Chapter 19
GEMINI
Halley was just as smug as Gemini had expected, and yet it mattered so little when compared to everything else she was dealing with.
It was pathetic how attached she’d gotten in such a short time, but as she went through the motions at work—after explaining some of what had happened—a part of her felt empty. She was ashamed that she hadn’t even said goodbye to Zenith; the caerulian wasn’t the problem.
No, the issue was Apodis, the sad look on his face etched into her memory as she said a swift farewell when he’d dropped her off at the camp.
Gemini couldn’t handle any more apologies, just needed to get back to the life she was supposed to be living. The fantasy had been fun, but had it been worth it?
She hadn’t yet mentioned her new genetic condition to Castor or the others, though she supposed she would have to before they left.
The doctor in Aerumi had responded to her message swiftly, so there was some hope she’d have things sorted out for the trip home, but all the unknowns still weighed on her.
God, what a fucking mess everything was.
It was even difficult to look forward to the blooming, though she tried to remain focused on her goal. Collecting the spores for analysis could benefit an immense number of people, and it was worth it to ignore the ache in her heart and catch up on all the work she’d missed while she was gone.
This was what she was meant to do, work hard for NovaFlora and try her best to help people.
Love was not part of her life’s plan.
After almost a full day of work with little sleep, everything was prepared for the blooming.
The only problem? Their radar showed a storm heading their way, and not a small one.
How was it that the entire trip had been crystal clear save for a few showers here and there, the dense canopy assisting the soil in retaining moisture, but now a full-on tempest could ruin everything?
“The NovaFlora higher-ups want us to abandon the vitellus mission, and I have to agree,” Castor said as the four of them huddled in his tent.
“We have enough samples of other specimens for this to still be a productive trip. It’s a shame to miss out on the vitellus, but it’s not worth risking everyone’s safety. ”
A knot welled in Gemini’s throat, heated tears burning at her eyes at the thought of leaving without the orb glow spores. There was no way NovaFlora would approve a return trip all the way to the edge of the Fringe, not for a single plant that had so little value to them.
But it meant everything to her.
“I’m going,” she said, interrupting the conversation between her three crew members.
They all turned to her with furrowed brows, the pitter patter of rain already ramping up as droplets hit the tent.
“I can’t let you do that, Hawthorne,” Castor said, shaking his head. “If you get hurt, NovaFlora will be in big trouble.”
Of course, that’s what it was. Nothing to do with her, but NovaFlora’s reputation.
“I’m going, and you will not stop me,” Gemini said again, her waterproof pack already filled with the supplies she’d need to collect the spores.
She unzipped the tent, though turned to see Castor when she felt a hesitant touch at her arm.
“I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I don’t care!” Gemini growled, a newfound boldness searing through her veins. Halley and Cassio exchanged a look before she calmed herself and continued. “I’ll personally accept any repercussions from NovaFlora, you won’t have to worry about a stain on your immaculate record.”
Castor winced, but didn’t deny the fact that he cared more about impressing the company than about her.
Fuck this crew, and fuck NovaFlora. She wasn’t doing it for them, but for all the people who could benefit from a potentially side effect-free hormonal stabilizer.
Gemini entered the gale, the wind already whipping the tent fabric as she zipped it shut behind her. Dark clouds blotted out the sky as she entered the coordinates into her comm, then started following the path to the vitellus grove she had made the final preparations on yesterday.
The noise was deafening, big booms of thunder vibrating the forest floor after flashes of lightning arced across the sky where the canopy was spread thin enough, revealing the branching webs of turquoise electricity.
The mossy carpet seemed to swell and ripple as if absorbing the rain, the sight both terrifying and breathtaking.
She wasn’t sure if she’d even be able to collect the spores in these conditions, but she had to try.
Each clap of thunder made her jump, but she continued her trek, every inch of her already soaked to the bone. Her boots were a muddy mess, but her ankle was holding up fine, the healing accelerated by Apodis’ tender care.
Oh, Apodis. His cabin would be so cozy at a time like this.
She could imagine curling up on the couch with him in front of the fireplace, Zenith purring on her lap.
Though it had only been a couple of days since she last saw Apodis, she missed his smile, the warmth of his touch, the thoughtfulness of his care.
The tears she’d been containing at camp spilled down her face, mixing with the droplets of rain that made it difficult to see. But her comm guided her, buzzing if she got off track and making sure she was going in the right direction.
Gemini swallowed hard as familiar trees came into view, a little grove similar to the one where the Bloomveil was held.
But instead of a writhing mass of reveling bodies, there would be a patch of verdant orb glows getting ready to release their spores.
She checked her comm, hoping she wasn’t too late, but no.
According to the Oslieths, the orb glows were very precise, and she just hoped the storm wouldn’t change that.
There was a bright flash and a sharp peal, the light and sound instantaneous and making her ears ring.
A strange crackling noise like fireworks penetrated the relentless rain and wind, and it took her a moment too long to realize that a tree had been hit, the fibers of its trunk stretching, bending, and breaking.
She had no time to react, just gaped at the massive tree as it split and tipped her way. Then, there was a firm grasp on her arm, a powerful force dragging her out of the dangerous path and sending her tumbling to the forest floor.
The tree landed a second later, close enough that the loud crash deafened her, making everything sound fuzzy as her heart thumped hard in her chest.
Warmth surrounded her as she tried to understand what had happened, and as she looked to her savior, she already knew who it was.
“What are you doing here?” she shouted over the storm.
Apodis had softened the fall with his own body, his eyes wide as he appraised her as if searching for injuries.
“When I saw the tempest roll through, I knew you’d come, even though it’s dangerous. I wasn’t going to let you and your crew work out here by yourselves.”
Gemini choked out a laugh as Apodis helped her to her feet, her ears still ringing in the aftermath of the crashing tree and the continued claps of thunder.
“My crew isn’t here. They fucking bailed. But I’m not giving up,” she said, and he smiled, that radiant look that melted her into a puddle.
Fuck. Now was not the time. She had a job to do.
“Well, let’s collect the spores, then. We don’t want to miss it.”
Apodis took her hand, and she felt secure, like nothing bad would happen now that they were together.
He had saved her, and though adrenaline still pumped through her veins, she was softened by his touch, his proximity, the fact that he’d come all the way out to the grove because he knew she’d be here no matter what.
They entered the clearing to see the orb glows jostled by the wind, though still holding strong.
The mature plants had long sage green, almost gray, stalks with silver dollar shaped leaves.
The small pods had a soft violet glow as Gemini hurriedly rifled through her pack to find the spore containers, tiny metal canisters which would protect the delicate samples as they made their way back to Earth.
With a strange synchronicity, the pods opened as one, releasing the spores, even with the torrent of rain. Gemini connected canister after canister to the pods until she’d filled them all, then stood with Apodis as she enjoyed the ethereal show.
The rain had slowed enough that the violet spores drifted like glowing pollen, a sight she would never forget.
It was magical, like this was a place separate from time and space, a place only for her and Apodis to inhabit while the rest of the world faded away.
A fresh, almost minty, scent filled the air, a delicious aroma she hoped she would remember forever.
He squeezed her hand, and she swallowed a sob, trying to hold on to the beauty of the moment. Though it lasted maybe ten minutes, time seemed to slow, like they were caught in a capsule where the drifting spores would never end.
But end, it did.
Eventually, all the glowing seeds met the forest floor, ready to grow the next generation of Lumaria vitellus. She didn’t look at Apodis until she felt a touch at her cheek, his soft fingers turning her to face him.
“I can take you back to your camp now,” he said, though his eyes rippled with sadness.
Gemini swallowed hard, knowing her decision before her brain had even fully comprehended it.
“Let’s go to the cabin. Camp can wait until the storm is done.”
Apodis nodded with a grin, helping her retrieve all the filled spore canisters before leading her to his cruiser.
By the time they arrived at Apodis’ cabin, Gemini was well and truly drenched.
When they stumbled into the living room, leaving puddles of water on the floor, Zenith was there to greet them with a look of consternation.
“You left without saying goodbye,” he said, his orb dimly glowing as he inspected their disheveled looks.