Page 27 of The Last Hope

Court stands like a pillar. Wholly guarded.

The man-boy flashes an irritated smile. “Just listen,” he says, “the mission hasnothingto do with fighting. We’re trying to prevent a war from even happening.”

Court holds his hip, pain flaring. He clears his throat. “And let me guess, you’ll refuse to offer us the details regarding thismysticalmission. Just like everything that comes out of your mouth could be a lie.”

My pulse is slamming in my chest.

Franny.

Court is unwilling to trust a soul. Franny trusts too easily. And I’m stuck head-and-foot in the fucking middle.

Being shred apart.

The man-boy takes a pause and then edges closer to the table. “It’s a retrieval operation.”

We listen.

“We have to recoversomethingthat’s on Saltare-1,” he continues. “That’s all I can say right now. I’m many things, but a liar is not one of them. It’s why I’m evasive. I could have lied from the jump and saved myself the trouble.” He pushes himself to his feet and walks to a comms unit. Opening a cabinet, he grabs a bottle of amber liquid. “Scotch.” He smiles dryly and bites off the cork with his teeth. Taking a gulp.

While he collects four glasses, Franny spins to us, eyes reddened. Mine burn with hers. “You can leave,” she tells us, her voice cracking. “I’ll find you after—”

“Stop,” Court interrupts.

I shake my head at Franny so hard it may fly off my neck.

Pain balls up in her lungs. “I can’t… I can’t put you two in danger.” She almost chokes.

We’re all caught between each other’s needs.

Court suddenly extends his arm across the table. Toward Franny. He opens his hand.

She fights tears. “What are you doing, Court?”

“Will you take my hand?”

“Court—”

“Will you please take my hand?” he repeats in the softest voice he can muster.

Thank the gods.I see what’s happening. I put my arm around Court. I could kiss this handsome crook. I could cry.

She places her hand in his, and she breathes in what I already feel.

Calmness whirls tenderly inside Court. He’s made peace with this decision.

Gently, he tells Franny, “You chose us once upon an era. You chose our grand, delusional plan to flee your home when we asked. And now, you’re asking us.” He nods twice. “This time, we’re choosing you.”

Tears prick her eyes. And mine and his.

“Are you sure?” she asks us both, wiping her nose.

I reach out and put my hand atop theirs. “Yeh, little love.” Not worrying about concealing my lilt.

Truth being, I can’t stop looking at Court. My pride for him surges in my bones, my veins, my blood. I know how much strength this took him. How much strength exists. We’ve spent our life surviving, and returning to a Saltare planet, just for a bit of knowledge, is everything Court had run from.

Court nods to Franny again. “I can do this. You’ve both taken care of me, and it’s time I take care of you.”

“I’ll never forget this,” she whispers—but our heads turn. Hushing quickly as the man-boy returns to our table.