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“He got that from Pro, didn’t he?” Carol laughed.

“Yeah. And that’s the day I started to fall in love with him.”

“Mmm hmm.” Her mother nodded.

“What do you mean, mmm hmm?” She looked sideways at her mother.

“Honey, the way you carry on with that man, it’s kinda hard to miss.”

She gaped at her mom. Carol reached out at closed her mouth.

“So, is this what you meant by me making everything all better?” Carol asked.

She nodded.

“Nadzia, I know leaving home, your big sisters and everything you know along with everything we’ve been through is a lot to deal with. It has a way of turning you inside out.”

“You could say that,” she agreed to the massive understatement.

“But just think about what your life would be like without Aculus.”

“Like I said, moms make everything better.” She kissed her mom.

“It’s our super power.” Carol squeezed her tight.

Nadzia held onto her mom for a minute, wallowing in the comfort that only she could provide.

“I need to go back to the Sanctuary,” she said as she released her.

“I bet the guard in the hall can help you with that.” Carol smiled, wearing a knowing motherly expression.

Aculus

“You have to convince her,” Merus slurred.

“Maybe you can abduct her like my Daimio did Giselle.” Payim wavered on his feet as they headed up the cruiser ramp.

I could just keep her. She’s so small it would be easy. Tiny, like the poisonous archnoa. No, no, no, bad idea, he reminded himself.

“Nadzia would break me in two.” He shook his head at the Cadi warrior. “Go home,” Aculus said to the cruiser, engaging the autopilot since none of them were in any condition to operate it manually.

“You’re right. Giselle didn’t react too well, and then she helped win our civil war.” Payim’s head bobbed as he strapped in.

“My credits are on Nadzia. She’ll break your shell in the first round.” Scala nodded gregariously.

“My luck Nadzia would blow me up like Riley did Distraho.” The words were barely coherent as they came out of his mouth.

“She doesn’t have incendiaries, does she?” Merus asked as he collapsed into one of the seats.

“No.” He shook his head. Then paused as he tried to remember if she had access to explosives or not. He looked at Scala for confirmation.

Scala gaped at him and shrugged.

“No. No she doesn’t,” he repeated, nearly certain that was right. “But I wouldn’t put it past the little goddess. She’s amazing. She sprang from the earth today.”

“You’re inebriated,” Merus declared.

“No. Well yes, I am, but it’s true. She got lost in some caves and miraculously made it out in the middle of the fauna refuge.”