Neron Skies

each out. I feel. I take a walk thr

to find. I go

h a hand out. I hes

onversation was strain

s of silence h

ss h

en. I miss

on that

gh alone in our ship, I’m still sitting pe

a pique of atten

moving, as if walking down corridors, aroun

choes through my br

though I’m not actually speaking the words out l

ember that vision. Of him, of me. I rem

he asks when I do

e it. “I just…” I take in a deep breath, pressing my knuckles

n feel that familiar depth, tha

very bit of it sounds like a confession

es, my brain. My eyes are already closed, b

spill from my heart, to my brain, out my lips. “I don’t know who I am

—and I swear it’s real. An

emembering how it felt to have his hand t

you, V

absolutely true and

t there’s this hint of hope tied to him

see you,”

, because Valen is dangerous. He didn’t want to know where I was going. Him knowing puts everyone on

t regret t

says the words, and there’s a hint of

you, but it’s impossible. You’re with Cyril

us will be here for at least another lunar. I was preparing to leave, any

e Black Arrow,” I say, shaking my he

ake one of the Class 5 ships on The Dominion. They’re in an

mp three inches higher in my

t be followed?” I ask

ded to a ship? Is he really so anxious? “

r, biting them into place out of guilt. “In the S sector

doing mental calculations, planning. “I can

’t make any sense, what he’s doing, what I asked. But six days feels like an eternit

I shouldn’t be smiling. I’ve just done a terri

huge hull of The Dominion, considering different ships. I can imagine them, all in a line