Relief tingled across my skin. Did my words finally get through to him?
Levi tilted his head. “It’s not like I have any responsibilities back on Earth. After crashing the ship and disobeying the admiral, I’m definitelyrelieved of my position.” He flashed a wry grin. “Plus, I have a more important responsibility now, don’t I? We’ve got a baby to raise.”
A ribbon of delight twirled inside me. I captured Levi in a blissful embrace. He laughed into my chest, hugging me back. Happiness was a near-tangible force between us, linking our souls and hearts.
“Hey, speaking of babies,” Levi mentioned after we parted and continued our walk around the village. “I haven’t seen a single young Maeleon since we arrived. All I’ve met are adults.”
“Yes, you have a sharp eye. Currently, all of our youngest siblings are on a journey far away.”
Levi perked up. “Oh, right. I remember back when we first arrived, you mentioned something about your siblings being on a quest.”
I smiled, pleased he recalled that detail. “Yes. Those are the youngest members of the village.”
“I guess since you sent them away, they’re not children, but more like teenagers?”
“Nobody ‘sent them away,’” I corrected. “They chose to embark on their own. But yes, it is a rite of passage into adulthood.”
“Oh, I get it,” Levi said, nodding. Then he sharply turned his head. “Hey, is that Paz?”
His friend stood near the edge of the village, staring out into the Sweetfields. He wore a blue onesie, as they called it, no doubt woven by Linn’ar.
“Hey,” Levi said again when his friend didn’t respond. “Anyone home?”
Paz started. “Huh? Oh, it’s you two lovebirds.”
“What are you doing here by yourself?” Levi asked.
Paz hummed. “Thought I’d get some air after the whole fruit debacle.” He picked absentmindedly at the hem of his onesie. “Do you feel like you’re forgetting something? Or like, waiting for something to happen?”
Levi frowned sympathetically. “Not really, no.”
Paz sighed, turning back to the field. “Never mind.” Suddenly snapping back, he cried, “Oh, shit! I just remembered you passed out earlier.”
“How do you know that?” Levi asked.
“Are you kidding? The whole village knows. How could we not, when Zat’tor stormed the place shouting about how you passed out?”
“Oh,” Levi said, blushing as he cast a brief glance at me. “I didn’t know he did that.”
“Yeah, he did. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, thanks.” Levi arched a brow. “Anyway, whatever’s on your mind has you messed up, huh?”
Paz rubbed his arm. “I don’t know why I’m so distracted. I blame the horny fruit.”
I angled my head, examining Paz. The distance in his gaze felt like longing. It gave me the same impression Jaeyoung’s expression did when he hid away from Linn’ar. I followed Paz’s gaze across the stretch of land. There was nothing on the horizon, but eventually, our siblings would return from there. Not that Paz knew that.
Or perhaps, in his heart, he did.
“By the way, Paz,” Levi began awkwardly. “Jaeyoung already knows, so I should probably tell you, too...”
Paz twirled around, eyes filled with curiosity. It was the first time he’d given Levi his full attention since the conversation began.
“Huh? What does he know that I don’t? Tell me,” he urged.
Levi held up one finger. “I’ll tell you, but before you say anything, understand that I’m not lying. This is serious.”
Paz danced on the balls of his feet, increasingly enthusiastic. “Yeah, all right, sure, tell me.”
