
Even though they fought. She also tried to remember all the reasons she had to stay.
?rim. The pups. Eleri. Piper and Swift. Kalai.
Chocolate. Walks in the sunshine. Maybe that would be her next task, helping passeri decide to stay. She knew how difficult the choice was.