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‘We won’t make it.’ Killen said the words matter of fact.

The group rounded on him.

He raised his hands to calm their worry. ‘We weren’t meant to make it out before their arrival.’

‘Nada,’ moaned Élisa under her breath. ‘They’ll be too much for us all. They will kill us all.’

‘Mother, they will not,’ Killen said, rubbing her arm to comfort her. ‘I have seen the hereafter. While a battle lies ahead of us, and we’ll pay a cost, there is a chance we will prevail.’

His words hung in the air for a long moment, and then he and Riv exchanged a long look of understanding.

Riv encircled Élisa’s waist and murmured into her ear. ‘Your son sees what we cannot, and we must trust him. Also, we Riders are stronger, faster, and more lethal than you remember. We’ll make a way.’

Élisa didn’t look convinced and leaned away from her lover, her face closed.

Undaunted, Riv edged closer. ‘Talk to me, beautiful.’

She served him a long look and sighed. ‘May I speak with you? Outside?’

‘Of course, my love.’

He followed Élisa to the external courtyard to the rear, where the low calls of the dzo sounded as they settled in for the night.

‘I’m not comfortable with this plan.’ Her hands were crossed over her chest, her face set in tension. ‘Going anywhere near the Ka’SHärd might harm Killen even more. Staying here on Devansi to tangle with it is a major risk. Hanging around till my people arrive, that’s suicide.’

‘Élisa, I understand -,’ Riv attempted.

She swerved around to face him, gritting her teeth. ‘Do you? You haven’t agonized as your son goes blind before your eyes and seen the suffering it brought him. You didn’t spend long, arduous days helping him learn how to adjust and compensate. It was so painful to witness his frustration. And now, for us to agree, with such casual ease, to this hare-brained plan is beyond me. It’ll also delay our exit from Devansi. We’ll lose the advantage of time.’

Riv sucked his lips, shaking his head. ‘Killen says we won’t make it, and Zane agrees. Mirage confirms the Katánian fleet has accelerated and will be here very soon. If we leave the planet, they’ll detect us anyway and give chase. We’ve sent word to Eden II. Let’s hope Kainan gets here before the fleet arrives. It’s our best chance.’

‘Is it?’ Élisa whispered. ‘You have no idea how fierce my people are, how unrelenting they are in combat.’

Riv inclined his head, conceding. ‘That’s true,malaíka, I don’t. I’ve never faced them. Given Killen’s hereafter gift, maybe he knows best. It would be best to let him do what he thinks is necessary. Stop worrying; he’s a young man who can make up his mind.’

Élisa hissed, her face contorting with emotion. ‘Don’t tell me how to parent him, Riv. You weren’t here for most of his life. You haven’t seen what he’s been through. He may be wise to all things divine, but he never had companionship, friends, formal training, or a social life. He’s eager for adventure with you, but that might be the thing that kills him. I know what he needs. And it’s not traipsing on an escapade that might end him.’

Riv held his hands up in surrender. ‘What if I can speak to Mirage and devise something to give Killen that dampens the impact of the entity on his hawkstone, and perhaps the same for you?’

She served him with incredulity. ‘You can do that?’

‘We’ve fashioned many workarounds over the years. I’ll see what I can do.’

She looked away from him with a soft exhale as her anxiety abated somewhat. ‘Please.’

‘What of everything else?’ he rasped. ‘Will you let Killen’s advice and Zane’s psi-abilities lead us? Will you trust that we Riders and, most of all, Killen believe the best course of action is to face the nebula first, then tackle your fleet?’

Élisa appeared to give his words some thought. ‘I’ll step back and let your plan go ahead, but Riv, if anything happens to Killen -’

‘I know. I’m here, I’m his Father, and I’ll do my damnedest to be his protector now. Will you let me?’

The lovers shared a long look.

With a tired smile, Élisa reached a hand to stroke his. ‘Sounds like I’ve got to start trusting you and him now. It’s hard to let go, but I need to.’

‘Wise words, my silver star.’

He touched his lips to hers, and then Élisa gave him a tired smile, pivoting back into the house. ‘I’d better get back to hosting my guests.’