Page 3 of Shadows of Stardust

With her maroon skin, wings, and black, curling horns, I have no idea what species she is, but she’s stunning.

“A pleasure,” Ansalla drawls.

Apparently also ready to be done with the conversation, she turns her attention back to the Vas-Greshiran. The two of them start speaking softly to one another, too softly to pick up what they’re saying, though their eyes do occasionally dart my way.

“That was unnecessary,” Juni mutters beside me, and I bite back another smile.

“Not necessarily wrong, though,” I say. “I’m a little on the scrawny side compared to…”

I glance around at the other contestants. Some are having their own conversations, some appear to be sleeping, and others are entirely focused and in their own world, like they’re psyching themselves up for whatever’s waiting for us on Eritin II and the Mate Match beach.

Troops, preparing for their next battle.

“I’m sure you’ll find someone size appropriate. I’ll help.”

I arch a brow at her. “Really? And what kind of male would be ‘size appropriate’ for me?”

“I heard there are a couple of Jurvians in the cast. They could be a good time.”

I groan. “I’ve been burned by one too many Jurvians. They make a good ship, but are notoriously cocky flyboys.”

Juni laughs and thinks for a moment. “Vas-Greshirans, then, definitely. And maybe Sendahlans, if you’re not opposed to the scales.”

“Rough?”

“Surprisingly silky! Two, um… appendages, though, which might be a bit of an adjustment.”

I huff a laugh. “Noted.”

“And Volbherrans. Definitely Volbherrans.”

“How many appendages are we dealing with there?”

“Just one.” She winks. “And forked tongues, which could very much come in handy depending on your anatomy.”

“Oh, really? And you have firsthand knowledge of this?”

Juni sticks her forked tongue out at me. “Absolutely.”

We both dissolve into laughter, drawing reproachful glances from Ansalla and the Vas-Greshiran and a few other contestants, but I couldn’t care less.

It’s… nice. Finding a friendly face here.

Maybe if I were actually on this show to find a guy, Juni could play matchmaker for me. Maybe we’d be friends.

Even though that’s not the case, and even though my days on the Mate Match beach are already numbered, I let myself enjoy it for a few moments.

I let myself feel like I’m not entirely alone here.

Alone in the whole damn universe.

Juni starts to say something else, but the ship’s comm system crackles with an announcement that my translator implant picks up as a warning we’re about to start our final descent.

I check my seatbelt, and panic rears its ugly head again as the atmospheric fire fades and the surface of the planet comes back into view.

Much bigger now, and more vibrant, full of sunshine and life and color.

I’ve been studying maps and videos and holograms of Eritin II for months, but none of them do it justice. Breathtaking, in all it’s verdant glory. Familiar in a way that makes me think of photos I’ve seen of Earth, though I barely have any memories of my own to compare it to.

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