Page 61 of The Last Hope

A world where he has to go head-to-head with his brother, again, will chip more of Court away. I can’t have that happen.

“We’re not going to war,” I say certainly. “We’ll be finding this magical baby and all will be right.”

He drops his gaze. “We could fail, and as certain as I am that we can run from war and theLucretzia,I don’t think she’ll desert the fleet. Not after the admirals died to save us.”

We both know Franny well. Guilt will be eating at her spirit if she doesn’t repay them somehow.

“I won’t be able to stop her,” Court whispers, “but I also can’t fight for them.” He grinds his teeth, pained at that scenario.

Queasiness roils my insides. “Don’t go predicting the future, Court,” I tell him. “It’ll be making you even more miserable.”

He lets out a sound that’s almost a laugh. “Retrieve a baby. Hide Earth,” he muses. “Sounds more impossible than entering StarDust and flying to space.”

I chew on the flavorless toothpick. “You’re the one always chasing impossible things. I’m just along for the ride.”

Court almost,almostsmiles. He taps his fingers to theMythsbook. Weight bearing on his chest.

I scratch at my neck. “You gonna tell me why you pulled away from me or should I keep guessing?”

His head lowers, hair brushing his lashes.

All right, I’ll be guessing. Not minding talking when he’squiet. I think on how I’m rough. Bedding in Grenpale wasn’t about tender hands, and he’s been hurt in the past.

“I’ll be trying my toughest to be gentle with you,” I tell him.

Something bright flutters in his chest. He lifts his head. “I know you will.”

“It’s not that?” I realize. “The link, then?”

He stiffens.

It has to do with the link.

Court holds my gaze. “On Saltare-3,” he starts explaining, “I was never too concerned that people would learn about our link. No one would draw that conclusion. It’d be so far-fetched and illogical. But the Saltare sister planets and Earth—we have no idea the extent of their knowledge yet.”

I rub my temple. “Wouldn’t they think it’s just as strange? I’ve heard no one on theLucretziaorRomulustalk about any sort of bond like we have.”

Court thumbs the myth pages. “When Stork gave me this book, he said abilities aren’t unheard of, so we can’t be certain of anything.”

My hand rests on my hot neck. “Can’t we just ask Stork if linking exists?”

“No,” he says. “It’ll give us away, and if someone knows the three of us share emotions and senses, that information can be so easily used against us. Againstyou.”

Understanding rushes at me, swaying me backward. “Which is why you’ve been drawing away.”

He nods. “I know no one is around right now, but to be on the safe side, we should be more careful.”

I’m not opposing that precaution. Anyone using our link against us would be a sort of torment I don’t want to meet. I’m not always good at hiding the frustrations that come with linking, and I never thought someone might catch on till now.

Truth being, I’m not happy about any of this.

I glance at the book in his hand. “What if they have historybooks on this starcraft? Maybe there’s something about linking in them.”

Court solidifies at a sudden thought. “That device in the office… I think it was a computer. On the way to our barracks, I saw a girl searching some sort of database. It could be a catalogue with information.”

I smile. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go look—”

A banging crash resounds from the bathroom. Our heads swerve.Franny.Her senses are too faint to feel while I’m close to Court.