Kaede gave a curt nod. It would have to be enough.
The crowd around them broke suddenly, parting like water around a stone.
Masmi emerged, her presence commanding immediate stillness. She moved with the certainty of a leader who had never needed to raise her voice to be obeyed. She stopped before them and dropped into a formal salute, fist to chest, eyes lifting to Selena and then to Zirene.
“Beacon. Sovereign,” Masmi said evenly. “My warriors stand ready. We will provide aid, resources, and—if it comes to it—we are willing and able to fight.”
Zirene didn’t hesitate. His gaze sharpened as it settled on her. “I want your warriors defending the Sol system. It will be our final line. This is where it began—our origin, our capital. The Beacon remains on Destima.” His eyes hardened, locking with Masmi’s. “And you will protect her.”
The stare carried more than command. It carried truth. Masmi understood it instantly—Selena needed to be safe not only as the Beacon, but as his Nova. If she were kidnapped—or worse, killed—his sanity would slip until either Masmi or Royak were forced to end his life.
Masmi inclined her head in acceptance. “She will be guarded fiercely. I refuse to allow history to repeat itself.”
Selena stepped forward before anyone could stop her and wrapped Masmi in a fierce embrace. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For everything. I wish things were different. I wish I could stay longer—with you, on your world.”
Masmi’s arms came around her, solid and warm. “When this war is over,” she said, voice roughening just slightly, “you’re welcome to return. Bring your cubs. Your clan. We’ll celebrate the victory properly—on our soil.”
Kaede cleared his throat. “It’s time.”
The clan moved toward theShadowClaw. Tori and Celyze guided Ryzen between them with careful steps, the young Cosmic Soul’s sapphire skin flickering with silver speckles as he monitored the unstable Verya. V’dim and Z’fir fell into step withZ, already discussing fleet formations and defensive strategies in low voices. Zyxel positioned himself at Selena’s flank, his tail sweeping a protective arc behind her.
Kaede didn’t follow.
Selena stopped at the base of the ramp, turning back to him. “You’re not boarding?”
“TheAbyssis faster.” Kaede closed the distance, his hand finding her waist by instinct, anchoring himself to the reality of her. Her brow furrowed. “I’ll shadow your vessel. Run interference. Cover more ground from my own ship.”
Her brow furrowed. “Kaede—”
He cut her off with a kiss.
Not gentle.
Not one of the quiet brushes they shared in safety.
This was fierce, desperate—claiming, devotion, terror pressed into the hard line of his mouth against hers. His fingers slid into her hair, tilting her head back, memorizing the taste of her like he could store it for later—
No.
He refused that thought with the same cold discipline he used to refuse pain.
When he pulled back, they were both breathing harder. Her spots had shifted to deep violet, her eyes slightly dazed.
“I’ll see you on Destima,” he said, forehead to hers for one heartbeat—one stolen moment before the mask snapped back into place. “Stay out of trouble for me, Star. That’s an order.”
A wet, shaky laugh escaped her. “How am I supposed to get into trouble on my ship?”
“You somehow always find a way.” The barest curve of a smile tugged at his mouth beneath the visor. “Go. Record your speech. Reach more of them than you could from the pad. Show them what their Beacon is made of.”
Her hand lingered against his chest an extra second. Like she was trying to feel his heartbeat through armor and stubbornness.
Then she turned and walked up the ramp, Zyxel close at her side.
Kaede watched until the ramp sealed. Until theShadowClaw’sengines thrummed, the vessel lifting from the pad with smooth, controlled power.
Only then did he let himself exhale.
The fear stayed. A cold weight lodged behind his sternum, refusing to budge until Selena was on Destima and he could wrap himself around her and their unborn daughter and keep the galaxy out.
