Page 101 of Shadows of Stardust

I hope that went well.

Sella hasn’t materialized to gently tell us how awful we did, so maybe that’s a good sign.

Overhead, the sky is a tapestry of stars. Even with as many worlds as I’ve had the opportunity to visit, I’ve never seen anything like it. Swirling streaks of stardust from the spiral arm of Eritin’s home galaxy, a million sparkling stars laid out in unfamiliar constellations, two moons shining with silver-white light, it’s like something out of a storybook.

This entire night feels like it’s out of a story.

Certainly, it’s not from my life.

My life includes hot, miserable deserts and years of military drudgery. My life doesn’t include nights like this. Nights of wonder and peace and safety.

I glance over at Zan.

He, too, has his eyes fixed on the stars. But like he can sense me looking at him, he turns to meet my gaze.

Did I think the night sky was incredible?

I couldn’t have, because it’s nothing compared to the stars in his eyes.

And maybe I’m still just buzzing from the date. Maybe I’m still lost in the fantasy of it all, because right now I can’t make myself remember it’s all an act, it’s not real, it’s going to end.

Zan takes my hand in his.

“Come for a walk with me?”

“A walk?”

He nods. “Yes, just… I could use a little air.”

We’ve had plenty ofairtonight, but I know what he means. If we head into the bungalow now…

A low, anticipatory heat blooms in my belly.

And it’s not just the thought of being behind closed doors with him, either. It’s the way he’s looking at me. LikeI’mthe starlight, like everything we just shared wasn’t only for the cameras.

“Come on,” he says softly, tugging me toward the surf.

He kicks off his shoes, and I do the same. We walk barefoot all the way down to where the waves break against the shore, sand and saltwater slipping cool and refreshing over our feet.

The night air, too, is cool. Not that Eritin ever gets anywhere nearcold, but the breeze is a welcome relief against skin that still feels too hot, too tight, buzzing with adrenaline.

We’re not the only ones out on the beach, but the contestants we pass seem mostly involved in their own little worlds or their own little dramas. Only one cam still tails us, and maybe that’s another good sign for how tonight went. Maybe they’ve gotten all they need from us.

It’s a relief. Some room to breathe and think. An unobserved moment to just be.

“Do you think we won over our audience?” I murmur, keeping my voice low in case the hover drifts closer.

Zan lets out a thoughtful hum, like he hadn’t really considered it. “I do. But that’s not my primary concern.”

With a glance at the hover, he tugs on my hand and turns me to face him.

“I’m more concerned about you.”

“Me? Why?”

“Because I know that couldn’t have been easy for you, sharing that much about your past.”

He’s not wrong.

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