“I know,” Zara admitted with a smile. “Though I’ll be happy when the earthquake assessment I’m working on is finished. Four more sites to evaluate, then we can take an actual break instead of just a quick layover to visit the baby.”
“How’s that going?” I asked. “The planet with the earthquake issues?”
“Interesting.” Zara’s expression shifted to something more serious. “The seismic activity is increasing in frequency and intensity. We’re trying to determine if it’s natural tectonic movement or if there’s something else causing it. Some of the readings don’t make sense yet.”
“Be careful,” I said.
“Always am.” She squeezed my arms. “But enough about work. Tell me more about life in the valley. You’re really happy there?”
The question held weight. Six months ago, she’d watched me board that ship looking like I was being torn in half. Now she was trying to figure out if I’d made the right choice.
“I am,” I said simply. “Really happy. It’s a work in progress right now, but it’s home.”
“Home,” Maya echoed. “Nota prison?”
“Definitely not a prison.” I glanced over at Rezor again and caught him looking at me with that expression that still made my heart skip. “I love the work I’m doing on the power grid. Not because I have to do it, but because that’s where I want to be.”
“With him,” Zara said.
“With him,” I agreed. “The valley is changing so fast. Every week brings new visitors, new ideas, new possibilities. We’re building something incredible there. A bridge between the old world and the new one. Between D’tran traditions and galactic technology. It’s challenging and exciting and sometimes completely overwhelming.”
“But you love it,” Maya said.
“I love it.” I felt the truth of it settle over me. “I can have Rezor and the valley and my friends and my work and my freedom to explore. It’s not either-or. It’s all of it, together.”
“Look at you,” Zara said. “All grown up and emotionally healthy.”
“Shut up,” I said, but I was smiling.
Across the room, Jesi started fussing. Rykar lifted his daughter to his shoulder with practiced ease and rocked her gently.
“She’s hungry,” he said, already heading toward where Maya stood. “Someone needs her mama.”
Maya took Jesi, settling into a chair to feed her. Rezor came over to join me, his marks still glowing softly with residual warmth from holding the baby.
“She’s so small,” he said, his voice filled with wonder. “And soft.”
“They have to be,” I said. “Otherwise birthing them would be a bigger deal than it already is.”
He winced and slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me against his side. “It makes me think about what our children might look like. If we’re compatible.”
We’d been tested last month. The results wouldn’t be back for another few weeks, but the Destran medical team seemedoptimistic. Something about genetic markers that suggested cross-compatibility was possible.
“We’ll find out soon,” I said, leaning into him. “But even if we can’t have biological children, there are other options. And we’ll have each other no matter what.”
“True.” He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I just want a future with you. However that looks.”
“Me too.” I turned to look up at him. “Are you ready to go home tomorrow?”
His whole face lit up. “Yes. I miss the valley. Miss our bed. Miss the quiet of our mountains.”
“Miss the endless council meetings?” I teased.
“Well. Not those.” He grimaced. “But I even miss Zelana and her prophecies, which should tell you how much I want to be home.”
I laughed. “Home sounds perfect. I have three system upgrades to finish, and Venith wants my help with the new water filtration design.”
“And I have crops to inspect and trade negotiations to finalize.” He sighed happily. “Boring, normal, wonderful home things.”
