Page 159 of The Edge of Dawn

She followed it, undaunted by the long, unfamiliar corridors; the winding twists and turns.

She forgot she was on a massive alien space station.

She just wanted to see him and make sure he was okay.

He’d done so much.

He’d been through so much.

She knew he was damn tough, but still…

He wasn’t invincible.

And both of them had waited long enough. They’d been pushed and pulled by Tarak’s schemes and the forces of the Universe. They’d thrown their lives to the fates because they believed what they were doing was right.

It had all happened so fast, like a whirlwind, and she didn’t even question it anymore.

She simply did what she’d been afraid to do in the past—follow her instincts.

How different she was from the past version of herself that had been running scared on Earth.

The confusion was gone. The cacophony of voices in her head had fallen silent.

For the first time in longer than she could remember, she felt like she was in control of her future.

She reached a door.

This is where he is.

She just knew. His presence felt stronger than ever before.

But he wasn’t conscious. The state of his ka’qui told her that much. As intense as it was, it felt flat, like a glassy ocean without ripples.

Jade. You’re awake. A familiar voice resounded in her mind. It was Noa; as calm and reassuring as ever. I hope you’re feeling refreshed.

I feel… restored, Jade replied.

Restored but not yet fulfilled.

I’m glad to hear that. You certainly needed the rest. You were exhausted after using the krisalix. Your ka’qui was completely depleted. But you did amazing. You and Dragek actually saved the Universe, you know.

Jade shook her head. No. That was all Dragek, Tarak, Ashrael, and the rest of the Kordolian warriors. I just… followed him because I was anxious about him. I needed to reassure myself he was okay. I didn’t do anything special.

Don’t underestimate yourself, Jade. In the same circumstances, a lot of people would have shied away from the challenge. Many humans wouldn’t have been able to see beyond Dragek’s past or his Kordolian features. But you did. You accepted him for what he was. Not everyone could have done that.

I saw inside his head, Noa. He let me in. Maybe… if he hadn’t done that… if he hadn’t trusted me at that moment, I wouldn’t have been able to do all this.

I think you need to give yourself more credit. You were so strong. Given the state of the world and the Universe, it’s hard to trust anyone these days, let alone someone from another planet. But something inside made it possible. And what you’ve been through—what we’ve all been through—is absolutely wild. But this is your life now, Jade, and it’s going to reward you in ways you can’t possibly imagine.

Jade let Noa’s words wash over her as she stood in the empty corridor, staring at the faintly curved obsidian wall. In the cool, silent depths of the ship, surrounded by shadows, she felt safer than ever before.

How had she managed to get here? To feel so close to Dragek, she would prioritize his safety over his and go to him without a second thought?

How was it that she felt so comfortable doing this?

So natural, as if they’d known one another for an eternity?

She thought about the person she’d been on Earth: safe, conscientious, with her entire life planned out before her—or so she’d thought.

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