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Tivek. Not Tiv. The intensity of the disappointment that flooded through me was startling. Had I so completely misread her feelings? Misinterpreted what had happened between us?

"Perhaps," I said slowly, grasping for something to say, "when you return to Earth after the academy, I might still be there."

She shrugged, the casual gesture a knife between my ribs. "Who knows what I'll do after the academy? That's years away."

I kept my expression carefully neutral, the mask I'd worn for so long slipping back into place as if it had never fallen. Of course. It had been the stress of our situation that had drawn her to me. It had been a shipboard romance in the starkest of ways. Now that we were safe and now that we were no longer facing death together, things had changed.

I could have kicked myself for being so foolish. I’d transformed a shipboard fling into something it wasn't, reading meaning into moments that had been nothing more than a temporary connection forged in crisis.

At least I hadn't yet rejected the promotion. That would have been a mistake I couldn't undo.

"You're right," I said, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. "Years away. Many things can change in that time."

Her smile remained fixed, even as she swallowed. "Exactly."

I studied her one last time, committing the way her pale hair caught in the moonlight to memory. "I should go. It's late, and we both need rest."

"Goodnight, Tivek."

"Goodnight, Morgan."

I turned and vaulted smoothly over the railing, landing on my own balcony with barely a sound. For a moment, I thought I heard a choked sob from behind me, but when I paused to listen, there was nothing but the sound of holographic waves lapping at the posts.

I must have imagined it. Just as I had imagined that Morgan felt as strongly about me as I did about her. Stepping into my own suite, the door slid shut behind me with a soft hiss that sounded too much like a mournful sigh.

Chapter

Fifty-Three

Reina

"Now where did I put that scarf?" I muttered, rummaging through my dresser drawers. "The pink one with the little sparkly things on the edges.”

I pulled out the garment with a triumphant flourish, sending several other scarves tumbling to the floor in my enthusiasm. My quarters were simple and small, tucked right next to the Admiral and Noora's much larger rooms, but I'd done my best to brighten the space. Colorful tapestries adorned the dark stone walls, and I'd scattered cushions in every shade imaginable across the standard-issue bed and atop the straight-back chairs.

My open suitcase lay on the bed, already overflowing with clothes. I wasn't sure how long I'd be staying at the Island, so I was bringing, well, everything.

I pulled open my wardrobe and started pulling out dresses, one after another. A lime green dress with orange swirls. A hot pink number with electric blue geometric patterns. A sunshine yellow column dress with purple feathers along the hem.

"It will be nice to not be the only one wearing colors again," I said to myself, holding the yellow dress against my body and twirling in front of the mirror.

Everyone at the academy wore dark uniforms. The humans were a little better, bringing in some variety with their casual clothes, but even the Drexian athletic outfits were dark and monochromatic. I carefully folded the dress and tucked it into my suitcase, smoothing out the feathers.

As much as I'd loved my adventure at the academy, I couldn't deny the flutter of excitement in my stomach at the thought of returning to the Island. Even if it was just for a visit.

That's what I'd told Noora, anyway. But was it only a visit? My usefulness at the academy had waned considerably since Noora had settled into married life. She no longer needed a friend to support her through her ordeal like she had when Zoran had practically abducted her from Earth. Now she had the Admiral. To be fair, Zoran had turned out to be much less scary than I'd initially thought.

Noora had also made friends with many of the female cadets and instructors from Earth, which meant that I was no longer essential. But from what he’d said when I’d spoken to him, Serge needed me. And I did so love to be needed.

Truth be told, I also missed the tribute brides and the excitement of weddings. Despite the stress and occasional catastrophes, planning weddings was much more thrilling than watching cadets march to and from classes every day.

Not that I wouldn’t miss some things about the academy. It had been nice to be on a solid planet again, but a part of me wasready to see stars and enjoy the creature comforts of holographic technology.

A crisp knock at my door interrupted my packing. I pressed the panel beside the door, expecting to see Noora, since she'd promised to help me finish organizing my things before dinner.

But it wasn't Noora. It was Jess and Britta, two of the human cadets. They stood awkwardly in the hallway, glancing at each other as if silently debating who should speak first.

I stepped back to let them in. "What a lovely surprise!"