Nero Nights

the ship for over an hour, tangled in the mechanical guts of this beast, double and triple checking that every critical connection between the ship and the

d on the floor of the mechanical room above me at the openin

ug. “That’s the problem. I have no idea what’s br

m with him. “We will figure it out,” he says, his tone reassuring. “There’s a reason Cyrilliu

s wrong with the ship. I’m annoyed that this slam ship is so slam complicated and t

but I don’t walk out just ye

at?” he

ld know about me. I don’t exactly always think before I act. I’m sorry I thought taking this ship was a good idea. I’m sorry I thought I c

the back of me. Gently, he turns me in place, making me look up at h

cheek, caressing it. “Your quick thinking got us out of the Compound, Nova,” he says. “Cyrillius has thousands of ships that could have taken us down in an ordinary ship. His soldiers are the best in the galaxy.

my eyes well a little. I turn my face away from him, t

being afraid of yourself, Nova,” he says softly. In his ey

rible things in his life. How can someone who’s

reach me. I feel

I wrap my arms behind his nec

ave no idea what all of t

act that I’ve only kisse

speration, even as I let the tears rol

holds me like I’m going to shatter and his arms are

d I don’t release him. Like I weigh nothing at all, he walks ac

rs stream down my face in an unceasing river. I cling tighter to Valen.

eping quarters. Gently, Valen climbs onto the bed, careful

ping a firm grip on his tunic so he can’t leave me. My heart

rotection.

way. My father. I never doubted him, that he

alen’s eyes. Which mak

nd my ear, his touch so gentle.

ing such gentle care of me, asking when I last ate. “I…I have no i

est. I’m going to go fin

o tell him that I will help him, tha

is expression. He

k I want t

I agree

lips before he stands and heads to the

owing down in the surprisingly comfortable bed. My eyes fix on

thinking of all the ramificati

m a Nero. He knows

d Edan get away? Are

all think hap

d…