Page 88 of Stars in Nova

‘We don’t have much time,’ she said, breaking the spell. ‘Our window whilst the Corilians change guard won’t stay open long.’

Kisan jerked his chin, his face unreadable. ‘Let’s move.’

Samira’s children and her aunt lingered at the exit of the cavern home, their small faces solemn, even sad at seeing them off.

While Samira said her goodbyes, Kisan waited outside at the edge of the glowing lake, hands folded over his chest, watching.

Malik ran to his mother first, his arms wrapping around her waist. ‘You’ll come back soon, right, mama?’ he asked, his voice muffled against her armor.

‘I will,’ she promised, kissing his dark curls. ‘When I do, you’ll have more stories to tell me.’

Liora stood in silence beside her brother, her gaze steady as she anticipated her turn.

When Samira knelt, Liora leaned in and hugged her close. ‘Be safe, mama,’ she said, quiet but firm.

‘I will, little one. I love you so much,’ Samira murmured, brushing her daughter’s hair.

When she straightened, her children turned, gazing at Kisan in expectation.

He raised a brow, tilted his head, and then a grin broke out over his chiseled features.

He raised a hand, and Malik hesitated. Then, he darted ahead, wrapping his arms around Kisan’s waist.

Liora followed, her limbs circling him as well.

The tall, burly Rider froze for a moment, unaccustomed to such unguarded fondness.

He glanced at Samira for guidance, and when she smiled, he let out a breath and placed a tentative hand on each child’s back.

‘Be brave, kids,’ he rasped, his timbre gruff with affection.

‘We already are,’ Liora whispered.

Misandra stepped forward next, her face lined with worry.

Samira’s aunt clasped her niece’s hands. ‘Be safe and come back to us. You’re the heart of this home and this world.’

Samira nodded, kissing the weathered cheek. ‘I’ll return, and we’ll win this war; you wait and see.’

The sound of water lapping against the stone shore filled the air, mingling with the distant hum of life in the cavern city.

The underground garrison bustled with purpose.

Sharin had instructions on how to prep their weapons systems for the new possible kinetics tech.

Samira’s unit was on rotation, on watch with others in their small, tight-knit army.

The Vaelorii knew the window of time they’d earned was short—two weeks, at best—before the cyborgs regrouped and struck again.

As Kisan and Samira strode toward the surface, the echo of their boots was the only sound in the cavernous corridors.

Both were alert, their senses tuned to the possibility of danger, but their thoughts lingered elsewhere.

Samira’s heart beat faster than it should, though she kept her face impassive.

She had always been proficient at compartmentalizing, at setting aside feelings that threatened to weaken her resolve.

However, Kisan was different—an unexpected force in her controlled life. She glanced at him, his aqua eyes scanning the shadows, his jaw set in a tic.

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