“Eos?” I ask.
Aura replies, “An Orillium, a spirit orb that operates the vessel like AI. She is one of our much larger fleet now, a spirit in a ship’s husk. Please jump with Fieri when your mission there is complete. We have much to discuss. Aura out.”
“Fieri?” I ask.
“I am here.”
“What all am I looking at in terms of the Drathious?”
He hums a note. “They’re larger than humans, about our size, with wings, and they catch fire from the Inferno... What?”
I hear the soft thump of someone being punched in the shoulder.
“Ow, Blaize! What the hell?” Fieri swears.
Someone breathes out with force. “She means about the crops.”
Fieri snorts. “No shit. Crops burn if they aren’tsturdy. It is relevant. Asshole. I apologize, Brynna. Do you remember the last batch of seedlings we requested about a year ago?”
I pull it up on my tablet. “I still have the order.”
“It will be similar. We bought those to help the Drathious when they were recovering after another battle. But right now, we need to get them situated in space so they can move awayfrom Talhuskins. Denarso attacked a cargo transport before this last battle, and you know they often work with Talhuskins.”
“I do.”
“Anyway, we just need to bring the Drathious into our protection. We just can’t take them to the surface of our homeworld, because it only allows those with honorableStorms. Infernos do not qualify unless they are Jorusk, who is blessed by Orillium Allele.
“I know that name. Jorusk.”
“Likely. He was on the last crew, moving seedlings.” Fieri’s words soften. “Aura mentioned you are going to join the Alien Bride Race?”
“Iwas.”
“Perhaps it is time for a break. It has changed Aura for the better, even though he didn’t want to go. Perhaps, we can work out some way to maintain your ship so you can go.”
“She’s a lot of work,” I warn.
Eos’ voice speaks over the coms. “My crew is very skilled. They put up with each other a lot.”
A video feed opens up, and I think Eos has connected us to a video chat without permission.
“Ah, Eos?” Blaize covers his face with a big purple hand. “I don’t think that came out the way you intended.”
“Is it not true?” she asks.
Fieri leans his purple face in front of the camera, showing me the seriousness in his bright green eyes. “We will work things out. If you want to go, say so. And don’t mind Blaize. He’s just self-conscious about his beard. It is not asmagnificentas a Thorian’s. But he’s hoping a human female will like it.”
Blaize throws something small that flashes like metal at Fieri’s head.
“Hey, chill out.” Fieri ducks and glares at Blaize. “Behave yourself, or no female will ever want yourferalass.”
I reconsider the Alien Bride Race. Aura’s people have only ever been helpful and kind. I know I can trust them.
“I…would like that. I am…tired.” Tired of getting the crap beaten out of me, shit breaking, and prices going up. I want to feel safe for a change, not sleep lightly because I’m always listening for intruders or the hiss of the hydropump system leaking again.
Fieri elbows Blaize in the side. “Then we will make it happen. Right?”
Blaize winces. “Yes. And you’re a dick.”
