I don’t know how much time passes while I sleep, only that when I wake, Aura’s fully dressed, and the Lunar shield is visible outside his window.

“We’ve missed a lot. They’re setting up for the picnic at the beach now,” he says. “Bonding ceremony is tomorrow.”

“Seems like it shouldn’t be that long with all this portalling around.” I lug myself out of bed and back into my uniform, which has been cleaned since I last wore it.

“There are routes that Allele and I take that are more under the Amphiran radar, so to speak. And Eluni was a Royal guard. They must perform a lot of duties because someone might lace clothes with poisons same as food. It’s why I typically handle my own chores.”

“Lack of trust?” I ask.

The door to the room slides open. Eluni stands before us. “He doesn’t want to risk us getting hurt. But tough shit, sir. You were busy.”

“The big oaf is just a softie on the inside,” Blaize remarks in passing.

Aura lifts his hands like he’s surrendering.

I laugh. “Soft is not what I would call him.”

Eluni blushes and looks away, and Blaize screeches to a halt and peers back into the room, scanning between Aura and me.

Aura points at Blaize. “Ooh, she got you!”

Blaize shakes his head and grins. “I like your female, Aura. She’s funny, fits in here.”

“Pretty sure he’s the one that fits ,” I counter. “It’s tight, though.”

“Stars!” Eluni sets down two pairs of polished boots and practically throws herself out of the room. “Too much information!”

The door closes between us.

Aura picks up his boots and lifts a hand. “High five, sexy.”

When I slap his palm, he snags my hand, pulls me close, and kisses me with force. “Every time I think I can’t love or want you more, you find a way to change my mind.”

Fieri is docking Allele when we step out of the room, fully dressed. Blaize stands guard by the ramp as Allele lowers it.

“Where’s Talros?” I ask.

“Resting. His arm is broken,” Eluni replies.

“Eleven is with him,” Blaize offers. “Serum should help.”

“You seem to have a lot of it,” I remark.

“True.” Aura rubs my back. “Elix and I are blood-brothers. He gives me a secret supply. I help him take out bad guys. Keep that to yourself.”

I nod but feel like Talros got the shit end of this deal. Abducted by Denarso. Broken arm. And all but one of his RAMs are gone, working elsewhere.

Blaize sees me looking at the door to Tal’s quarters. “He’s fine. Eluni has been caring for him.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.” Blaize waggles his brows. “Think they’re hitting it off. I mean, come on. Bomb girl meets droid boy? What could go wrong?”

“Or very right.” Aura looks contemplative. “Anyway, we should get going.”

“Wait,” Jorusk hands us each a band. “I made some simple communicators apart from the Abr network so you two can talk if you get separated. If you need help, press the button. If you can’t speak, it will still ping us, and we’ll come after you.”

“Why stay through all of this?” Aura takes a band from Jorusk. “All I did was promise to get you to your ship.”

Jorusk rests a hand on his shoulder. “You defended me, listened to my argument. That means a lot. And I saw what was happening to your people. I know this struggle well. It is a battle worth fighting. Be safe, my friend.”

Jorusk hands me mine, and I place the band around my wrist, just distal to my gauntlet. “Thanks Jorusk.”

“My pleasure, Princess.”

I frown at him. “Jorusk.”

“I know. Don’t call me that. ” He wrinkles his nose. “But you cannot deny how others view you. So while I understand you to be like Aura, you must both accept the influence you have. Do not misuse it. You can destroy progress, or you can lead it. That is up to you and your actions.”

Eluni crosses her arms and looks over Jorusk. “You sure you’re not a Royal guard?”

Aura takes my hand and leads me back into the complex while Jorusk and Eluni talk.

Abr guards greet us just inside.

“Were you able to sort out your family emergency back home?” one asks.

“Yes, thank you.” Aura doesn’t give them any additional information.

“The picnic is underway at the beach,” the second guard adds.

We’re docked this time on the bottom floor and walk out of the doors into the main complex. The guards motion us to a path that winds out along the river and toward the distant area of the envirodome where Aura first caught me.

The walk is pleasant, filled with a warm, earthy breeze and the sounds of other happy couples chatting along as they walk to the picnic, too. But I can’t seem to get comfortable with being back at the race.

“What’s on your mind?” Aura asks.

“I always dreamed of this—a life that was calm and safe—predictable—because I was so tired, hungry, and vulnerable.”

“But?”

“I don’t feel like I belong here anymore.

I like it, but I see the people working.

The caterers take the hidden path in the trees.

The guards watch from the other side of the river.

I feel like that’s where I’m supposed to be.

Helping, not basking in the sun and snacks and safety.

Because I can take care of myself, I want to.

And I don’t want to end up an entitled little shit like Cora. ”

Aura snorts a laugh. “Pretty sure no one has picked her. And I think that feeling you have is similar to what I feel when I think of my people. I want to help them be safe and happy. I do not want them to cater to me like some god when I am no different from them. My father wants to be special like the other Royals.”

“But it sounds like you are special,” I admit. “The way the others talk about you. Your Storm is different. Even you’ve said as much.”

“I do not want to be viewed that way. I want them to see me fighting for them, yes. But I want them to be inspired by my actions so they fight for themselves and what they desire in life. When we work together and support one another, we can build amazing things. But to ask one person or a few to fight for everyone against an empire is a bad plan. It leads to martyrs and lots of unnecessary death.”

Aura gazes off at the water where the Gragoraphor and a few others splash each other. “And yet I feel instead that I have torn them apart. I cannot and will not lead my people to their deaths.”

“How about leading me to a buffet?” I squeeze his hand.

Aura kisses my cheek. “I can do that.”