Page 144 of Stars in Nova

Silence fell.

‘Brother,’ Xion groaned.

Kisan turned to him. ‘You, of all people, know how difficult the transition from my former life has been. On Orilia, I’m not a monster. I’m not feared when I walk down the street. I’m treated like an equal, not an ogre. Also, I have a woman with kids; I can’t tear her away from her world. Savvy?’

His words echoed in the space.

Kainan leaned forward, his gaze searching. ‘I get it,kaka, and I bless it.’

‘So do I, even though I’ll fokkin’ miss you,’ Xion grunted, his eyes brighter than usual.

His words unleashed a flurry of well wishes, reluctant but heartfelt, from the rest of the group.

‘Promise us one thing,’ the Group’s bosskhanwent on. ‘Bring your family back here. Let them see where you’ve come from - not the city, us.’

Kisan nodded. ‘I will. However, healing takes time—for all of us.’

The Riders exchanged nods, their silent support palpable.

‘I’ll leave the Cephei in dock and catch a transport -.’

Kainan knifed up, lifting a hand to interrupt him. ‘Nada, you willfokkin’take back your ship to Orilia. It’s yours, and you’re forever a Rider, just one living elsewhere.’

Kisan shook his head, disbelieving. ‘Sante, bosskhan.’

‘No need to thank us. Your payments will still come through, and your home on the rock will still be waiting whenever you require it.’

Kisan sighed. ‘I am in awe of family then. One final tot before I leave?’

He reached for his bag and pulled out a rare decanter of Sybarite bourbon on the table. ‘Consider it a token of appreciation.’

‘Fokk, that’s one of the hardest to acquire and most valuable brews across all Pegasi,’ Kage called out. ‘I’ve always wondered who brewed it. Have a clue?’

Kisan gave him a half smile. ‘I just drink the stuff, not try to uncover its origins.’

The Riders laughed, pouring glasses and raising a toast to his new life.

Mirage, quiet and ever mindful, flicked an eye from the bottle to Kisan with a knowing look.

Later, after an impromptu farewell dinner with his brothers and following a neverending series of emotion-streaked goodbyes, Kisan crisscrossed his old apartment and packed his few belongings into a simple bag.

The bed chamber felt smaller than he remembered, its stark simplicity reflecting the life he was leaving behind.

As he folded the last of his clothes, his kinetic noids sensed a shift in the air to his rear.

He didn’t need to turn to know who stood at his six.

‘So, you’re off,’ she said, her tone nonchalant.

‘Naam,’ Kisan replied without looking up.

A pause fell between them for a moment.

‘Few, perhaps only I, know this, but that vintage of bourbon you shared with us was held back by its brewer. Stored in their secret cellar and only gifted to close friends.’

Kisan straightened and turned to face Mirage, her holographic form shimmering with otherworldly beauty. ‘Is that right?’

‘’Tis true. The only way you’d have gotten a bottle of one of the rarest liquors in all Pegasi today was if the owner gifted it to you.’

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