Part 49 (2/2)
A perfect duplicate of what Galene had looked like in school, the mecha blinked and stepped out of the locker. ”May I be of a.s.sistance, Fain?”
Talyn screwed his face up. ”Oh dear G.o.ds, it even sounds like Mum.”
”I do not sound like a p.o.r.n actress.”
Talyn looked really uncomfortable as Gavarian and Brach burst into laughter. He glared at them. ”You two hyenas better stow that.”
They sobered instantly.
Fain growled at all of them. Then he gentled his voice for his s.h.i.+p. ”Storm. Deactivate.”
The unit returned to her locker and shut down.
Trying not to feed into their overreaction, Fain closed the door. He searched his mind for some explanation, then finally decided on just telling her the honest truth. ”There was only ever you for me, Galene. And while she isn't you, I couldn't ever imagine a home without you in it. So there you have it. That's why she's here. I can't live without you. I never could.”
Galene sniffed back tears.
Talyn grabbed Brach and Gavarian and hauled them away to give them privacy.
With a weepy expression on her face, Galene returned to Fain and pulled him close. ”And may the G.o.ds grant that you never have to live without me again. For I know I cannot live without you either. All I can do is exist.”
Chapter 19.
G.
alene followed Fain off his s.h.i.+p with Sumi, Vega, War, and Felicia by her side. Ushara and the others had landed only a few minutes before them. But something wasn't right. The bay was too busy and everyone seemed to be in a tizzy of some sort. And there was a strange mood in the air. A deep sense of foreboding.
Confused, she headed to Nykyrian. ”What's going on?”
”I'm not sure.”
”Daddy!”
”Mama!”
”Dada!”
Suddenly, the whole place truly exploded with activity as Nykyrian's, Caillen's, Darling's, Syn's, and Maris's family ran out to greet them. Galene was completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of people.
Sumi laughed in her ear. ”I know what you're feeling. It's scary. But believe it or not, you get used to it.”
Kalea ran from Dancer's arms to embrace a little blond boy named Jayce while Darice greeted Nykyrian's eldest daughter, Thia. Then he took War and Vega around and made introductions between them and all the kids. Before long, they were mixing like old friends.
Galene swallowed. ”How do you keep them all straight?” she asked Fain.
”It's not as hard as you think.”
Relieved to see Jayne's familiar family, she headed for them.
But her joy was short-lived as she realized that Ushara wasn't sharing their happiness. In fact, she became more worried as each second went by. ”Where's Jullien?” she asked Darling.
That sobered their group instantly.
Vasili came up to stand at his mother's back while Trajen picked up Mira and held Viv's hand. The look on his face as he stood behind Ushara said that he already knew the answer.
Cairistiona was the one who approached Ushara. ”It's an honor to meet you, daughter. You are as beautiful as Jullien said you were.”
Ushara swallowed hard. ”Where is he?” she growled.
The tadara bit her lip as tears welled in her eyes.
”He's here... right?” Ushara looked past them. ”Jullien! This isn't funny!” she snarled. ”Show yourself! I mean it!”
Approaching them slowly, Aros cleared his throat. He tried to speak, but he couldn't.
It was Nykyrian's beautiful wife, Kiara, who took Ushara's hand. ”He distracted our pursuers so that we could get safely away. He said to tell you not to worry. That he wouldn't break your heart.”
Aros finally found his voice. ”He saved Kiara's and Zarina's lives, Nykyrian. And mine. None of us would be here without him.”
Nykyrian kissed Kiara's hand. Then stepped back. ”Ready my fighter!” he announced to the nearest ground crew member.
Kiara visibly cringed at those words, but she didn't try to stop him.
Sumi let out a tired sigh as she turned to Dancer. ”I know...” She kissed him. ”Do not get hurt. If you do, I'm naming your son something awful in your absence.”
He laughed.
Shahara handed her sleeping son to Ture and kissed his cheek. ”We'll be back.”
Syn kissed his son's head before he took Shahara's hand and headed after Nykyrian and Dancer.
Maris hesitated at the tormented look on Ture's face. ”I'm sorry, baby.”
Ture nodded. ”I know. Be careful what you wish for. I wanted a soldier. I should have said I wanted an artist. Just remember, it's really hard to get blood out of your uniform.”
Maris kissed him, then Devyn and Terek. ”I'll be home soon. I promise.”
”I know you will. Otherwise, I'll send Zarya after you and you won't like that.”
Zarya kissed Maris's cheek before he left, too. She held Darling's hand when he started to leave, keeping him there for a moment longer. ”I hate for you to fight without me.”
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