Page 27

“The majority of us will find our ways in the stars.”Reem nodded.“One way or another.”

Sage looked at her and smiled.“One way or another.”

Reem nodded.“I need to rest.I wish everyone a good evening.”She got to her feet, bowed, and left the room.

Her guards escorted her back to her room, and the Zellic were still smiling foolishly at her.She got into her quarters and out of the borrowed dress as fast as she could.It didn’t feel right to wear things that were not hers.

Three more dinners in the borrowed dress, and they reached Aten.Aten had arranged his world strategically to be the hub of many Hmrain.

Reem stood in her normal office wear and carried her small bag with her.Her guards walked her to the shuttle bay.A shout made them stop.“Miss!Comptroller!You forgot your dress!”

A crewman was running toward her with the dress in his hand.

She sighed and took it.“It isn’t mine.It was loaned to me and should be returned to a recycling unit.”

Sage’s voice said softly, “It looks lovely on you, so keep it.”

Reem huffed and stuffed it into her bag.“Thank you for retrieving it.”

The crewman smiled as if she had complimented everything he had ever done.

Sage snorted and pulled her toward the shuttle.“Come on.Almost there.”

Reem walked with her, took a seat, and was with the Hmrain and consort, heading for the endless light of Aten.

When Reem left the shuttle, she saw two gold statues, one with wings, one without.When they both moved, she blinked.Oh, right.Ra and Harwin.

She walked behind Zell and Sage; etiquette kicked in.She moved slowly and let the Hmrain greet each other.Sage and Harwin hugged.

Harwin frowned.“Weren’t you bringing Jasmine’s cousin?”

“Sure.Reem is...where is she?”Sage looked around and saw the woman thirty feet back.“That’s her.”

Harwin beckoned for Reem to come closer, so she did.“Greetings, consort of Ra.”

Harwin blinked.“Right.I guess that is a formal greeting.”

Reem nodded.“You seem to be adapting well.”

Small flying drones came toward them, and they began to circle Reem.She told them to behave, and they formed up neatly at her side.

Harwin stared.“That’s new.”

“Apologies.They were just curious.”

“Right.Well, we have a specialized restoration unit for you.”

Reem cocked her head.“Why?”

“Because Ra was told you have a brain injury.”

“I did.I have an implant.”

A new voice called out, “She always was stubborn.It was part of her charm.”

Reem looked at a woman in a bodysuit who walked out of the pyramid.“Jasmine.”

Jasmine ran to her and hugged her.Reem opened her arms and returned the hug with precisely the amount of force necessary to show enthusiasm.