Page 134 of Tethered

A guest bedroom, if I were to guess, by the inoffensive bedding and no-nonsense furniture. Cream walls, powder blue rug, mirror hanging on the back of the door. I’m still wearing my dress and leggings, inspiring fashion gurus everywhere. And when I run a hand over my head, too afraid to actually look at my reflection, I can feel the halo of snarled curls exploding from my scalp.

I wince. Untangling that won’t be fun.

How the hell did I get into the bed? I don’t remember moving from the car, or even waking up for that matter.

I go to peer out the window and stare in wonderment at a sweeping panorama. Suryavana’s domed skyline stretches away from me, the core of its city nestled into the vast canyon beyond. In the distance, Red Horizon’s landing lights shimmer, drawing attention to its very on-the-nose name and not caring at all. If this is one of the terraces Tanisira mentioned, we’rereallybloody high up. But the view is incredible; the great rift of Valles Marineris stretching endlessly into the horizon.

I can’t figure out how to open the window, so I gracelessly stick my face to the glass and peer down at the curving domes of all the rooftops. They unfurl outwards like a network of luminous shells, reflecting the pale sun. Transit lines snake between the domes, maglev trains leaving faint streaks of light as they glide between districts. To the east, I catch the slow descent of a cargo freighter against the rust-coloured sky; a gradient of deep crimson fading into a violet-black abyss.

It’s stunning.

The door opens behind me, and Tanisira appears against the jamb, looking much more comfortable in cream trousers and a lilac sweater. I blink. It’s almost more disorienting to see her in lilac than it was in the dress. She notices my expression and scowls.

“It’s myNayya’s. My sister’s sense of style is... not for me.”

“And this is?” I grin.

Tanisira merely cocks a brow at me. “For that, you don’t get to choose your Kiran outfit. I hope you like bras that she swears are shirts, and shorts that show off approximately half your ass.”

It feels good to laugh, even if it does hurt a little. She sits on the edge of the bed, then pats the space next to her. It’s embarrassing how quickly I curl up next to her. I’m tempted to put my head in her lap, too, but considering the trouble I’ve caused her, I refrain.

“How are you feeling?” she asks.

“Exhausted. Achy.”

“I bet your feet are throbbing. Mine feel like minced meat.” She shakes her head. “I don’t know how people wear those shoes all day.”

“Do you really want to talk about feet?” I peer up at her. It’s not like Tanisira to indulge in inane chatter.

She hesitates, and my stomach drops. Cursed stars, did something happen while I was asleep?

“No,” she admits. “But I don’t want to push you to talk about last night if you’re not ready. You were so tired you didn’t stir once, not even when I carried you to bed.”

My shoulders lower. “Oh. Thank you, but we really should talk.”

“Right.”

“Where’s Vee? Is he okay?”

Tanisira snorts. “Teaching myNayyahow to play video games and terrorising her dog. He’s fine.”

That brings a smile to my face. “He’s always wanted a pet, but it wouldn’t be fair to have one cooped up in our home when no one’s ever there. I bet he’s having the time of his life.”

“Luckily, Tano likes an abundance of kisses.”

“Tano? Doesn’t that mean five?”

“Yes, and when you meet him, you’ll quickly realise he only has five brain cells.”

Throwing caution to the wind, I rest my head on her shoulder. I shouldn’t have worried because Tanisira puts her arm around my waist, tucking me into her side and melting my heart all at the same time. She smells like lavender. Combined with the lilac sweater, it makes me wonder if that’s a stock scent she carries from her childhood. Maybe herNayyaloves the colour and always had them around the house.

I feel like I was angry at her for something, but I can’t remember why. Right now, I just want to be close to her.

“What happened when I left the manor?”

“Left? Don’t you mean arrested?”

“You know what I mean,” I say, huffing a laugh.