“Are you saying you are willing to take me with you as you travel the stars?”
Z’fir glanced at Zirene, who was watching our exchange.
“Perhaps, when things settle down, you can go along their rounds once in a while.”
A loud screech of excitement escaped my lips before I could control myself. I covered my mouth, my face heating from embarrassment as everyone in hearing range stared at me.
Way to be subtle.
“I figured you would want to spend time on your moon before going on any adventures,” Zirene said. “You have a lot to develop before things settle down.”
“Zirene is right. You should focus on relaxing and helping to form your vision forDestimabefore you go on any journeys,” Odelm voiced.
I sighed. They were right, but at least I knew I had the option when it was time.
Glancing at our surroundings, I searched for theDestiny.
Ships in a variety of shapes and sizes filled the hanger, yet they all had one thing in common—each wielded a purple and silver stripe with large black lettering lining the side.
“That is their registration stripe. It indicates the ships’ names and what territory they serve,” Xylo explained.
“Where is theDestiny?” While the ships were impressive, they were tiny compared to the size I estimated theDestinyshould be. Most of the vessels would easily fit inside its terrarium.
“The larger shuttles have their own section of the hanger. A few are too large to dock, so they need to connect via tunnel hubs,” Zirene explained. “Destinyis docked in the Aldawi’s Royal Docking Lobby alongside Royak’sHopeand myGlorious.”
He led us to pass along the side of the wall, through a door with guards stationed at the entrance into a highly decorative hallway. A pair of guards scrambled to attention when they first saw us rounding the corner next to a black and purple door with Aldawi’s symbol in silver. The doors opened, revealing the Aldawi’s Royal Docking Lobby, where Zirene and I marked each other.
It was nearly empty. I assumed it was because all three shuttles were about to leave, so those in the lobby were either stragglers or staying behind.
Two similarly styled black ships caught my eye outside the glass wall. They were sleek in design and only slightly larger than those in the busy common docks but had the same purple and silver stripe the other ships had.
They were dwarfed by the silver domed colony ship next to them. I could make out each of the residential floors as it surrounded the terrarium with its large hanger and engines behind it. It was beautiful even though I could see its age with all the patchwork on its sides.
“That is theDestiny?”
Multiple confirmations sounded behind me.
In silence, I studied the ship that brought me here, engraving it in memory.
“It is time for us to go, Selena,” Z’fir said, his voice gentle.
“Really?” I asked, glancing at both males.
“Yes. We need to report to the bridge and make sure everyone is accounted for,” V’dim explained.
“Can I at least walk you tothedocking tunnel doors?”
They both nodded.
I wrapped my arms around each male as they led me to the nearest door. Pushing down the sadness threatening to surface, I grabbed Z’fir’s face with both hands. His dark brown scale-like skin looked good against my own bronze hands as I pulled his head down mine.
“Be safe.” I closed my eyes and kissed him, sending all my thoughts and well wishes to him. He shivered in my hands as I ended the sweet kiss, opening my eyes to see his emerald pupilless ones locked onto mine.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
I nodded as I let go of him, and turned toward V’dim, surprised he had moved and was nearly pressed against my back. His turquoise eyes searched mine as I faced him as if asking—wanting—to be kissed too.
Stepping onto my toes, I gave him a gentle kiss, feeling his coolness on my lips.
