Page 127 of Stars in Aura

Ki’Remi let out a slow breath.

‘I long suppressed who I was,’ he growled. ‘But no more.’

His molten meta eyes held hers, raw with promise.

‘If calling on my ancestors is what it takes to keep you safe,kidaya, then I will embrace it. If we put our minds and abilities together, perhaps we may find a way to prevail through this trial.’

Issa swallowed hard, still reeling from witnessing his true essence and also from what he was offering.

The endearment, the care in his timbre, slid into her heart, and she fought back tears.

She blinked at him before placing her hand in his, sighing as he pulled her to her feet.

‘I’ll take it, Sable, becausefokk, I’ve run out of options and time. However, be prepared; this shit we’re about to walk into might blow all your foundations of reasoning, intellect, logic, and knowing away. You have been warned.’

Ki’REMI

He gave her a quick, fierce kiss, which she pulled away from with a wry smile.

‘Sante.’

He winked. ‘We’ve got this, Elaris.’

He had a handle on it, didn’t he?

If he didn’t, he’d figure it out as they went, as long as they were with each other.

Issa turned back toward the holo controls in the admiral’s ready room, opening a direct line to Zavei Rhakiba Caleph D’Ketheron again.

His deific and cosmic-gold eyes narrowed as she appeared onscreen.

Issa straightened, lifting a defiant chin. ‘A companion will be joining me.’

Zavei’s gaze flicked with lazy disinterest to Ki’Remi.

His expression barely shifted.

‘Thismortal? Tis of no consequence to me.’

The deity gave them a smirk. ‘Instead of just yourself, you will both die together.’

Issa didn’t flinch, and neither did the Rider.

Yet, as Ki’Remi stared at the Saatifa warrior, the enormity of his commitment hit him.

Surrender, imprisonment, and a journey into the freakin’ unknown.

He suppressed a curse, even as the menacing celestial growled through the display.

‘We will receive you not before long. You have an hour of Pegasi time. Pack lightly.’

With that, the screen faded to black, and silence fell.

Issa’s torso heaved.

Unwilling to see her distressed, Ki’Remi prowled to her side, wrapping his sinewed arms around her.

She didn’t cry.

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