Page 53

A year has passed since Jovie and I met.

We have elected a council of representatives who have chosen us as the representatives of Genesis.

The battles with the Nebs still continue.

But now that we’re released from Storm arrest, we have had much better results in the fields.

And no one has heard from New Order since our prison break mission went so smashingly.

Auntie Lu, as Eluni has titled herself, has taken charge of watching Brazin, our three-month-old son, so we can help with a mysterious project my mother has been working on deep under the castle.

Talros has officially joined Genesis, bonded with Eluni, acquired a gift like Jovie’s from Allele, and he and Eluni are expecting their first child in the next two months.

Today, all capable Amphirans have been called to the caverns deep in the heart of Amphir. Jovie seems to know what’s going on because she’s back in her armored suit with a tool belt and Tal, who’s similarly dressed.

My mother hasn’t allowed many below with her, not even me. Only Vybron made the cut.

He stands beside me now as we wait outside the heavy doors to the mountain’s deep chambers. Silver speckles his freshly cut hair, and he holds himself with pride today.

“You ready?” Vybron asks me as he double-checks the static barrier suit he’s wearing.

“Depends. If you knocked up my mother, I am prepared to kill you.”

Vybron laughs and then quiets. “I respect your mother. We didn’t bring you all down here for a bonding ceremony.”

“Good.”

“But she is beautiful.” He clears his throat as the doors unlock. “Naked.”

“What?” My heart stutters.

Vybron slips inside before I can catch him.

“You son of a—”

“Aura.” Jovie catches me by the hand. “With your father gone, your mother’s Storm is open to bonding. Let her be happy.”

“She deserves—”

“Better than your old mentor?” Jovie slides an arm around my waist. “A soldier who protected many? And a soul gentle enough that he can handle very fragile life?”

What is she talking about? What have they been up to?

Jovie leads me down the winding pathway cut into the stone while Tal, Blaize, Fieri, and the others follow. “You know how I told you I’ve been working on Allele?”

“Yeah.”

She lifts an arm as we enter the massive cavern.

I gaze in shock at the cells all around the walls, gel casings with white orbs inside.

“Turns out, Orillium grow in the heart of Amphir. Your mother, Vybron, Tal, and I have been building a communications bridge between Allele and those living down here.”

My mother climbs up onto a rock in the middle of the floor and addresses the crowd of Amphirans that enter. “Allele is not the last Orillium any longer. She is the first of many. But we need your help transferring each Orillium into their merge bracket and seating them into their vessels.”

Allele, in all her light gray, swooping primordial glory, hovers in and sets a familiar vessel similar in size and shape to her on the floor.

“You’ve been having us build these ships, not for motors but for more Orillium?” I ask, feeling massively left out. “And you kept this from us for a whole year?”

My mother smiles at me. “Vybron is good at keeping secrets.”

I shudder at the thought. “Anything else we should know?”

Jovie tugs on my hand, pulls me down to her, kisses me, and says, “I’m pregnant.”

“Again?”

She giggles as she slips from my grasp and hikes up the ship after Tal, no doubt preparing to climb into the small spaces while she still can.

“Be careful!” I call after her.

“Always, amamora.” Jovie throws me a kiss and disappears inside the vessel.

Vybron shoves a large piston stabilizer into my arms. “Go help the install crew, Torchbearer .”

In a daze, I cart the heavy item under the ship to where Blaize and Fieri have the belly opened up. I transfer the part to them, then back up to watch my mother. She draws an Orillium out of its cell with her hands and guides it to the top of the ship, where Vybron takes over.

A feeling I can’t quite place makes me reach out. Allele?

Yes, Aura?

Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and my people. For my mate. I’m glad we can do this for you. You’re not alone anymore.

I can almost hear the smile in her voice. Neither are you.

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