Page 80 of The Last Hope

Gem smiles. “We were always undervalued on Saltare-3, and I want to prove that we can do extraordinary things together.” She bumps hips with her sister. “I can’t name anything more astonishing than proving a myth to be true.”

Padgett plucks the pipe out of her lips. “The myth is peculiar, and I’d like to uncover this peculiarity.” She adds, “And I’m not leaving Gem’s side.”

Floating, Zimmer rests his hands behind his head and gazes up at the sky port. “I’ve already seen the stars. Thought I might as well add another planet to the list before I die.”

Kinden lifts his gaze off the book and rests them on me. “So I’ll have more years with you, little brother.”

I finally ease, and despite the absurdity in this plan, I’m beginning to feel hopeful.

Mykal and Franny smile wider and fuller.

We’re hopeful.

I hang on tight, and as everyone readies for sleep, Stork motions to the seven of us. “Here’s how this has to work. I was given strict orders that two of you stay in my barracks. One of the humans and one of the Saltarians.”

“What?” Franny balks.

My jaw muscle tics. “I thought you said the fleet trusts theSaga 4.”

Stork tosses his scotch bottle and catches it skillfully. “That was before they were given critical op details. This isday twoand to avoid a coup, they want you split up at night. I have no problem choosing, if it’s easier.” He looks over to Franny.

“I’ll do it,” Mykal offers, no hesitation.

Stork pats his chest, as though remembering he has no sword. Mykal never returned the weapon. “Except you.” He sips his scotch and points the bottle at me and Franny. “Choose.”

EIGHTEEN

Mykal

“I’m supposed to be interrogating him anyway,” Franny whispers to me outside of Stork’s barracks. We huddle too near to be overheard.

“You needn’t worry about that tonight,” I say lowly. After she volunteered, her blazing spirit on some sort of path that neither Court nor I will be smothering, I wanted to talk before leaving her to it.

I recognize, also, that Stork would’ve chosen me had I not stolen his gods-damned sword. He was sour that I’d taken something else from him, but I promised that I’d be holding on to the weapon while he’s drinking himself to oblivion.

Franny peeks over her shoulder, then whispers softly to me, “If Stork is loose-lipped in bed, maybe he’ll tell me about Earth.”

I chew a toothpick in half and spit the pieces out. “In bed?” I deepen my voice to keep from shouting.

Her heart-shaped face is perpetually hot these days, and not from her mighty scowl. She lifts her chin, appearing taller. “Notbedding.I’d never bed a soul just for a bit of information.” Hurt pricks her body, thinking that I’d think that of her.

Regret stings me like a winter’s curse. I scratch my neck. Not sure how to go about any of this with Franny. She’s been a mess of feelings around Stork—feelings that I shouldn’t try to make sense of or dredge up. They’re hers to feel, and most don’t concern me.

Her brows scrunch. “Mykal?”

“I’ll be telling you straight,” I whisper. “Whoever is in your bed tonight better be treating you like a damned princess.”

A faint smile toys at her lips and then vanishes in a thought. “This is the longest I’ve gone without another body on mine.”

Her longing for more affection has caused frustrations. She’s missing a need. Court has tried to talk to me about it once, and I wouldn’t hear it. Stubborn, I thoughtbeddingcomes last.

She’ll be finding love first.Like Court and I.

Sensing her for so long, I’ve been feeling how wrong I was and how right Court is. We’re all different, and I worry she’s been pushing aside this urge because of us. Never thought I’d be the reason Franny would be so unsatisfied.

“Franny,” I whisper, “if you need another body—”

“I don’t,” she says adamantly. “Idon’t. I’m not putting you and Court through that.” Because we’d sense the other person…