Her bodyguard’s expression was veiled, while her sister-in-law and niece clung together, faces drawn with grief.
Jenna shifted her attention outside the freighter then and down the ramp.
Rows of black and gold armored figures awaited her.
For a short while, she’d stepped out of her old life.
For a few days, she and Malik had been on the run, planning and executing a rescue together. The boundaries between them had blurred, yet the events back at Mir-Brennan Tower and the sight of Commander Levi Mir-Brennan, standing rigidly to attention at the head of the column, reminded her of who she was, of who Malik was.
And the things that divided them.
Glancing down at her soot and dust-covered tank top and cargo pants, Jenna’s mouth thinned. It was as if she were looking down at herself from above, detached and a little scornful.
There had been moments over the past days when she’d almost believed she could be someone else—that she and Malik could reach across social class and be together against the odds.
But it had been a dream.
The man followed orders, and from now on, she would give them.
Squaring her shoulders, Jenna walked down the ramp into the landing bay. The hiss of extinguishers echoed through the hangar as droids hosed down the rear of the freighter, ensuring its smoldering hold didn’t burst into flames again.
Levi Mir-Brennan watched her, his lean face tightening in surprise. Dressed in black with a golden cloak hanging from his shoulders, his dark skin gleaming in the austere overhead lights, Levi had been one of her brother’s closest friends.
He glanced behind her then, his gaze taking in the clan-lord’s wife and daughter, before his attention snapped back to Jenna.
“My Lady,” he greeted her.
“Commander.”
“The clan-lord … is he—”
“He fell,” she replied, confirming the concern in his eyes. “My brother set off a detonator inside Mir-Brennan Tower. He was responsible for its destruction.” She halted then, swallowing as her throat tightened.
Levi’s throat bobbed, his dark eyes guttering. “That is tragic news, My Lady.” The commander’s gaze cut behind Jenna once more, to the clan-lord’s wife. “I’m truly sorry, Lady Isla.”
TheStar Tempestjolted then, a reminder that there was still a battle going on.
“We will grieve my brother soon, Commander,” Jenna replied, forcing crispness into her voice. “But first, we have more pressing issues to focus on.”
Commander Levi favored her with a brisk nod. “What are your orders, My Lady?”
“What’s our status?”
“We’re holding off the Mir-Ferrins for the moment … but we’re significantly outnumbered.” Levi paused then. “We came, as you ordered … yet this was always to be a diversion and a rescue … not a fair fight. Our shields are taking a battering.”
Jenna’s jaw tightened. She’d seen the size of the Mir-Ferrin blockade and the battle cruisers bearing down on them. “Very well … Commander, give the order to retreat. Our ships are to plot a course back to Staturine II. Make the jump into hyperspace as soon as you’re ready.”
The commander gave another nod. “Yes, My Lady.” Levi swiveled on his heel then, his golden cloak billowing behind him. “I will see it done.”
Jenna stood on the viewing platform, watching asTheStar Tempestmade the jump into hyperspace. The stars turned fluid, streaming over the clear bubble ceiling made of multiple layers of tempered glass overhead.
She tensed, yet dizziness didn’t assail her. Nor did she start sweating or feel sick.
The irony of it wasn’t lost on Jenna. Tragedy had cured her of a malaise that had always made space travel difficult for her.
Standing alone on the viewing platform, she waited for the sorrow she’d kept carefully banked ever since leaving Idral to hit her.
But the tears wouldn’t come.
