Page 125 of Tail, Dark and Handsome: Celestial Mates
“You shine.”
Zero’s ears went forward, as if confused. “That does not answer my question.”
Valerian smiled and handed him another bottle with instructions to hydrate himself, not take a shower.
Shortly after Chase and Tomas’ arrest, Valerian and Joseph arrived. Valerian announced that she needed to bond with her only grandchild, completely ignoring Mari’s need for support in a difficult time.
Fine. Mari was just glad to have her mother and brother there. She put Valerian in the disused master suite and Joseph in the apartment above the garage.
Valerian had no intention of leaving. She decided that she needed a new challenge and sold the company and the assets, except for one ship. Now she produced videos of unique spiritual locations, customs, and meditations.
Mari did not understand the business model—something about advertising and clicks—but people watched Valerian’s channel. The format suited her too. Exploring new philosophies and practices was something Valerian had always loved and delved into each topic with an enthusiasm that her viewers loved. Her series on the crystal caves of Corra remained her most popular videos.
Winter grumbled about the house having too many people, but he and Joseph spent a fair amount of time tinkering in the workshop.
CayneTech didn’t collapse, despite Chase’s best efforts. Under Winter’s management, the company shifted focus to what they did well, communications, and partnered with other manufacturers to put CayneTech comms in starships and vehicles.
As for Chase, he went to prison on all counts of kidnapping, attempted murder, and conspiracy. He’d be locked away for a decade or more. Tomas received a shorter sentence thanks to a plea bargain. Mari tried not to dwell on how Tomas slithered away from consequences once again but reframed it as slithering toward the lengthy imprisonment and ruin of Chase Cayne. The actions balanced.
Sandria reached out to apologize. Mari still hadn’t replied to the message, but she read it several times a day. What Sandria did had been hurtful and unforgivable, but she had also been duped by Tomas. Mari didn’t know the sweet lies he whispered to Sandria, but she could imagine. He had been charming when he wanted to be, but still, she knowingly carried on with Tomas, despite his and Mari’s engagement. A real friend wouldn’t do that.
Mari suspected that Sandria was only sorry because Tomas went to prison and their plans fell through.
Still, she didn’t have to make her mind up just yet. Mari was more than happy to let Sandria wait for a reply.
“Your girlfriend is running,” Winter said. He wore the dark contacts and wraparound sunglasses that made bright days tolerable.
Mari’s lips pulled up in a grin. “Oh, can we call Clarity his girlfriend now? Or are we still forbidden from speaking about her?”
“What about Clarity?” A Tal male approached, a serious frown on his face. The effect was somewhat mitigated by the small kit who clutched his hand and toddled along next to him. Beside him, a human woman carried an umbrella to shade herself from the sun. Mari recognized Clarity’s parents, Merit and Kalini, and her sister, Felicity.
Zero bolted upright. “Mr. Isteimlas. Nothing. We don’t talk about your daughter. I mean, we’re excited for her race. We’re Clarity’s number one fans.”
Valerian nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. Delightful girl. Beautiful aura.”
Merit’s ears went forward like he did not know how to respond to that.
“Join us. We have another blanket and plenty of cold drinks,” Mari said. Clarity’s parents joined them, bringing their own picnic basket to share.
When Clarity walked onto the track for her race, they surged to their feet as one, hollering and cheering. She waved awkwardly, embarrassed but pleased.
Clarity finished well. “She is better at endurance than short sprints,” Zero said.
When she finished, she found the party and collapsed onto the ground. Bits of grass stuck to her sweaty shin and forearms. “I’m starving,” she announced. “Feed me.”
“I’m hungry too,” Zero added, looking hopefully at the thick sandwich Kalini handed Clarity.
“You act like we don’t feed you,” Mari said, then nudged the basket toward Zero. “Go on. There’s the nut mix you like.”
The two teenagers shared their bounty of sandwiches and nuts, barely pausing to breathe between bites. The conversation drifted to the coming academic year.
“I do not think I want to run cross-country next year. I think I’d like to join the band.” Zero paused, his tail motionless.
Winter nodded and Zero’s posture relaxed. “What of your teammates? You have made several good friends.”
“We’re going to make a band! I want to learn to play that Earth instrument, the wooden one with the strings. It is very cool.” He strummed an imaginary guitar. At least Marigold assumed he meant a guitar. Zero very well could have considered a mandolin or ukulele to be cool. Or a lute. There was no telling with that kit.
Winter
