Page 20 of Captured By The Alien (Starbound #2)

Vahn pointed at each of the moons in turn.

“Lorvas, Unaril, Tiron and Xantis. Named for the first four children of Vannla and Ayanlesh.”

“They’re so big. Do they wax and wane like the Earth’s moon?”

“No. They always appear full as they do now. For half the annual cycle they can be seen from this side of Vraxos, and for the other half they appear only to those in the southern hemisphere.”

“Do they orbit each other?”

“Yes, though we’re still unsure how they manage to avoid collision. Our astronomers have spent a great deal of time trying to work out the mathematical formula for their orbital paths but it has proved impossible.”

“Nature’s incredible, isn’t it?”

“The more religious believe it’s proof of the existence of gods.”

Kara shrugged.

“Or maybe it’s magic.”

“Vraxians are not familiar with the concept of magic.”

“Why am I not surprised? ”

She looked out over the gleaming towers to the horizon where the moonlight flashed off distant waves.

“That’s the sea you told me about,” she said. “The one Taa’riz was built next to. It’s beautiful.”

“This is my favorite view in the whole palace. I used to come here as a hatchling when I wanted to hide from my tutors. I don’t think anyone else knows of this place. Except Ela, maybe.”

Kara tried not to react.

“You’re close to her, aren’t you?”

“We grew up together. Like me, she had no siblings. And like me, she had a pre-ordained role in life. Her father was my father’s army commander before her. She’s like a sister to me.”

Not sure she sees it that way.

“She’s very protective of you,” Kara said casually.

“Why? Has she said something to hurt you?” Vahn was alarmed. “She is sometimes a little brusque but that’s just her way.”

“Actually, she’d always been very honest with me. And she’s made it clear she thinks I’m wrong for you.”

“Ah.” Vahn relaxed. “She may be changing her mind about that.”

“What makes you say that?”

“She came to see me after your call with your mother. She said I should talk to you. So here I am.”

Kara colored.

“Did she, um, tell you what I said?” Because I’ll die of embarrassment if she did.

“No, just that perhaps you might not be so angry anymore.”

“Oh. Right.”

She turned back towards the view and leant on the balcony. The night air felt cool but she knew that was because of the invisible shield cocooning the palace. It was well over a hundred degrees Fahrenheit out there, maybe as much as a hundred and twenty. But within the energy field the temperature was always mild.

Vraxian technology in action.

In the light of the moons, the towers glinted silver and white. The skyline reminded her of New York or Shanghai and she waited to feel a pang of homesickness. But it didn’t come.

“So what did you want to talk about?” she asked, keeping her eyes on the view.

Vahn turned so that he too was facing the horizon. It was easier to speak his heart this way.

“The last time we talked, you told me I didn’t have faith in us. But you’re wrong. My faith in us, in you , is as solid as the moons above us.

He paused and Kara waited.

“You are right when you say I should have told you who I was on Minerva-6. I wish I had. But all my life I have been judged and measured by the station I was born into. Once people know, it changes how they treat me. I couldn’t…” his voice cracked a little and Kara’s grip tightened on the balustrade. “I couldn’t bear that from you. Not you.”

Tears pricked at Kara’s eyes but she kept her gaze on the city, knowing there was more. Vahn collected himself.

“You loved me for the person I was on Minerva-6. And I pray to the gods that you can love me still, here on Vraxos. But if you can’t then I release you. I release you from any obligation you think you have.”

Kara’s vision misted up. Don’t cry. For fuck’s sake don’t cry. Daa’sten will kill you if you mess up his make-up.

Vahn misinterpreted her silence.

“You need not worry about Earth. I will honor the peace deal I have offered to your mother regardless. You can leave Vraxos whenever you like. I can arrange for a transport to…”

“Shut up.”

He jerked, surprised by her ferocity.

“Kara, I…”

“Just shut up.” She turned to him, eyes blazing. “Stop alien-splaining emotions to me. I understand why you didn’t tell me who you were, okay? I get it now.”

“But you still look angry,” he ventured uncertainly.

“Oh, I am. I’m fucking livid. With both of us. You, because you didn’t trust me enough to tell me who you were. But me as well, because I’m a total hypocrite.”

She kicked on her anti-grav boots and rose off the ground. Vahn watched, bemused, as her face came level with his.

“How…?”

“I said, shut up. I’m trying to apologize and I’m not used to it.” She took a breath. “I’ve spent my whole life hiding who I am, who my mother is, and when you did the same to me I should have empathized instead of freaking out. And I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Kara, it’s...”

“I haven’t finished, snake-boy. Because what you said just now really pissed me off. After everything we’ve been through, do you honestly expect me to just walk away?”

“I…”

“How dare you think I’d abandon you? Do you really think I’d quit so easily? I mean, I was pissed that you locked me up but do you honestly believe I’d…”

He gave up. Cupping the back of her head he silenced her with his mouth, crushing his lips to hers until her mind was spinning and her thoughts were scattered.

When he finally let her go she glared at him accusingly.

“You didn’t let me finish.”

“Apologies. Go ahead.”

“You’re my kalehshun. I’m never leaving you. Do you understand?”

He nodded gravely.

“I understand, my furious little human.”

“Well, okay then. So we’re good?”

“We are good.” He glanced down at her feet and raised a brow. “May I ask how you’re doing that?”

She wrapped her arms about his neck.

“Magic.”