Page 114 of Stars in Nova

‘Kisan,’ Malik said, his eyes dilated in awe. ‘You came back! Did you bring us anything from Galicia?’

‘Why would I?’ he teased.

He laughed when the girl shot her hip out and planted her hands on them.

He glanced at Samira, who gave him a slight nod.

With a smirk, he reached into his bag for a small pouch and handed it over.

Liora squealed, hugged him, and peered in, removing a stunning fidget spinner crafted of glowing glass. ‘Wow, all my friends will be so jealous.’

‘I figured you’d like one. More?’

He handed her a second package, and she ripped it, pulling out a sequence of miniature cute furry toys, sighing in happiness. ‘The Nest series, so adorable!’

‘How about me?’ called out Malik.

Kisan arched a brow at the boy, hedged, and tossed a pouch at the lad, who leaped up and seized it.

Malik opened his prize, revealing two glowing handballs and a small helo that powered at the touch of his finger.

‘Awesome haul,’ Samira called out. ‘Now, where is the appreciation? I’ve taught you better manners than that.’

Both kids ran for the Rider. ‘Sante,’ they breathed into his neck as he caught them in his grasp.

‘You’re welcome,’ Kisan replied, his rumble hoarser than usual.

Nearby, Samira’s aunt appeared, her warm embrace pulling her niece into another round of tearful greetings. ‘You’re back,’ the older woman muttered, thick with emotion. ‘Thank the waters.’

Sax stood with eyes on the family from a distance, his broad frame leaning against the entrance.

His expression was skeptical, though there was a flicker of something softer in his eyes.

‘Who are you, man?’ he muttered to Kisan, shaking his head as he sidled alongside his mate.

For once, the Rider dropped the snark and lightheartedness he shared with his long-time friend, his face sobering. ‘I’m a soul that can finally exhale deep beneath a scorched earth.’

Samira locked her eyes with her man and waved him over. ‘Kralji, bring Sax to meet my family.’

The endearment brought an arch to Misandra’s brow. ‘Kralji,ay?’

‘Stop it, aunt. I’ll tell you later.’

‘That you will, child,’ her aunt said, waggling her brows suggestively.

The Sarabaite approached with some reluctance, his imposing presence drawing curious stares from the children.

He greeted them, eyes crinkling as they went to town with questions about his meta ink and all the relics and jewels hanging off him.

In no time, they’d snagged the reluctant monk and dragged him to a rock, where they got caught up in a slew of scary off-world tales and anecdotes he spun.

They marveled at his belt, which contained carved amulets that glowed with an inner light as if alive and touched his shifting tattoos.

‘Kisan has the same type of tattoos. Are you brothers?’ Liora asked.

Sax tilted his head in thought for a moment. ‘We’re closer than siblings, as we’ve shared blood, death, and gore.’

The kids squealed in mock horror. ‘Tell us, please!’

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