Page 21 of Tethered

“Correct, Vee.” Kit amends. “Would you like me to have some food sent to the cabin, Ms Rose?”

I scrunch up my nose. “Marlowe, please. And, no, thank you. I need to move around. Is there somewhere communal we can eat?”

But it’s Vee who answers. “The crew have a galley with a huge table that they all sit around and eat at. It’s so fun.”

I gape. “How do you know that?”

“I’ve been eating with them.”

Until a few hours ago, I hadn’t evenseenanyone else apart from Tanisira, yet Vee had apparently been having meals with the whole crew. It explains why he didn’t need an introduction to Khrys in the med bay. He looks really happy about this, a goofy little grin on his face. Sometimes I can hardly believe that this perfect boy came from me. His smile breaks my heart every single time.

“Think they’ll mind if I join?”

Vee can barely wait for me to shower and get changed. I peel myself out of the bandages and marvel at the accelerated healing I’ve already undergone. I’m still bruised to hell, though. My skin itches, feels too tight for my bones, but cold water helps a little. My aches and pains whine at me but walking them out is necessary. I doubt the salve Khrys used is widely available, but if it is, I think I’d happily sell those organs after all. Once I’m presentable, Vee leads me to the crew quarters, navigating his way around theMidaslike he’s been here far longer than two days.

I hear the crew before I see them. The door slides open as we approach, and the sounds of several people cause my stomach to clench. I’m nervous again, even though Vee knows the team, and also, I’m theadult.I’m chagrined to note that I hope Tanisira’s in there.

“Vee!” A chorus of his name goes up around the room, and he grins, his whole face alight.

I can’t believe my body made that ball of sunshine.

“Hi guys.” He laughs. “This is my mum, Marlowe.”

I scan the room, skipping over several faces until I find Tanisira’s. It’s silly—I barely know the woman—but seeing herthere, standing to the side with her arms crossed, instils in me a sense of calm. I’ve been running on adrenaline and anxiety for two days, and it’s a relief to release some of that in this moment. We lock eyes, and Tanisira inclines her head slightly.

Vee makes the introductions.

Devyaan is a Suryavan man with beautiful, long, dark hair similar to Tanisira’s, except he keeps his braided loosely down his back. A tray steams in his hands, giving off the most delicious aroma I’ve ever come across. Khrys sits at the spacious table, a mug cradled in her hands and fatigue heavy in her eyes. Beside her is Beau, whom Vee introduces using they/them pronouns, with heavy boots crossed on a chair and a book splayed in their lap.

All of them have some form of bruise, semi-healed cut or bandage on their person.

“Just in time for dinner,” Devyaan trills. His accent is thicker than the captain’s, his consonants practically honey. A hoop of the same material as Tanisira’s earrings adorns his left nostril, gleaming in the light.

“Is it okay if we join you?” I ask.

“Oh, absolutely.” Beau straightens up, feet clomping against the deck, and pushes short blonde hair out of their eyes. “Be our guest.”

Khrys rolls her eyes, but there’s amusement in them. She gives me a slow, professional once-over. “How are you feeling?”

Vee and I take seats, though he parks his bum in the chair next to Beau, leaving a space between us. I raise an eyebrow but don’t comment. Just how much time has he spent with this crew in the mere hours he’s known them? But he’s always been great at that, at making friends—something I used to be good at when I was younger, too. Then again, Beau’s skin is the same colour as Vee’s, and maybe they represented familiarity on a ship full of strangers.

I lean forward and pour some water from the jug in the centre of the table, sitting next to a stack of clean cups. One of the most useful pieces of advice I’ve ever heard is that having something in your hand can make a world of difference for nerves.

“So much better, thank you,” I reply. “It doesn’t feel like enough, but really, thank you.”

Her pale skin flushes.

“Hm, you were right, Tani,” Devyaan murmurs.

That sends a spike of unease through me. They’d been talking about us? Right about what? Also,Tani? But when I turn to Tanisira, she’s shaking her head, smiling faintly in a way that suggests he’s making a bigger deal of it than is warranted. Maybe she can sense the tension ratcheting in my body, or maybe she had planned to say it anyway, but I appreciate it immensely when she goes on to explain.

“The crew have made several trips with Dominik and his entourage.” Her lip twitches. “They’ve met some characters.”

“I’ve got questions.” Beau grins. “What on Telluria made you copulate with that man?”

I barely avoid spitting out my mouthful of water, but I do end up choking on it. Beau laughs, though it’s not unkind, even as Khrys gives them the side eye.

“Beau,” Tanisira chides.