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Chapter Thirty-Two

C allie

The transport’s engines hum beneath us as we clear Sanctorii’s upper atmosphere.

Through the viewport, I can see the Galaxy Warrior’s familiar silhouette growing larger against the backdrop of Sanctorii’s twin moons.

My hand rests in Aries’ as we watch our former prison—and our salvation—disappear into the star field.

“Any regrets?” he asks softly, his thumb tracing circles on my palm.

“About leaving?” I shake my head, leaning into his warmth. “That cottage served its purpose. It taught us how to love each other. But it was never meant to be permanent.”

“No,” he agrees, pressing a kiss to my temple. “It was a beginning, not an ending.”

The past week since our redemption has been a whirlwind—debriefings with the Committee, final documentation of our successful trials, and countless preparations for our return to our comrades.

But through it all, the freedom to touch him whenever I want, to sleep curled against his warmth without barriers, has felt like a miracle I’m still adjusting to .

“We should be docking with the Galaxy Warrior soon,” our pilot announces over the comm. “I’m told the other ship, the Devil’s Playground will join you shortly. Prepare for transfer.”

My stomach flutters with anticipation. After months away, we’ll finally see our two crews again—our found family who believed in us when we couldn’t believe in ourselves. And more importantly, we’ll begin the next chapter of our lives together.

“Nervous?” Aries asks, noting my expression.

“Excited,” I correct, squeezing his hand. “We get to go home. Our real home, with our people.”

“And we get to choose which ship becomes our permanent home.” He gives me a meaningful look.

When our group grew large enough to split into two ships, I jumped at the chance to choose the Devil’s Playground .

It wasn’t just that it had safer assignments than the Galaxy Warrior —that was reason enough.

But the real reason? The Galaxy Warrior was Aries’ ship.

And I didn’t want to be anywhere near him.

Now, though, the Devil’s Playground represents a different possibility—a fresh start where we can simply be Aries and Callie, together. Yet, even now, we haven’t made a firm decision.

Spark zooms excitedly around the transport’s small cabin, trailing sparkles of anticipation. The shimmerling seems as eager as we are to rejoin the crew who’ve become our family.

“I’ve been thinking about Captain Beast’s offer,” he says quietly. “About joining his crew permanently.”

Aries’ eyes meet mine, warmth and affection in their golden depths. “After everything we’ve been through, the idea of combat missions and constant danger feels… ”

“Exhausting,” I finish. “I want time to just be with you. To build something together without looking over our shoulders.”

“The Devil’s Playground’s transport and trading missions would give us that,” he agrees. “A chance to heal, to grow into who we are together.”

The comm crackles: “Docking sequence initiated. Welcome home.”

Home. The word carries new weight now, encompassing not just the ships that carry us through space, but the man beside me, the crew who chose to be our family, and the future we’re building one choice at a time.

As the Galaxy Warrior comes into view through the transport’s viewport, I feel a surge of pure joy. We’re not returning as the same people who left months ago. We’re returning as partners, as mates, as two souls who found their way back to each other against impossible odds.

“Ready?” Aries asks as we prepare to dock.

“With you?” I smile up at him, this man who’s become my anchor, my passion, my home. “I’m ready for anything.”

The docking bay doors open, revealing familiar faces wreathed in smiles. My heart swells as I see our crew—our family—waiting to welcome us home.

“They’re back!” Anya’s elated shout echoes through the bay as she rushes forward, Captain Zar-Rynn close behind her. Within moments, we’re surrounded—Dr. Drayke scanning us for injuries, Petra bouncing on her toes with excitement, Shadow’s mechanical eye whirring as it adjusts to take us in.

“You’re both alive!” Petra launches herself at me, nearly knocking me off balance. “I was going crazy waiting for news! I know it was a long, grueling time for you, but waiting with no word for months wasn’t easy for any of us. ”

Only then do they notice our linked hands. Shadow’s human eye widens, a slow grin spreading across his scarred face. “Well, that’s certainly an interesting development.”

“Come on, big guy,” Petra playfully punches his massive shoulder. “Like we all haven’t been hoping for this for years?”

Before we can respond, Spark zooms out from behind us, trailing excited sparkles as it performs elaborate spirals around the gathered crew. Their reactions range from Shadow reaching instinctively for his weapon to Petra, gasping in pure delight.

“What in the name of all the gods is that?” Dax demands, his voice deep as he watches Spark create intertwining light patterns in the air.

“This is Spark,” I explain, unable to keep the fondness from my voice. “A companion creature… gifted to us during the trials.”

“It’s adorable!” Petra extends her hand cautiously toward the shimmerling , who immediately nuzzles her palm with gentle warmth.

“Its species is also sentient, highly intelligent, and by the look of it, completely besotted with these two,” Captain Zar-Rynn observes as he approaches, his golden eyes missing nothing—our clasped hands, the wooden flame earrings, the way Aries positions himself protectively at my side even though we’re among friends.

“Captain,” I acknowledge with a respectful nod, though I don’t release Aries’ hand.

“The charges are officially dropped?” he asks, his tone careful but hopeful. “That’s what their comm said, but I want to see the official papers.”

“Complete redemption under Sanctorii law,” Aries confirms, his voice steady with quiet pride. “The death sentence has been commuted. I’m free. ”

Captain Zar-Rynn smiles. It took me months for that fang-filled grin not to terrify me.

“That calls for a celebration,” Captain Zar-Rynn declares. “Captain Beast and the Devil’s Playground crew should be arriving within the hour.”

As if summoned by his words, Captain Beast’s booming voice echoes through the bay: “Starting the party without us?”

Captain Beast’s massive form fills the doorway, his emerald skin and golden nose rings gleaming.

Behind him filters the Devil’s Playground crew—Aerie with her short blonde hair and efficient stride, along with her adoring mate, Maximus.

Vartan, with his distinctive gold and red coloring, strides in with Lyra next to him, looking as badass as ever.

But before anyone can respond, a commanding voice cuts through the celebratory noise: “Captain, your crew hierarchy lacks proper ceremonial protocols. In civilized space, rank is displayed through—”

“Prince Pompous, I swear by all the gods, if you mention your dead empire one more time…” Captain Beast’s growl carries a warning that makes everyone turn.

A tall figure with metallic silver skin and moving tattoos steps into view, his liquid starlight eyes surveying the gathering with obvious disdain. “I merely suggest that formal introductions would be more appropriate than this… chaos.” The male waves a dismissive hand.

Captain Beast turns to us with obvious exasperation.

“You two had trials? We’ve had trials. Two lunars of non-stop royal etiquette lessons.

” He jerks his thumb toward the silver-skinned male.

“We rescued him and some others shortly after we left you on Sanctorii. Meet our rescued Aethonian prince who thinks he’s here to civilize us barbarians. ”

The prince’s gold veins pulse brighter with irritation. “I am Prince Zorath of the Aethonian Empire, and I merely seek to restore proper order to—”

“See what I mean?” Captain Beast cuts him off. “Hope you enjoyed your romantic getaway because we’ve been playing babysitter to Captain Ancient History here.”

The tension breaks as crew members from both ships laugh, and I feel some of the stress from our trials finally lifting. We’re home, among family; even difficult passengers are manageable compared to what we’ve just survived.

Zorath’s mouth pops open with obvious affront at being dismissed, but before he can launch into another lecture, Captain Beast claps him on the shoulder hard enough to make the prince stagger.

“Why don’t you go practice your ‘proper protocols’ somewhere else while I catch up with my people?” Captain Beast suggests with dangerous cheer.

As Zorath stalks away with wounded dignity, his moving tattoos swirling in agitated patterns, Captain Beast shakes his head. “Two months of that. I’m seriously considering spacing him.”

“He can’t be that bad,” I say, watching the prince’s retreating figure.

“Give it five minutes,” Aerie mutters. “He’ll try to reorganize your breathing technique.”

The crew’s laughter follows us as we continue toward the dining area, though I catch a few sympathetic glances aimed at wherever Zorath disappeared to. Despite his insufferable attitude, he’s one of them now—a rescued soul trying to find his place.

Captain “And this little light show?”

“A companion creature,” I explain. “Spark responds to emotional energy and helped us navigate the trials when physical touch was prohibited.”

The shimmerling performs increasingly elaborate displays for Captain Beast, completely enchanting crew members from both ships. Dr. Drayke seems particularly intrigued, his blue fingers carefully tracing patterns in the air that Spark enthusiastically mimics.

“Fascinating,” he murmurs. “The neural pathways required for such responsiveness to emotional stimuli…”

“Later, Doc,” Captain Beast interrupts with amusement. “Right now, I believe congratulations are in order.”

The dining room has been transformed with colorful streamers and a celebratory spread that could feed both crews twice over. Maddie stands proudly behind a massive cake decorated with Sanctorii symbols for redemption and new beginnings.

“I’ve been baking like mad since we got word that you were released early… and that two of you would be returning,” she explains, her eyes bright with unshed tears.

My throat tightens at this tangible proof of how much a part of their lives we are.

The celebration flows around us—toasts and stories, laughter mixing with the underlying current of profound relief. As the evening progresses, I find myself studying the faces of our chosen family, marveling at how they’ve supported us through everything.

“So,” Shadow drawls once we’re all settled with generous slices of cake, “are we going to address the obvious? You two are actually touching now. Voluntarily. After five annums of elaborate avoidance maneuvers that would impress professional dancers.”

Heat blooms on my cheeks, but Aries’ hand remains steady in mine. “The trials required us to face our shared past,” he says simply. “To understand what happened during our captivity, and why we both withdrew afterward.”

“Memory Reconciliation Sessions,” I elaborate, seeing understanding dawn on several faces. They all know our history—that we were paired during the forced mating program. None of them ever knew why we so carefully avoided each other afterward.

“Healing,” Dr. Drayke says softly, his blue eyes warm with professional and personal satisfaction. “True healing requires facing trauma, not hiding from it.”

“Speaking of which,” Captain Beast interjects, his massive frame settling more comfortably in his chair, “I have a proposition.”

All eyes turn to him expectantly.

“The Devil’s Playground could use a head of security.” His attention focuses on Aries. “If you’re interested in a change of pace from combat missions.”

Captain Zar-Rynn nods approvingly. “The Galaxy Warrior will always be your home if you want, Aries, but Captain Beast’s right. After what you’ve been through, perhaps some time focusing on transport and trade—and… relationships—rather than rescue operations would be beneficial.”

“I’d love to accept,” Aries says, looking at me for confirmation. My answering smile is all he needs to see. We’ve gotten an engraved invitation to build our life together without constant danger, while still serving our extended family.

“I have my eye on an unused storage area on B deck. We could remodel it, make it comfortable for a couple. Roomier than Callie’s quarters.

But for now, you’ll have to make do in her room.

” Captain Beast’s eyebrow actually waggles, which makes me giggle.

“I imagine you won’t mind sharing a small bed for a while. ”

“We’ll… manage,” Aries says, accompanied by his own eyebrow waggle.

The celebration continues around us—more toasts, shared stories, and the comfortable chaos of two crews reuniting.

I catch Aries’ eye across the room as Petra launches into an animated tale about their latest trading mishap, and something passes between us.

A shared understanding that while we love these people, while we’re grateful to be home, what we need most right now is each other.

“Think anyone would notice if we disappeared?” he murmurs after moving closer under the pretense of helping clear empty glasses.

“They’re family,” I reply softly, watching Shadow demonstrate some elaborate fighting technique while one of the new rescues takes notes. “They’ll understand.”

His smile is warm and private, meant only for me. “Then let’s go home.”

As we slip quietly from the dining hall, Spark trailing behind us with sleepy pulses of contentment, I hear Petra’s voice rise in mock outrage: “And they’re gone! Called it! Captain Beast, you owe me ten credits.”

The sound of our family’s laughter follows us down the corridor toward our new quarters, toward the beginning of our real life together.