“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not right now.”
“Whenever you’re ready.” He held her in her towel, the coolness of his crystal shell amplifying the lingering cold of the water. “Are you safe, aöseria?”
She pressed her face against his shoulder. “Yes. I’ll be ok. I’m just sad she had to leave.”
Örim pulled her closer. “You’ll tell me if your thoughts are dark.”
“I will. But I’m not thinking about leaving.”
“Good. Should we find something to keep you busy for a bit?”
“Yes please.”
“Let’s get dressed, and I’ll give you a ride over to the pichari.”
Cassie shook her head. “I can walk there myself. You have work to do.”
“That’s fine. Let me know when you get there and when you’re coming back.”
I will.She hugged him again before setting out into the heat of the day. While she walked to the pichari enclosure, she tried to remember all the things she had loved about Kestrel. Even though they fought. She also tried to remember all the reasonsshehad to stay. Örim. The pups. Eleri. Piper and Swift. Kalai. Chocolate. Walks in the sunshine. Maybe that would be her next task, helping passeri decide to stay. She knew how difficult the choice was.
EPILOGUE
Cassie
Piper, don’t push! There’s enough space for everyone.The four of them, Cassie, Swift, Rhea, and Piper, crowded onto one of the plush seats that wasn’t really designed for more than two people. Piper crawled onto Cassie’s lap while Swift held up the holovid for everyone to see. Rhea pulled out a container of snacks she’d stolen from somewhere. No one had ever been able to figure out her source. The Aviarist had just returned from a long excursion, and in a fit of unexpected generosity, had given all the passeri a night off.
The holovid ran down. It was a musical story about an old Earth animal called a dog going off on adventures. Piper snored and drooled against her shoulder. Swift and Rhea were silently fighting over the last of the snacks. Cassie smiled.
Cassie took in the enormous spaceport. She hadn’t been anywhere so overwhelming since her initial journey to Laurus. It had almost eaten her alive then, but now, with Örim by her side, she no longer felt so anxious. The bustle of people and the assortment of noises weren’t her favorite setting, but there was no crushing weight of overwhelm. Her chest was fine. Örim’s arm was around her waist, and she didn’t even mind the curious looks they were getting. It was probably more for him than for her anyway. The IA had never registered a teösian and human mating before, so the paperwork had to be invented on the spot.
“How is your breathing, aöseria?”
My breathing? It’s okay for now.She turned to her mate whose eyestones were fixed on her with concern.
“If I understand correctly, Oscilla Dor’s atmosphere has a slightly lower oxygen content than Cassiaq-IV. You may require supplemental oxygen for any strenuous activities.Sökt,look at that list of poisonous plants. We’ll have to be cautious with any outdoor excursions.” Örim was busy scanning the human precautions page on the Oscilla Dor tourism wave when Swift and Piper’s familiar forms came tearing through the crowd of tourists.
She almost didn’t recognize them. They’d grown so much since the last time she’d seen them.
“Cassie!” Half-urtazi Piper threw herself at Cassie first, the slightly slimy texture of her orange polka dotted skin was a welcome reminder of everything Cassie had missed.
Hi Pipes. I missed you.
“We missed you so much! Swift and I talk about you all the time!” As the youngest of her fledglings, Piper had avoided the voicelock, being only six when they’d been extracted.
Only good things, I hope.
While nine-year-old Piper nuzzled against her neck, Swift pulled Cassie forward out of Örim’s grasp, so she was down at his level. His much smaller half-giradey frame only came up to her shoulder. She crouched in front of him, with Piper still clinging to her.
The only absence was Rhea. She wouldn’t have clung. She would have made a joke about Cassie’s long hair or asked her what it was like to have a mate. Rhea would have been twenty now, finally an adult by IA standards. Cassie pushed aside the familiar ache in her heart. She had already spent so long mourning Rhea’s loss.
Cassie! Cassie! Tell me about the starship. I’ve never been on one. My parents say when I’m older, I can travel, but for now, I have to finish my schooling.Swift spoke so quickly, it was almost difficult to follow the pace of his signs.
Maybe ask Örim. I was flight sick the whole time.
Örim? Is that your mate’s name? Are you going to stay here with us?
