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“Okay.” Her smile widened, happy they’d have a private moment to say goodbye before he left for his welcome home party. “I’ll be right back,” she said to her mom as they headed toward the door.

“No, you won’t. Take a few days off, sweetheart. Go see the city or something,” Carol insisted and leaned in to give her a kiss.

Nadzia glanced around and sure enough her clothes hadn’t been brought up to the room. That also explained why there was only one cot.

She dodged the kiss and scowled at her mom. “That’s what you two were talking about earlier. You were conspiring to ban me from Dad’s room.”

“It’s not like that.” Carol squeezed her arm.

“I know, Mom, but it would’ve been nice if you asked me. Maybe I don’t want you going through this alone,” she countered, feeling more than a little hurt.

“Honey, you can come visit in a few days but I’d like some time alone.”

She opened her mouth to say something then shut it as it occurred to her, her mom had been really strong ever since all this happened. No doubt a lot of that was for her and Abby’s benefit.

“Okay, Momma. I love you. Thank you for being amazing.” She hugged Carol and could feel the slight tremble in her mom.

“You can contact or see each other at any time,” Aculus reassured them then escorted her to the door.

Nadzia blew a kiss to both her parents before walking out.

“She’s going to spend the next day crying,” Nadzia sighed once they were out of range of the room.

“Brennan will be all right. Cartil assured me there should be no issues,” Aculus reiterated.

“Yes, thank you.” She wrapped an arm around him as they walked. “But that’s part of it.”

“I’m confused.” Aculus’ brow furrowed.

“We’re both relieved, like we’ve run this marathon and passed a major hurdle. Sometimes that comes out as a burst of emotion.” She shrugged, not able to explain it any better.

“I don’t like seeing you or Matron Carol cry. Even the look in your eye now pains me.” Aculus squeezed her tighter.

“You are sweet. Thank you again.” She leaned her head against him, soaking up his comfort.

They reached an odd thing that reminded her of a mix between an escalator and a spiral staircase, that had a baby with a model of DNA, one spiral going up, the other twisting downward.

“These were not meant for people like me,” she commented, looking at the lack of railing as Aculus helped her onto one of the rotating platforms.

“We don’t break that easily.”

“I guess not.” She knocked on his bony armor.

He kindly helped her off at the bottom.

“Wonderful. Are you ready to return to the Sanctuary?” one of the Matrons asked.

That’s Axilla, she reminded herself.

“Yes,” Aculus replied.

“The conveyances are waiting.” Tellar gestured out the front door.

“I wish to hear about your world, come sit next to me. We will ride in the cool compartment,” Axilla said as she took hold of her arm.

Nadzia winced at the woman’s firm grasp.

“Matron, you are holding her too tight,” Aculus barked.