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"Very well," Kalex said, though his expression suggested he didn't quite believe my sudden urgency. "You can use the secure communication channel in my strategy room.”

I nodded, turning away from Morgan without a backward glance.

Chapter

Fifty-Six

Reina

Iwalked down the transport’s ramp, the familiar scent of engine oil and recycled air washing over me as I descended into the hangar bay of the Island. Home. After months at the Academy, the sensory rush hit me like a wave.

Everything at the Academy was ancient and filled with symbolism. Here, everything was new and bright. The dark stone had grown on me, but I was thrilled to be back on a modern space station.

“Reina, thanks heavens!”

Serge barreled toward me with such enthusiasm that several mechanics turned to stare. His spiky purple hair was even higher than I remembered, and his turquoise suit was accented with an orange striped ascot, which matched his platform boots.

"I thought you'd never return," he said, tipping his head back and gripping my hands in his. "Do you have any idea what I've been through? Three dozen weddings and not asingle competent assistant to help me navigate the one bride’s ridiculous demand for vegan everything and another’s desire to have attendants dressed like wood nymphs, whatever those are.”

I laughed, the tension in my shoulders finally releasing. "I've missed you too, Serge."

He sniffed, examining me from head to toe. “You look unchanged.” Then he leaned closer. “Did life in a military academy change you? You aren’t fond of epaulets and dark colors now, are you?”

“Never!” I fell in step beside him as he led me through the hangar bay. The sound of maintenance droids beeping, hammers pounding steel, and fighters engaging engines were both familiar and comforting.

“Well, you're home now," Serge said, waving his hand dramatically. "And just in time. New tributes arrive any day now.”

We passed through the open doorway and into the corridor, Serge chattering nonstop.

"—and then a bride insisted on bringing her emotional support lizards to the reception. Lizards! Do you know how many decorative pillows were destroyed?" He paused mid-sentence. "But enough about my brides. Tell me about yours. How's Noora? Has she come to her senses about that brute yet?"

I smiled, remembering that the last time I'd seen Serge I’d been rushing to join Noora as she was forced to leave with the admiral. "Actually, they're disgustingly happy. She's thriving at the Academy, and Zoran is very different with her now.”

Serge's eyebrows shot up and his roots became pink. "Zoran? Different? The man who practically dragged her off the Island?"

"I was skeptical too," I admitted as we stepped into an inclinator compartment, and the doors swished shut.

"But it's true," I continued. "They're good together. She challenges him, and he mellowed. Slightly. Of course, he’s still intimidating to everyone else."

Serge snorted. "I'll believe it when I see it."

“Does that mean you want to visit, hon?”

Serge sagged against the wall, the light pulling lavender behind him. “Me go to a dark castle filled with nothing but young Drexians and no weddings to plan? Perish the thought.”

I laughed at that, not mentioning that because of all the recent pairings there would be weddings to plan eventually.

“How do you bear it, darling?” Serge asked in a whisper, as if we weren’t alone in the inclinator.

"It took time to adjust to the austereness, but I’ve made friends. The human women have an incredible solidarity.”

Serge's eyes lit up. "Speaking of humans from the academy, Morgan helped me review the new shipment of wedding gowns this morning.”

My heart skipped. "Morgan's still here?"

He bobbed his head up and down. “So is that adjunct of Zoran’s, the tall, brooding one with the cheekbones."

"Tivek," I supplied, keeping my voice casual. “So, tell me more about how they arrived.”