Page 57

Chapter

Fifty-Seven

Morgan

I lay on the enormous bed, watching the gossamer fabric drift lazily around the four ornate posts and breathing in the slightly salty air.

It should have been paradise. Instead, I felt hollow, like someone had scooped out everything inside me and left an ache in its place.

I hadn't seen Tivek since I'd told him to take the promotion on Earth. Since I'd watched something shutter behind his eyes before he’d returned to his suite and left me to stifle an unwanted sob in the darkness.

"You did the right thing," I whispered to myself, the words falling flat in hush of the room. It had been the logical decision and the smart one, not to mention the one I’d been trained since childhood to make.

Logic didn't stop the ache, though.

I wanted to talk to him again. Just once more before we returned to the Academy and had to pretend like nothing had happened between us on the drifting ship or in the shower in his fantasy suite.

But after returning from the Promenade with Serge, I’d looked over to his balcony.

The doors had been closed and there was no movement inside.

I was considering going to his outer door and knocking when my own door beeped, a gentle electronic ping that somehow still managed to make me jump.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, smoothing down the pale blue sundress I’d found hanging in the wardrobe. I never thought I’d miss the utilitarian academy uniforms, but after wearing them for so long it felt strange to wear color or show so much skin.

"Coming," I called, pressing my palm against the access panel.

The door slid open, and for a split second, my heart leapt. I hadn’t been expecting Tivek, but I also hadn’t imagined seeing the creature standing outside my door.

“Reina?" I gasped.

The Vexling's familiar face broke into a smile, blue swirl of hair bobbling as she tilted her head from side to side. "Surprise!"

The sight of her, and the reminder of the academy and a time before my heart had gotten tangled up in this mess, broke something in me. I threw my arms around her, dangerously close to tears.

“Oh, my, hon,” Reina said, patting my back awkwardly. "Are you okay?"

I pulled back, blinking rapidly. "Yes. Sorry. I’m surprised to see you, that’s all.” I gestured for her to come inside.

“My visit was spontaneous. I didn’t know I was coming until the last-minute.”

“Is it an emergency?” I asked, my excitement morphing to concern. “Is everything okay?”

“Perfectly fine.” The door hissed shut behind us, and Reina smiled as she took in the luxurious suite. "They put you up in one of my favorite suites.”

"Apparently almost dying in space earns you an upgrade," I said, trying for humor and missing by a mile.

Reina's smile vanished. "Is that what happened, hon? Did you almost die?”

I shook my head, regretting making the Vexling worry. “Not really. We had enough rations to last several more days, but we had no idea where we were, so in our minds, we were light years from rescue.”

Reina wrung her hands as she listened. “At least you weren’t alone.”

I swallowed, not meeting her eyes as I led her to the balcony to enjoy the view and hoping the reminder of Tivek didn’t show on my warming cheeks. “No, I was lucky that Tivek was with me.” I changed the subject. “So, I know how I came to be here, but you haven’t told me why you’re here.”

Reina followed me to the balcony and sighed as she took in the view of the crystal blue sea and the lush peaks of a distant island. “I’d forgotten how much I missed my life here until I spoke to Serge. Plus, my job with Noora is essentially complete. She’s happily married and doesn’t need me now.”

I leaned my forearms against the teak railing. “I’m not sure if she would agree with that.”

Reina’s light gray cheeks flushed as she flapped her long fingers at me. “You’re sweet, hon, but Noora doesn’t need me like Serge does.”

My happiness at seeing her deflated a bit. “So, you're not coming back with us?"

Reina turned to face me and tilted her head. “I take it you don’t know then?”

My skin prickled with unease. “Know what?"

“Tivek’s going straight to Earth, apparently. Some new posting." Reina's eyes never left my face. "He won't be returning to the Academy first.”

“Oh.” I tried to smile but my chin quivered, threatening tears instead.

I’d thought I’d have more time with him before he left. I’d been sure he’d go back to the academy and wrap up his work with Zoran first. Not that I had anyone to blame but myself.

"Morgan, what's going on, hon?" Reina asked gently, putting a hand on my arm. "Did something happen between you two?"

"No," I said automatically, then caught myself. What was the point of lying now? "Yes. Maybe. I don't know."

Reina waited, the silence stretching between us with nothing but the lapping of the water and the far away caw of a gull to interrupt it.

"I've always liked him," I finally admitted, the words tumbling out. "Even when I barely knew him. But during the away mission, we were thrown together. He saved my life more than once. Then when we were marooned…” I trailed off, remembering things I wasn’t willing to share with Reina.

“Part of me thought maybe we could have.

.." I gestured vaguely, unable to put a name to the possibility I'd glimpsed.

"But then I overheard him being offered a promotion on Earth. I could never stand in his way.”

"And you told him to take it," Reina guessed.

I nodded, a traitorous tear escaping despite my best efforts. "What was I supposed to say? It was just a shipboard fling." The lie was bitter on my lips. “It wouldn’t have lasted. I did us both a favor."

"Are you sure about that?" Reina asked, her voice gentle.

I swiped at my eyes. "Doesn't matter now, does it? He's going to Earth. I'm going back to the Academy. End of story."

"Morgan—"

The door chimed again, cutting her off. I rose automatically, grateful for the interruption.

The door slid open, and Serge barreled in, his shoes slapping the wood floor loudly. When he spotted Reina, he lurched to a stop. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere!" His gaze darted to me then back to Reina. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No," I said, just as Reina blurted, "Yes."

Serge's eyebrows shot up and he frowned. I got the idea that the Gatazoid did not like being in the dark about anything.

"I have to go change," Reina announced suddenly and hurried to the door. "Morgan needs to ask you something, Serge."

"I do?" I asked, bewildered.

“She does?" Serge echoed, equally confused.

But Reina was already moving toward the door with a determination that seemed strangely urgent. "I'll see you both later!"

The door glided shut behind her, leaving me staring at Serge, who looked just as confused as I felt.

"What was that about?" he asked.

I shook my head slowly. "I have absolutely no idea."

“You have nothing to ask me?” Serge’s purple brows rose.

I shook my head, still shell-shocked by Reina’s appearance and abrupt departure.

Serge, however, hadn’t been stunned into silence. He waggled a finger in the air. “Reina is up to something. Mark my words.” He tugged at the hem of his garish jacket and headed for my door again. “And she’s lost her mind if she thinks she can fool me.”