Page 282 of Night's Fall

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Because the drones eventually formed words, melting apart to form more.

And this was what they said:

AgentAnthemeFallgrow

YoD 2084, 11, 2 –YoD2118, 9, 18

RoyalService

Died inServiceto theRealm

Mr.RichardTayor

YoD 2073, 5, 4 –YoD2118, 9, 18

LeavesBehindaWifeandTwoDaughters

Now in the hands of theNightGod.

Eternally at peace among theStars.

They will be missed.

I was peeking at the sky lit up for what seemed like miles over theDolphinSea, my cheek pressed to the lapel ofAleksei’ssuit, when the lights blinked out and the sky went dark.

It took a minute, but like they were all one, the sounds of shouts and cheers, vocal tributes to the fallen, drifted to us from the mainland and the offshore islands.

Antheme would hate this.

ButIloved it.

KingFillionturned from the balustrade and announced, “Now, we live.Welove.Wecelebrate those lost.Wecount our blessings we’re still here.Andat this very moment, we enjoy good company and eat.”

Chapter42

Forgiveness

“IthinkTanynhas a thing forCat,”Iannounced.

Aleksei andIwere in bed.

It was after dinner and after we’d made love (yes, again, butIdid have payback to give after his lovely words earlier).

I was in a satin nightie and nothing else, lying on my back at a slant, my head onAleksei’spillow.

Aleksei was naked (yum), on his stomach, down the bed with his head on my belly, his arm tight around my hips.

Jupiter was communicating his happinessMomandDadhad worked it out by sticking close, even if it wasJupiter’sversion of close.Hewas curled into a circle next to me on my pillow.Novawas tucked against the base ofAleksei’sspine.AndComet, still not over his nap being disturbed with the added affront of him being banished from thePrincessRetreat, was at the end of the bed, leg up in the air, cleaning his unmentionables.

Aleksei lifted his head and looked at me.

Gods.

WouldIever get used to how beautiful he was?

I sifted my fingers through his hair.

“You caught that?” he asked.

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