“Ames! Are you feeling okay? What are you doing here?”
“Oh, your sister got fed up with me.” Amelia sank onto the bench where Torian had previously been sitting. It was a curved shape, expertly carved from thick pine, set in a massive clearing at the base of the kerrac tree. This deep in the forest, everything was quiet except for the chirping of insects and the occasional scuttle of those fluffy alien squirrels.
Torian took a tentative seat beside Amelia, gauging how she looked. “That sounds fake.” Celise had an abrasive bedside manner, but she’d threaten a patientintobed before she’d kick them out of one.
Then again, Celise had never particularly liked Amelia. Maybe she shouldn’t put it past her sister.
Amelia’s skin had returned to its normal copper color, her lips no longer blue. She may be moving slower, but was clearly on a path to recovery. She waved a hand. “Fine, I might have left without her permission. I’m not meant to be a patient, and I’m definitely not patient enough to stay in bed.”
“You should still be resting.” Torian raised a disapproving eyebrow.
Amelia scoffed. “I was a little cold. I’m fine now.”
“Alittlecold?”
“Yes.” She held up her arms for proof, still wearing that faux-leather jacket—which was, admittedly, a good argument. In the consistent, comfortable temperature of Vaesa, Amelia might even be too warm.
Torian snorted. “You endured a traumatic experience.”
Amelia waved her off. “Every experience with you is traumatic.” Her tone was teasing, though.
“Gee, thanks,” Torian drawled. “A wonder you even stick around.”
“It really is.” Amelia winked, then heaved a satisfied sigh and tilted her head upward. Her short, spiky hair was mussed, likely from lying on a bed swathed in pillows. It made her look ever so slightly disheveled, which was a rarity for Amelia.
Torian couldn’t look away.
Amelia didn’t notice. “This is a big tree.”
“Yeah, it is.”Focus, Torian. Fumbling to avert her gaze, she pointed at one of the nearby pine trees. “See the moss? That’s—”
“Let me guess. Moss?”
“All right, smarty-pants.” Torian had forgotten, briefly, that they’d already met before she could facilitate introductions. “Sorry it snuck onto your starship.”
Amelia’s lips quirked. “Well, I can’t exactly complain about that after yesterday. But I will say, it’s… pretty impressive. Not sure how you found theonestarship with an ultra-advanced life support, but… I like it.”
Torian rested her hand beside Amelia, bracing herself on the bench. Her fingers were close enough to lightly brush Amelia’s thigh, if she wanted. “I don’t know. I feel really, really lucky.”
“Me, too.” Amelia hesitated. “And a little stupid insulting your starship the first time I saw it.”
If Moss was listening, that would have been the perfect time to chime in. But Peat was busying itself with the rest of the smugglers, and Dutch and Moss had spent hours conversing with thekeels, drawing up a new alliance. Torian had watched some of it, and then retreated to the forest.
After so much travel, it was nice to just… sit in stillness for a bit.
She couldn’t believe how different her life was now.
Torian admired the kerrac tree’s canopy. Her voice was soft. “I’m really glad we got to talk on Colony 4, Ames. And I’m sorry for pushing you toward Rhymarra all that time.”
Overhead, Kerracia’s leaves glimmered like sparkling stars. Or like the lights at the tips of the keels’ tails. Or like the strands that flowed down Dutch’s hair when he got excited. There was undoubtedly a scientific explanation for the similarities, but Torian’s weary mind labeled it simply:
Magic.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t brave enough to go back.” Amelia broke the silence, still avoiding her gaze.
“You’re the bravest person I know.”
Amelia laughed roughly. “No, Torian. I take the easy path.You’rethe one who’s actually brave.”
