Page 35 of Tethered

“Just that we would both like Mars.”

Frowning, I try to figure that out. It’s possible Dominik tried to make Vee think I’d meet them in Suryavana—maybe to make the journey less daunting. My stomach clenches.

“I don’t know why your dad would say that, but you know we’re not getting back together, right? Not ever.”

I tried to say it gently, but I needn’t have bothered. His shoulders lower, and he looks visibly relaxed. He literally says, “Phew.”

I burst into laughter. “What do you mean? Most kids want their parents together.”

“No offence, mum, but it would be a disaster.”

“You’re telling me.” Then I cock my head. “Wait, didn’t you say he has a girlfriend?”

Vee rolls his eyes, and he looks so much like Dominik that it renders me speechless for a moment. “He does, but...” He bites his lip. “I don’t think he even reallylikesher.”

The surprises just keep coming. And what did Dominik mean when he said that Vee and I would both like Mars?

“Are you mad?”

“No, baby, just confused. It’s not a shock that your father confuses me, though, I think.”

He laughs, which never fails to warm my soul. “He always says he doesn’t understand you, too.”

Hmm, he never did, but things were different in the beginning.

I place a sloppy kiss on Vee’s cheek and grin playfully at him. “Did your dad say anything about what we’ll do when we land?”

Vee, evidently growing bored of this conversation as he is wont to do, shrugs again and rolls his head towards the door outside our duvet fort. I strain to hear over the rustling andthe background humming of the ship, but nothing stands out to me.

“Hey, don’t feel like you have to stay just because I’m here. I might go back to sleep, actually.” I yawn, and he hesitates.

“Really? Because Captain Sekmith said you had a really stressful night.”

My mouth twitches. “I did, but I feel much better after some rest.”

“Sweet. Thanks, Mum.”

He gets up quickly, but I pull him into a soppy hug before he can fully emerge from our cocoon. “I love you, you know that, right?”

“Yes.” He giggles and squirms.

“At least I didn’t say ‘to the moon and back’.”

“You were thinking it.”

“Also,” I raise my voice as he starts to leave, “don’t think I don’t know you have homework.”

Vee looks aghast. “You’re joking.”

“I am not.”

“We’re in space. We’re flying to Mars, and you want me to domaths?”

“Yes. Do you want to be like your cousin, James?”

I’ve got him there. He huffs, folds his arms, unfolds them, then turns towards the door.

“Fine. I’ll log on later,” he calls over his shoulder as he practically bolts from the cabin. If he’s able to, at least I’ll know he’s still enrolled in school.