Page 141 of Stars in Nova

Sax stood nearby, with Sharin lingering beside him, eyes fixed on his face.

Sax leaned in, his hands cupping Sharin’s face with surprising tenderness. Their kiss was slow and deliberate, as if neither wanted to break the moment.

Sharin brushed her fingers along his jawline when they parted, her lips curving into a rare smile.

‘You better return someday,’ she said.

‘We’ll see,’ Sax replied, his grin lopsided but genuine. ‘Depends if you want me around for my charm or aim.’

Sharin smirked, crossing her arms. ‘Your charisma is questionable, but your aim’s decent.’

Kisan stood a few paces away, hands crossed over his chest, giving them privacy but catching enough of their exchange to smirk.

When Sax finally stepped back, he turned to the gathered group of Misandra, Malik, Liora, Samira, and the core unit he’d fought with, Garner, Jessa, and Talin.

‘’Friends!’ he grunted. ‘You’ve been graced with my presence for too long. Don’t screw up this gift of a renewed planet while I’m gone. Consider this a blessing from your favorite monk.’

Laughter rippled through the crowd, and some Vaelorii raised their hands in a mock benediction.

‘Sante, padre,’ Samira mocked.

Sax growled. ‘I’m not a -.’

‘We don’t care what your title is,’ Samira interjected. ‘What we care about is that we love you, Sax Sable, regardless of the rogue that you are.’

Sax smirked, but Kisan tagged something rare: moisture in his eyes as he turned away.

He bit his tongue, choosing instead to give a quick hug, throwing an arm on Sax’s shoulder as they made their way to the Cephei.

‘Tis what I hate about the business of people,’ the gruff shrouded man growled as they strode along. ‘You get torn from them just when you begin to love them.Fokk, it burns.’

In that moment, Kisan received the insight he’d often wondered about for years. His fellow Sableman was a giant freaking Sarisian cuddle bear. Who loved deep and hard and struggled to let go of those he’d lost.

Thus, his mask of cynicism and scoffing sardonic nature.

Kisan glanced at Sax and gave him a wry grin. ‘To quote you, blessed are those who love while enduring testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life promised to them.’

‘Fokkoff,’ the cowled man grunted as the Rider chuckled.

In minutes, the gunship’s drive was throbbing, and the sleek cruiser ascended, its engines reverberating in harmony as it broke through Thalassa’s atmosphere.

The two Sable men sat in the cockpit, the silence between them companionable.

The vast expanse of space stretched out before them, a field of stars broken only by the swirling blues and greens of the Pegasi cluster.

‘You’re quiet,’ Kisan said, glancing at his friend.

‘Just thinking,’ Sax replied, his eyes focused on the view. ‘About Orilia XIV. How it is now a transformed creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.’

‘Does this mean you’ll be back, given there’s a smart, attractive, and freakin’ personable woman waiting for you?’ Kisan added, the question in his voice unmistakable.

Sax huffed. ‘Nada, for my very nature rebels against it. My heart was made to wander far and wide, always remaining in the wilderness of the soul. Selah. She knows it too, but should we ever meet somewhere out here, then so be it.’

Kisan let out a rumbled chuckle. ‘Never understood it, but I respect it. Mirage, take us into hyperspace and then take over controls.’

‘Noted, bosskhan.’

Kisan turned to his mate. ‘A game of cards, my friend? This time I’ll whoop your ass.’

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