She did not deign to give me a response.
When I left, she walked sedately down the corridor toward my quarters. Shaking my head, I followed her and let her into the shared space before sealing the door and heading to Command. The lift was shaky and slow, but it did take me to my destination.
Talvax glanced at me when I entered. She stood, moving toward the door.
“Captain departing,” I called.
Everyone on Command turned toward her, standing straight.
“Return,” she ordered, slipping out of Command, but not before her tail brushed mine.
I knew she was sorry. Talvax was more than my captain—she was my friend and family. I needed to forgive her, but it was difficult when Wyn held my soul. Every concern I had in regards to him was magnified. He was the most important person to me, and that would never change. And he had been hurt and could’ve been taken from me because of her. It would take time before I was able to look at her and see more than Wyn dirty and frantic as he tried to solve an impossible problem.
I took my place on Talvax’s stool and reviewed my reports. Nothing was working well and all of my officers were putting in more time than was regular because there was no other choice. I sent a note to each and every officer on board reminding them to rest and care for themselves. There was a reason for their leisure time; everyone required it. I didn’t want my people to neglect themselves.
Nothing was pressing besides NAID degrading, which was good because we could hardly handle anything else.
The door opened, and I didn’t bother to look, because it had to be someone authorized. I continued reading the status update about our mission to claim Earth. The vvekians had reached the Drakcon station we were limping toward, so at least something was going well.
“Cousin,” Kalvoxrencol said, making me turn. He wasn’t alone. Serlotminden was right beside him. Their expressions were serious, and both of their tails were limp near their feet.
My soul thumped. My knees shook as I stood. A sudden flare of my inner fire lit up my brain. Whatever happened would change my life.
“Wyn?” I asked, my soul threatening to crack.
“He is fine as far as I’m aware,” Serlotminden said. “We need to speak to you alone.”
I moved toward them, every step filled with dread as my gut curled and threatened to send my lunch spewing from my lips.
When the door to Command closed behind us, I faced them, arms crossed. “Tell me.”
“Let’s go to your quarters first,” Kalvoxrencol insisted in a soft voice, his tail taking mine.
I demanded, “Tell me.”
Serlotminden wrapped his tail around both of ours. “Your parents are dead.”
Pain speared through me and clawed my gut open. “Wh-what? No. How? You must be wrong.”
“Your father joined the Crystal over a week ago and your xapher joined him in eternity yesterday.”
I shook my head, trembling as pain ripped me to shreds.
“Hallonnixmin told us,” Kalvoxrencol said.
“Why didn’t he tell me sooner?” I demanded, my ears ringing as numbness began to spread through my limbs.
“Your xapher forbade him. They withered without your father,” Serlotminden said.
Tears slid down my cheeks and my knees crumpled. My cousins caught me, but I couldn’t pay them any mind.
I was alone. Utterly and completely alone.
I burst into our quarters and spotted Bartholomew on the couch and Cincin on her tree, ears back. I didn’t bother to greet him or check on her, instead bolting into the bedroom. Monqilcolnen was sitting on the edge of the bed, his expression blank. His tail was looped around his ankle and his wings were hugging his shoulders.
Both Kalvoxrencol and Serlotminden were standing beside him, blocking my way. I shoved them both to the side, not caring about their social standing, and launched at Monqilcolnen, straddling his lap and wrapping my arms around his neck.
A shuttered sob escaped him the instant I touched him, and he pulled me close. I took his tail in mine and cupped the back of his head, fingers digging into his scalp. “Star, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
