Nikla, the most aggressive of the cubs, didn’t like that answer. “Then why did you chase after her?”
“Uh, because it was my duty,” he said.
Nova almost laughed at the way the Tiema family glared at him with their long ears pinned back against their heads to show their displeasure. Nikla’s back fur was even fluffed up, an unconscious act of aggression.
“So you’re her new owner?” Mashie asked.
“How much do you want for her?” Miffla asked.
“She’s our family, not your property,” they both said together.
“Nova isn’t for sale,” Miran said, looking to her for help. She gave him a smile. He deserved this for hiding in the theatre whenhe could’ve walked up to the stage and talked to her before Riff and Sanian showed up.
“Then she’s free to come with us?” Melee challenged. “Perfect. You can drop us off at the nearest station with a transit center.”
“She’s free, but she’s also my mate,” Miran said, his expression going from surprised to determined. “If Nova decides to go with you, then you have to accept me into the family too.”
Nova almost fell out of her chair. He’d promised he’d leave with her, but she’d thought those were words spoken in a tense moment.
“You’d leave with me?”
She didn’t realize she’d said that out loud until the Tiema family all turned their heads to look at her.
“Is it true, is he your mate?” Melee asked.
“Yes?” Nova said but then didn’t like how it came out of her mouth like a question. Sitting up straighter, she met Melee’s gaze. “Yes, he’s my mate.”
Melee nodded. “Then he can come with us also. We were thinking of joining the Charmed. They’re opening a circus and are eager to hire acts.”
It was easy to picture her life with the Tiema family. She and Miran would develop a couples act and they could also work with the Tiemas on a group act. They were such a diverse group that they could be very successful!
Then the children on the Assist filtered through her head. No, she couldn’t leave them. She felt a deep connection with all the little souls who were created to be sold but got lucky and were rescued by the Hissa.
While she’d been thinking about the future, Miran and Melee were talking.
“Can you wait until we get back to Hissa before accepting another job?” Miran asked. “I can provide room and board onthis ship. Leaving early would make it hard for my people to get home.”
Melee didn’t look pleased. “By the time we finish the journey, the Charmed might have all the acts they need.”
“I can help you—”
“I don’t want to go!” Nova said, interrupting Miran and pulling everyone's attention to her.
Melee looked a little hurt. “You don’t?”
Nova moved off her chair and knelt in front of Melee. It reminded her of when she’d been young and upset. Melee had always been ready to comfort her. She’d added Nova to her cubs without a second thought.
“I don’t want to go, but I don’t want you to leave either," Nova said. “What if we opened a circus and playhouse on Hissa? They don’t have anything for entertainment! Nothing at all!”
The Tiema family gasped in unison. They’d never heard of a civilization that didn’t have some form of live entertainment.
“They must have musicians,” Hashor said.
They all looked to Miran because Nova didn’t have the answer.
“Uh, we don’t,” Miran said, looking bemused. “We have traditional instruments, but not many know how to play them anymore. I haven’t heard of a group playing together since my childhood.”
They all looked at Miran with both pity and disbelief.
