"By the stars," Eleanor said. "Freya is going to rescue her."
"Looks that way," Harbin said.
Veta smacked Wrathin in the arm. "Suit up. We've got to rescue some girls."
Wrathin nodded. He glanced at Jedriek. "Wanna come?"
Jedriek turned to Eleanor. "What do--"
"Go," she said. "Save my sister."
"As you like."
Epilogue
Wrathin and Veta were loading up on the small ship they were taking to get the others.
Jedriek had a moment, and he wanted to speak to Eleanor.
"Imperial Princess," he said.
She turned and stared at him like he was crazy.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I, I wished to speak to you before we left."
"Sure, what's going on, Jedriek?"
"We spoke before about my Craving. The desire."
"Yes."
"But I had always assumed that was all I could experience, considering we could not mate."
She stared at him as he spoke, but she didn't say a word, which only made what he had to say that much harder.
He ran his hand over his head. "I do not know what the future holds, but you have a special place in my soul. I know not what it is, for I've never felt such a thing before. However, you're critical to me."
"And you are important to me as well."
He nodded. "Good. I just..."
"What is it?"
"Jedriek, come on!" Veta called out.
He inhaled a breath. "I want us to find a way to be together."
Eleanor stood there.
It seemed an eternity.
It was zero-point-seven seconds.
"I do too."
He smiled.
