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Dorian stepped forward, his posture remarkably less tense now that the discussion had moved on to another topic. ‘I think I might know a place.’

I gestured for him to go on.

‘I don’t think we’re going to find any place that ticks all our boxes, but I’m from the Border System. Gerinium, to be more specific.’

‘But doesn’t the IU have charities set up all over the Border System to help with the underprivileged families that make up its populace?’ asked Cadmus, and Dorian winced at the description of his home being regarded in such a negative light. Unfortunately, despite Cadmus’s lack of tact, there was truth to his words.

‘The IU is currently focused on helping those on Burnos rebuild after the wildfires,’ Henrik piped in.

‘Gerinium is largely left alone. We don’t really have an IU presence anymore, so we’re governing ourselves for the most part,’ Dorian elaborated.

‘So you’re suggesting a lawless planet all but forgotten by the IU, even though your family is there and we will be putting them in harm’s way?’ the captain asked, needing confirmation.

‘My family can take care of themselves, but yes,’ he finished, though the statement left me with more questions. ‘We chose the Forbidden planet originally because it was abandoned and beyond the IU’s scope, a planet abandoned by an entire warrior race because it was too dangerous even for them. Now that we know even that’s not an option, I don’t see any place better than Gerinium.’

‘I agree. I can’t think of any other option. I vote we head to Gerinium,’ I said, opening up the floor for the others’ input.

When no one objected, I turned to Eloria. ‘That settles it, then. Make course for Gerinium, GC.’

‘Yes, Captain,’ she said with a quick salute, then turned around to start pressing buttons on the control panel, bringing up a hologram of the Intergalactic Union to plot our course.

I rose from my seated position, a fast asleep Baldr cradled in one arm while I used the other to stroke soothing circles on his back. ‘You can all head out now. I need to make another call.’

‘To Libby?’ asked Addy.

‘No,’ I sighed. ‘Bromm asked me to contact his parents to let them know he’s all right.’

Cadmus frowned. ‘But he’s not all right. He’s unconscious and can’t breathe without assistance.’

I wanted to face-palm. I couldn’t believe I forgot.

‘He’s stuck in the web. He met me there when I entered to open the hangar doors on Nova Station. He asked me to contact them then.’

‘Wait,what?’Cadmus all but shrieked, the emotional outburst coming from him shocking me more than anything. ‘Why didn’t you say so sooner?’

I didn’t understand the underscore of hurt in his tone and his words, but I was too exhausted to do delve deeper into the reasons behind it. Instead, I sent him an apologetic look I hoped conveyed my regret.

‘I intended to. I wasn’t trying to keep it from any of you,’ I started, then my shoulders slumped as I hung my head, shame at forgetting something so vital heating my cheeks. ‘I think I’m too tired to keep my head straight. I’m sorry I didn’t mention it sooner.’

‘But he’s okay?’ he pushed, but when I looked up his eyes were guarded.

‘Yes. As far as he can be. He doesn’t know what’s happening so I promised to keep him in the loop until he wakes up.’

‘I guess you’ll need someone else to warm your bed at night while he’s asleep then?’ he teased, and tension I hadn’t even realised was running through my muscles dropped at his unspoked forgiveness.

I gestured pointedly to Bal and Dave Junior. ‘I think I’m all set, thanks.’

‘Pity,’ he pouted, but then a playful, lopsided smirk just barely pulled at the right corner of his lips and I knew we were okay.

Yawns cascaded throughout the room, one setting off another until we were all stretching our jaws. I wasn’t the only one who was about to succumb to exhaustion, and I finally dismissed them with a wave of my hand, turning to the holo-table to finish my last task before I could rest.

‘Do you think that’s a good idea right now?’ Eloria asked, freezing my arm as I reached towards the controls.

‘What?’

She eyed the contact information I’d pulled up with trepidation. ‘You and the prince are in a romantic relationship, correct? Or have I read the situation wrong?’

The space between my brows narrowed as I tried to glean the direction of her questions. ‘We are,’ I spoke slowly.