Page 169 of The Edge of Dawn

That they could do stuff like this after everything that had happened and everything that was.

And she could stand out here, digging her bare feet into the warm sand, her man beside her radiating the most warm, serene, protective aura she’d ever felt.

“I’m a bit partial to high tea,” she replied, glancing up at his face. He wore a deep hood that cast a shadow over his silvery Kordolian features. Of course, Dragek didn’t like the sun. None of the Kordolians did, on account of the ultraviolet being highly damaging to their skin and eyes.

But he’d adapted.

They had high-tech sunblock and dark glasses.

Dragek didn’t even need the lenses. The sun couldn’t affect his eyes.

“Go on, then,” he encouraged. “You should enjoy all these things now that you’re back on Earth.”

He left the obvious unspoken, but Jade understood.

Not too long ago, she hadn’t known if she would ever get to enjoy such simple pleasures ever again.

Life was too short, too precious.

She cherished it now more than ever. The way she understood the world and the Universe had completely changed. Before, when she’d lived such a safe and predictable experience, she’d always felt—deep down—like she was waiting for something to happen.

The thought had crossed her mind more than once—surely, this can’t be it.

She didn’t have those kinds of thoughts anymore.

“I’ll go, but I’m not in a hurry. I actually don’t mind just being here with you for a while.” She looked out across the desert, where the brilliant reddish-brown dunes met the endless blue sky. “It’s so calm, isn’t it? So beautiful. This land… it’s ancient, you know, and it’s remarkable that it’s still untouched after all this time. I can see why Kenna likes to stay out here. There’s something about it that makes me feel so grounded.”

“Earth has its charms,” Dragek acknowledged. “It’s unlike any planet I’ve ever visited. The diversity of environments is unique. I could get used to it.”

“Well, you’re going to have to. You are all staying, aren’t you?”

“It’s going to become our primary base in the Nine Galaxies. It’s the future of our species—and yours.”

“I know I certainly need you, but not all humans are going to embrace the Kordolian way so willingly. Some argue that we would go on reproducing just fine without Kordolians in the mix.”

Dragek chuckled. “That may be true, but now that everyone in the Nine Galaxies knows of your planet and its rich resources, Earth is bound to attract attention. You need protection, and nobody is better equipped to defend this planet than us. There is an argument that for the sake of survival, one must align themselves with the strongest.”

“There is no objection from me. All I’m saying is there are a lot of people that are going to be terrified of the new status quo.”

“That’s why Tarak has ceded responsibility for Earth’s governance to the mates—including you.”

“Me? What would I know about running a planet?”

“You? You have the ability to peer into minds. You know about laws and justice. And you are righteous.”

Jade couldn’t deny it; she was terribly daunted by the responsibility that was about to fall on her shoulders. But then she remembered the group of women she’d met. The so-called Kordolian Wives’ Club.

Between them, they had a wide range of skills, knowledge, and experience. Abbey was a plant biologist overseeing the largest space-based food production project in existence. Arin was ex-military, now in charge of logistics. Jia was a spacecraft mechanic. Riana was highly trained in informatics and network systems. Kora was a nurse. Alexis had worked in law enforcement as a detective.

Layla had been a high-profile actress; she understood the entertainment industry and wasn’t averse to being in front of a camera. She could communicate a message if needed. Sera was a journalist who owned a media company. Clarissa knew the ins and outs of the corporate world. Mari was street-smart and understood a side of the world that others often didn’t see.

Tasha had a very unique set of skills.

Sienna could turn any set of ingredients into a gourmet masterpiece, and had introduced the spartan Kordolians to the concept of good food.

Soraya was a teacher, polyglot, and academic; as was Seph, who studied alien politics for a living.

Then there was Kai, a human man who had bonded with the only Kordolian female in the Darkstar crew. Jade didn’t exactly understand his background, but she got the impression he was highly connected and extremely savvy about all things finance and business.

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