Page 146 of Tethered

“You’re so cheesy.” I couldn’t play it cool even if I wanted to. I kiss the corner of her mouth, leave my lips pressed to her skin. It wants out, so I let it. “I love you, Captain Sekmith.”

“Ya’esh te.”

There is so much depth in the words, so much emotion woven around them that I don’t have to ask for a translation.

“Is this insane?” I murmur into her neck. “How can you love me? You don’t even know me. I know how I feel about you, but I’m a mess, so...”

She’s laughing even as she wraps me up in her arms and rests her chin on my head. “I know you,valeja. You’re not so good at hiding the soft parts as you think you are. You showed me who you were the moment you snuck onto my ship. And again, and again, and again.”

And of course, whilst I worry about the efficacy of being loved, Tanisira just throws herself into it like the adrenaline junkie she is. She’s really with me, willing to give us a go.

Getting Hina on the phone is not as easy as she made it out to be. Her secretary arranges a callback when she’s free but can’t promise that it’ll be before late afternoon. Tanisira takes me and Vee on a tour of the city to pass the time. We bring Tano with us, and I try not to worry too much about Vee getting attached to a dog we absolutely cannot bring home.

In Suryavana, it’s Firsttide, the start of their year and the beginning of spring.

Signs of it are everywhere, with a mural of the canyon’s founding nestled between blooming trees of lavender coloured buds, and the air fragrant with flowers. From there, we visit the Domeheart, which stretches up into the sky: an angular building made up of clear hexagonal panels and covered in living plants. We get off the maglev and pass through an expansive arch, into the Grand Concourse where we can better see the Kora Spire nestled in the Domeheart.

We stroll through Aether Plaza, stopping at multicoloured market stalls to buy treats and zareth nectar. As we walk down bright streets and taste the sweetness of pollen in the back of our throats, transparent walkways veined with filaments stretch out overhead. Everywhere we go, people share meals, drinks and company. There are performances in almost every district we pass through, each like a small city. It’s incredible.

I get Hina’s call while we’re having a picnic in one of the domed gardens. I start pacing in a tight circle as we get through the niceties—I like her, but I can’t wait to be done with all this. My bank account can’t wait to be done with all this.

“So, the items of interest I need to go over with you,” she starts. “Mr Gryphon has arranged a trust in Harvey’s name in which he’ll deposit an annual sum until Harvey turns twenty-five. He—”

I splutter. Tanisira shoots me a look, but I wave it off. “What?”

“He’ll—”

“No, I heard that. Why? In exchange for what?”

“Nothing. Mr Gryphon has stipulated that when Harvey turns twenty-five, if he so wishes, a quarter of the company will be transferred into his name. He’s not obligated to accept this; the money’s not a condition, and it will not affect his inheritance.”

At this point, I’m staring at Vee like a lunatic, although I’m not really seeing him. “Inheritance? He has an inheritance? Dominik has never mentioned that.”

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t given information about that as it’s independent of you. You are, however, the trustee of this fund until Harvey turns eighteen. You’ll need to sign some papers first.”

“Did he say why he’s doing this?” I ask, pitch way higher than it normally is, but I amshocked.

“Just that it’s what Harvey is entitled to.”

“Oh. And how much is he putting in this fund? Is it enough for Vee to study wherever he wants?”

How much will he have access to? I can try my hardest to raise a responsible teenager, but you give any eighteen-year-old a shit ton of money, and they’re gonna do some stupid shit.Iwould have done some stupid shit.

Hina tells me a number that has more zeroes than I’ve ever seen, and I nearly fall over. Oh, he’s gonna do some stupid shit. It’s enough for him to study wherever he wants, alright; it’s enough for him to buy the university outright.

“The last thing I need to discuss with you is the manor.”

My stomach drops. Please tell me this man didn’t also give his son a house. I know it’s the most ridiculous thing to complain about, but there are only bad memories associated with that manor. And Vee’sten.

“Go on.”

“Mr Gryphon has offered this: sign the house over to you and pay to have it shipped to a location of your choosing or sell it in your name.”

“What the actual fuck?” People stare, Tanisira amongst them. Turning away, I bury my chin deep into my chest and whisper into the slate. “Is he dying or something?”

“Not that I’m aware of,” Hina replies, sounding amused. “Which would you prefer?”

I would prefer for Dominik to do something in proportion for once. Still, I’m a single mother who’s worked her arse off for a decade and the prospect of coming into money isn’t something I’m going to turn my nose up at, ever. I’m just deeply shocked Dominik would do this in my name. I thought he’d hate me now. Want to get back at me.