Page 73 of Sixth
He held her gaze. The reflection of the galaxy lived there. “Love and truth.”
Outside, the universe itself seemed to bow in answer. The spiral’s brightness increased, then softened into a steady glowthat did not fade. The old order’s cold light had been brittle and sharp. This light breathed. It entered glass and stone and bone and stayed.
Behind them, the warriors gathered. Hannah leaned into Locus with laughter in her throat that sounded like relief set free. Maya stood with Fourth, eyes turned upward to where the shimmer had vanished, one hand pressed over her Mating Flame as if to hold that warmth in place.
Anya slid her fingers through Third’s, and he allowed it here where ritual had just been rewritten. Second and Elara stood against one another’s shoulders and learned how quiet was when it did not meanfear.
Jo’Nay let his hand rest against the shattered spine of the last construct, then turned to Winn, drawing her close against his side. One large hand cupped her pregnant belly with reverence, the other steady at her back as they both faced the dawn that poured through the open roof, its light gilding them in quiet promise.
The Councilors didn’t speak. Their thrones were no longer thrones. They were seats only and men without law sat on them. Men who were quickly escortedaway.
Apex released Emmy’s cheek at last and turned back toward the throne. He placed his hand upon the arm again. The new seal brightened as if grateful to be touched.
In the distance, docking cradles opened like flowers and began to receive ships. The roar of engines became a low sea. The planet that had been taught to serve greed learned a new instruction in the bones of its towers. It exhaled.
Emmy drew in a slow breath and let it out. The taste in the air had changed. Less iron. More sunlight. The mark at her wristpulsed once and then settled into a steady warmth like a home she could carry in herskin.
Apex’s voice reached her without need of volume. “It is done.”
She shook her head. “It is starting.”
The light across the floor answered with a quiet, living glow. The crown above the city continued to turn. The world waited for the next breath and found it withoutfear.
