Page 126

Later, the group gathered in the captain’s ready room for a sumptuous meal.

The fare was created with Phantasm’s freshest food ingredients from Dunia and Galicia’s farms and markets.

They dived into platters of spiced meats to delectable seafood, braised vegetables, fruits, cheeses, and a selection of fine wines. Salads, breads, rolls, and butter were abundant, as was a galaxy-wide variety of seasonings and condiments.

The meal ended with a rich fruit pie dessert and decadent Tansinian vanilla cream.

‘This is so unusual yet delicious,’ Killen commented as his eyes sparkled, taking in the plentiful bounty.

Tears pricked Élisa’s eyes as she thought of how deprived her son had been for much of his life.

‘Mother, don’t,’ he cautioned, without even looking at her. ‘You’ll ruin my current bliss.’

She gave a half laugh and let the matter drop, indulging instead in the fine wine.

Riv kept topping up her glass, and she relaxed, letting her gaze fall on him.

A smile came to her lips at the look in his eyes.

He was always thinking of her, and the assuredness of his care for her was melting away any last walls she’d put up.

Even though she was bracing for the inevitable battle ahead, the one she could hold on to, even to the last feather on herkoya,was that Riv was her end-all, be-all.

Her son had his sight, and so did she. She now needed to trust that the journey ahead would work out in their favor.

What she wanted now was Riv’s arms around her, how well their bodies still melded together, even after all these years.

She marveled at how their bond, created by their love, strengthened by the minute.

Tuned into her, Riv leaned and gently kissed her ear. ‘Later, my love, I promise to make all your dreams come true.’

She shuddered in anticipation that lingered after the meal when they left the table and moved in front of the large plex window that dominated the quarters.

Riv sat on a long couch and pulled Élisa onto his lap.

‘It’s a stunning vista.’ She lifted her face and gave him a light kiss.

They were looking over the now clear skies above Devansi, packed with glowing meteorites and shooting stars.

‘’Tis. The most gorgeous view, however, is the one next to me.’

His husky rasp deepened, and his adoring eyes ran over her face. His hand trailed into her silver hair and caressed the back of her neck.

She stroked his cheek, feeling its strength and chiseled power underneath her fingertips. ‘I can’t fathom how I existed without your love. During all those cold years, I spent hours imagining you beside me. I tried to recreate your voice, your essence, the touch of your lips. Even though you’re here, I think I’m still in a dream. One where my first love, my young prince, is now the proud, powerful King of my heart, a man beyond measure.’

Riv gave her his half smile, the one she loved so much. ‘Which makes you my Queen, a woman who surpasses all others with grace and elegance unimaginable.’

‘If I’m dreaming, Riv, never wake me up. Because we belong together for the rest of our lives, this dreamscape. You’re the only one I want to lean on when times get rough, the only soul I want to talk with ‘til the sun comes up. I may get salty with you from time to time, but no one else can ever take your place.’

Riv buried his face in her neck as she stroked his hair.

They remained that way until Zane strode into the space.

‘How’s Kisan?’ Élisa asked as Riv untangled himself from her.

The sapphire-eyed Rider sat across the couple with a heavy sigh. ‘He’s being examined and insisting on watching holos to understand the full extent of what Ankis was and who he was. He’s shaken from how wretched and twisted he’d become.’

‘What happened to him?’ Riv asked. ‘Has he shared?’