Page 110

He got to the front of the rock structure and, walking up to Élisa, stared into her face. ‘It can’t be.’

Her eyes, too, widened in recognition. ‘Zane?’

‘Nada!How can this be?’

By now, Riv had reached them. ‘’Tis true, brother, believe it,’ he rasped, wrapping an arm around Élisa’s waist.

She nodded, giving the lean, handsome Rider a wide smile.

With a guttural sound, Zane folded the slight woman in his arms.

Xion and Ki’Remi caught up to the group, staring in shock at Élisa, then back at Killen.

‘’Tis eons since you left us,’ Zane murmured, pulling Élisa away so he could study her. ‘Is this where you’ve been all this time?’

She nodded. ‘Welcome to my home. Xion?’

The loc-haired Sableman stepped forward, mouth agape, head shaking. ‘Woman, what torture we endured wondering where you’d gone.’

She hugged him and then took a step back with a sad smile. ‘I’m so sorry you had to. I’ll let Riv tell you everything. In the meantime, meet our son. Killen.’

The three Riders lurched in a second wave of collective shock.

When he found his tongue, Zane pointed a finger at his brother and then at Élisa. ‘You both have a child? Is the time warp on this godforsaken planet that gnarly?’

Riv’s lips turned up at the ends. ‘Nada, you idiot. Killen was born soon after Élisa departed from Eden II all that time ago.’

The Riders exchanged glances.

‘Just after you left us?’ Xion’s voice was steeped in sadness.

Élisa sighed. ‘It’s a long story. Come inside, friends. We’ve much to fill each other in on.’

The sun set as the group immersed themselves in telling, retelling, and sharing their pasts and experiences.

Until all six individuals, torn apart by sorrow and reunited by circumstance, were on the same page.

During their catch-up session, they’d shared more of Killen’s brew.

Along with a batch of delicious fresh flatbread that Élisa and Riv baked the day before, there was a selection of sliced meats, nuts, fruits, and pickles from the rock garden.

‘Kainan will never believe this shit,’ Xion commented.

‘He’ll lose his mind when he learns you are found, Élisa.’ Zane still looked stunned. ‘Even back then, as our leader, he felt responsible that one of us was missing.’

She gave the Rider a soft smile. ‘I’m not lost anymore.’

‘Tis the best news since I learned of my daughter’s birth.’ Zane served her with a gentle smile. ‘Now all we need to do is pick up Ankis, and then we can all go home.’

Élisa’s face fell. ‘About that. Killen and I cannot go back to Eden II with you. I haven’t mentioned to you, Zane, Xion, and Ki’Remi that my son and I must return to Katáne.’

Ki’Remi raised a brow. ‘Why? Isn’t that the place you ran from and want nothing to do with?’

‘Naam.’ Élisa was unable to keep the glum note from her voice. ‘But both Killen and I need a medic. My son lost his sight because the Ka’SHärd pulled on his hawkstone, and I’m also blind in one eye for the same reason. I remember there was an old healer on a moon of our planet who specialized in lodestone removals.’

Zane tilted his head to consider her words. ‘You need a healer?’

‘We do.’