Page 76 of Breakaway
"I'm in a foul mood," she tells me, but the door slides open, letting me into her space.
"You can be in a bad mood," I say, stepping into her private ship and looking around. It's neat, a lot more packed with stuff than I have in my ship, but she's in hers more than I am. That and she likes things, trinkets from planets we've been to, clothing that's customary for each place. She's sentimental, and I wish I were more like her in that way.
"Are you just checking to make sure I'm staying in bed?" she asks.
"That and asking for your help," I say, glancing over to where she's propped up on about fifteen different pillows.
That's another thing we don't have in common. She and Skia both have more pillows than anyone needs. They swear their shadows enjoy them, so who am I to judge? It could be a normal Sombran thing, and I'm only unaware since I grew up on Earth.
Isha perks up at being of use and waits for me to continue.
"A few more job requests have come in since this whole ordeal with Reese. I'm hoping to take some time off, and I need someone to approve or reject them."
She looks at me with wide eyes, her shadows all wiggling about through the small slivers between pillows and blankets. "You're asking me?"
"Of course," I tell her, frowning to hear her sound so surprised by it. "Are you interested? If not, I'm sure Kolos will do it, but be warned, I have no idea if he'll take it seriously or not."
"No, I mean, yes," Isha shakes her head. "I'm very much interested. I thought…" she trails off, her tanned skin tinting pink in her cheeks.
"You thought what?" I ask.
"With everything that happened with Reese, I thought you'd ask me to leave."
"Gods no," I gasp. "And be stuck between your emotionless brother and Kolos, who can't take anything seriously? No, gods, Isha, you're needed on this ship. One mistake–one that you couldn't possibly think to plan for–doesn't mean you're no longer part of the crew."
Isha's jaw is set, but I've known her long enough to tell that she's feeling more relieved than she will ever let any of us know. She swallows hard and then seems to set herself right.
"I'll inform Skia of my new position so he can stop bothering me about how I'm doing," Isha says, a smile forming on her lips. "He was worried, but the trial with his human started today, and he won't leave her until it's seen through."
"I told him we're watching over you," I scoff. "He doesn't need to be bothering you."
"As much as I feel like all of you are my brothers, he really is, and he's the biggest worrier I've ever met." Isha's back to her good humor. Her only concern truly must've been that she wasbeing let go because of what happened, and that hadn't crossed my mind even once. If anything, I thought she was taking too much of it on herself when it wasn't her fault.
"Looks like he has one emotion then," I mumble, ducking when Isha throws a small decorative pillow at my head. I hold my hands up, chuckling. "Okay, okay. I see I'm now in hostile territory. I'll take my leave."
Just as I'm about to head out, Isha stops me. "I'm happy you found someone. Even happier you're taking some time for yourself."
"You all act as if Mauve isn't calling me down for weeks at a time every year," I say, and then more seriously add on. "But yes, I'm happy as well. Next up is finding everyone else's soulbonds, don't you think?"
"I'll let you be the one to tell Kolos," Isha says, shaking her head.
If I were to ask any of my crew, they'd all say they're fine, whether or not they find their soulbond. They'd be dirty fucking liars, but it would be their answer. Or rather, that would be Isha and Skia's answers. Kolos would tell me he's living just fine without his, even though his shadows are limp pools of sadness almost every second of every day. But, I don't know. I just have this feeling that a lot has changed already, but there's so much that's still to happen.
"Thanks again for your help," I tell her.
"Thanks for, well, you know," Isha says to my back as the door to her private ship opens so I can leave.
"Anytime."
I walk through the door, letting it slide closed behind me. Reese is still asleep. I don't want to wake her, but at the same time, I really need to be around her right now. It feels like I need to be around her every second of every moment for a good long while until my shadows and my own mind stop freaking out withthe thought that something has happened to her. So, as much as I tell myself to go somewhere else on the ship and get some work done, I find myself standing in the doorway to my ship, staring at the little human asleep in my bed.
In a few strides, I'm beside the bed, a few heartbeats, and my shoes are kicked off, shirt removed. We won't wake her. I make my shadows swear we won't wake her. But as soon as I lift the blankets to crawl in beside Reese, she stirs. It's just a small movement at first, and then a soft little groan she always lets out because waking is just the worst when she's sleeping so well.
Zill? What time is it?Reese's thoughts aren't directed at me, which is why they come out at a normal volume. No, it isn't until she actually wakes, rolling onto her back, that she's purposefully talking to me. Her voice is loud and obtrusive and so perfectly her.Zill! Good morning! What time is it?
"You came in here to take a nap," I remind her. "It's not even time for dinner."
"Mmm, well, come get in bed with me and help me kill some time until it's time to eat," she says, offering me her hand and pulling me down to lie with her.
