She lifts the basket over the water.
“Okay, fine!” I grab it back. My cheeks start to burn as I begin to recount it, but Uaxin’s wide-eyed stare makes it hard to talk. And when my Alphas show up, too? No way am I discussing any of what went on last night in our room.
Jeren sits behind me and pulls me so I lean against his chest. “I remember what went on last night in our room and can give an excellent recitation. It was you naked with my co—”
I slap my hand over Jeren’s mouth. “Oh my god.”
Ceredes grins and Kyte leans against the nearest statue, his eyes sad but also slightly amused. I reach for him, and he sits at my feet and scoots so my legs are in his lap. Ceredes takes the spot in the shade right in front of us. Uaxin gives him some side-eye, but doesn’t move.
“Good, you’re all here.” Tilda leans closer.
“I’m not telling any more details, so you—”
“I’m not talking about your mating escapades, but yes I still expect the full story later.” She points at me. “Don’t think I’ll forget. I won’t. Anyway, I’m talking about that bit of information you were looking for, Ceredes.”
My stomach twists into a knot. “My parents.” I lean closer to her. “What did you find out? Is my mom okay?” I may have spent every waking second of my childhood planning my escape from her, but that doesn’t mean I want her dead. Hurt a little? Maybe. Hurt a lot? No.
“Your mother I don’t know about, but your father was a regular human male. He’s … dead.” Tilda reaches for my wrist and squeezes it. “Onin tested your blood when you arrived and reported your lineage to the council. Your father was a human, and you knew your mother, so …” She shrugs. “Human. And I’m sorry about your father.”
“Oh.” I drop my gaze. What do I feel about that? I don’t know. I mean, I used to fantasize about my dad coming back for me and saving me from my mother. He never did. I thought he didn’t love me enough to take me with him.
Jeren tightens his arms around me. “To know you is to love you.”
That pulls a smirk from me.
“When did he die?” I ask, meeting Tilda’s eyes again.
“I don’t know exactly, but it’s been years.”
“Then what’s the deal with all the secrecy about my parents? I’m a human. If my mom has some alien ancestry, I’d be pretty shocked to hear about it. After all, she was very much into our world—drinking, working, and the occasional beat-up-your-mouthy-daughter entertainment.”
“I’ve still got feelers out. I’ll let you know when I hear more.” She leans back, and the faint barrier around us dissipates. I hadn’t even realized it was there, but Kyte is on his game.
“Just a human.” I waggle my fingers in front of me.
“Not anymore.” Ceredes takes my hand in his. “You’re the most powerful Omega in the fleet, maybe in all the galaxies.”
My stomach rumbles again. “And the hungriest.” I glance up at the statue of Krenallus, the Bellatian from the prior circle. He’s still familiar to me. But no, not my long lost father like Jeren once joked.
“Here.” Tilda pulls a smattering of fruits from the basket, though they’re a bit squished from the copious amounts of meat.
I take them and we eat a leisurely lunch in the sun. Other students give us a wide berth, but I don’t mind. As long as I have my Alphas and my girls, I’m good.
When we’re almost done, Uaxin clears her throat and addresses Kyte. “I am very sorry about your mother.”
“Thank you.” He says it warmly, but I feel the pain that ripples to life inside him.
She moves closer and swipes her hair from her eyes, as if she has something urgent to say but needs to work up the nerve.
We wait, and I try not to stare at her. No need to put more pressure on her when she’s speaking more than ever.
She clears her throat again. “Your mother sent the fleet for me. To the planet where the …” She takes a deep breath and pushes her shoulders back. “Where the Alphas had taken me and were holding me prisoner.”
I reach for her hand and pull it into my lap as she talks. She doesn’t pull away, and that’s a win for us, I think.
“She sent the warriors to get me, and they killed the …” She pauses for a long time, nothing but the tinkling of the fountain and the distant voices of other cadets marring the quiet. After another deep breath, she continues, “They killed the ones who had hurt me, and then they brought me here. Your mother. She was on the ship. She took care of me. Brought me back from the nightmare.” She wipes her eyes with the back of her sleeve. “She was kind. And I send all my prayers to the Pillars that she is at ease in the star-filled night.” She lets out a shaky breath and bows her head.
Kyte vibrates as if he’s been physically hit, and we all tether him to this place, helping him breathe through his grief but also experience pride for the woman who meant so much to so many.
