Page 100 of New World

Belonging.

Roanna motioned for a large cloth-covered frame to be unveiled. A group of Gallant soldiers pulled the covering away to reveal an image—one so familiar, yet so impossible that the entire room fell silent.

A patch from the Gliese was embedded at the base of the image, but what captured everyone’s attention was the etched depiction of five figures standing together, their Gallant Staffs raised high.

A perfect, ancient replica of the very people standing before them.

Roan released a soft curse, eyes widening.

His grandmother bowed her head at him, a knowing smile curving her lips.

Sergi leaned in, grinning. "I don’t know about you, but I find it a little unsettling when a prophecy gets it right."

Ash nodded solemnly. "Maybe we missed a time-travel subplot. Would that be weirder than an accurate psychic? I think it’d be weirder."

Julia rolled her eyes. "No one is getting into a time machine, Ash."

“I was just saying! Weirder could be good.“

La’Rue elbowed Kella. "He’s your problem now."

Kella grinned. "I know. Isn’t it great?"

Dorane’s hand tightened around Mei’s, his warmth anchoring her.

"This was always meant to be," Roanna murmured, as if speaking to herself. She turned back to them, nodding deeply. "And now, the future belongs to you."

A thunderous applause rose in the hall, but Mei hardly heard it.

She looked at Dorane and he looked at her, a silent understanding passing between them.

They had won.

They were free.

And as Dorane pulled Mei into his arms and captured her lips, she knew with certainty that at long last, she was home.

Time seemed to fade as the universe stretched before them, endless and filled with wonder. Dorane’s starship glided effortlessly through the void, heading back to Cryon II.

In the quiet sanctuary of their private cabin, Mei sat curled up against Dorane, a warm blanket draped over her shoulders and his arms wrapped around her waist. Their bodies were bare and tangled, skin warm from the lingering embers of their lovemaking, their breaths steady.

Through the viewport, stars pulsed softly, distant and unknowable, yet Mei had never felt so certain of where she belonged.

Dorane let out a contented sigh, shifting so he could look at her. "You’re thinking too much."

Mei smirked. "I thought you liked my thinking."

"I do." His fingers traced lazy patterns on her bare shoulder. "But not when it pulls you away from me."

She tilted her head back, studying his face. The battle-worn edges were still there, the grief of the past still lingering, but it no longer consumed him.

"Do you ever miss it?" he asked suddenly.

"Miss what?"

"Your world. The one you left behind."

Mei leaned in, pressing her lips to his, slow and deep, pouring everything she felt into him.

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