Page 96 of Stealing the Star Stone
She took it, and together, they waded to shore.A breeze cooled her wet skin.She didn’t rush to dress, preferring to stand there naked on a deserted beach on an alien moon.Moments like this should be treasured.She glanced at Eli and found him gazing at the star-strewn sky, a ring-planet dominating most of it.
‘I love you’ was on the tip of her tongue, but she’d be a fool to utter it.Despite all they’d been through, the best scenario was friendship.The thought of it cracked her heart.She glanced out to the horizon to hide her wince.
She was coward.Picking at Warden Mining Corp from the safety of theValiance.Treating Eli badly because of what she’d done so many years ago.
But she wouldn’t apologize for any of it.She could only vow to do better.
“Family first,” she said as she dressed, patting the egg still in the pocket.It had to be her imagination that it warmed to her touch.
“Yeah.I’d invite you along, but I figured you’d want some time away from me.”
A vice crushed her chest.Shehadbeen mean to him.
She forced a smile and peeled on her T-shirt.“To clear my head, yes.We could meet up if you like.”She tried to hide her hope, but it slipped into her voice.
“A month from today?”
She wanted to ask why so long, but who knew how far he had to travel.It could take a week just to reach them.Instead, she grinned.“Sounds like a plan.”
“I’ll treat you to tea.”
That drew a laugh.“Sweet talker.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The moon, Lethara
From the beach to Vael’Tir.
Time to head home?But first, there’d better be tea.
Novahaddozed,restingher temple against Eli’s arm as they waited for Zal.The braying of the yuxmets stirred her, but Eli threw his arm around her and gathered her into the curve of his body.Leaving the warmth and comfort took a Herculean effort.She held his gaze as she straightened, then before she could second guess the instinct, leaned in for a kiss.
He met her halfway, humming when she drew back.
Zal halted the beasts amid a cloud of black dust.The burgundy sky had begun to tint orange as the sun rose.
“Is all well?”he asked, dismounting with far too much agility for a man of his age.
“It is.”She beamed at him then clambered to her feet.“Just two more things to accomplish and you need never see us again.”
He frowned, his focus switching between her and Eli as they approached him.“I will always welcome you into my home, qidhari.”
She squeezed his bicep.“I meant no offense, Zal.We have loved ones who worry about us.It’s time we returned to them.”She dug her hand into the pocket and pulled out the egg.Without hesitation, she flipped it over to show him how it stuck to her palm.“What’s happening here?”
He blinked at the egg defying gravity and grinned.“I am not surprised it chose you.Such is the way of things on Lethara.We do not question the shols.”He looped the reins around his hand when the yuxmets shifted, seeking vegetation among the cobbles.
“Zal,” she said, trying to ensure she had his attention.“Choosing me means what to a shol?”
“After all we’ve been through, I think it means it stays with you.”Eli adjusted the bag across his shoulder then moved to the side to stroke a yuxmet’s matted brow.
She gaped at him, then turned it on Zal.“Is he right?”
“Yes, it is so.”
Eli chuckled.“You might as well name it.”
Panic rose, squeezing her chest tighter until breathing became a struggle.“I can’t…keep it.What does it eat?How long does it live?”
