Page 87 of Sol Survivor

“If Meorri is without water, but Awayar has it in abundance, why not trade?”

Drafe grinned.“Why do you ask questions you know the answers to?”

She chuckled.“We need another resource we can barter with besides salt.”

The Ivoyan shuttle touched down.She scanned the empty compartment where Aehort should have been.The male had stayed behind on Ivoy, his life having changed after he was honored for his service.Depending on his choice, he was to be trained as a zi—a traveler, or a lo—a teacher.In addition, Ivoy agreed to improve their testing process.All Ivoyan children categorized as uz could earn a higher rank.

Still, she missed him.

The door slid open to sweltering air, bathing her.She sighed.The scent of hot sand greeted her, just like on her sol-farm.Drafe captured her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.As one, they strolled down the ramp, the wind whipping her hair.

Whispers began in the recesses of her mind and built until the cacophony slammed into her.Emotions surged, zigzagging as she endured thousands of memories, of joys and sorrows, victories and deaths.Every nerve sparked and tingled.She froze, allowing the sensations to flood her.Tears slipped free, the welcome too overwhelming for her to bear.Then there was peace, the gentle blanket that was Drafe, protecting her.

“Thank you,” she gasped.

“It is good to see you, Drafe Arrak.”An elderly Qaldreth stood before them, leaning on his walking stick.“You bring a gift to Meorri.”He reached out with a shaking hand to touch Vic’s arm.“Welcome, daughter.The sands whispered of your arrival.”

“Elder Bavu, may the sands be at your back and the suns on your face.”She bowed.

Bavu beamed.“You have chosen well, Drafe.”

Thank the symbiotes.I didn’t expect a welcoming committee.

Neither did I.Drafe grinned.

She raised her gaze to the people gathered to greet her.Some did not have the hair and eyes of the Meorri.I thought tribes did not intermingle.

Drafe scanned the crowd and jerked back.“This is an unexpected welcoming, Elder Bavu.”

He snorted and gestured with his walking stick.“They have come to meet yourvatia sahaar.”

“What?”she squeaked.“How did they know—?”

“Any returning Qaldreth shares his experiences from off-world.”Drafe crushed her against him.And if you do not close your mouth, I will take it as an invitation.

She wiggled her eyebrows.For what?

To kiss you.

She laughed.You don’t need an invitation ever.Help yourself.

He grinned and kissed her, plundering the depths of her mouth until breathing didn’t matter anymore.

“Enough.Mate later.”Bavu whacked Drafe’s thigh with his stick.“I have had these people on our doorstep for days.Oh, for a little peace.”He waddled past Larya and her mate, Kael.

Shyness struck Vic.She frowned.Never had she been nervous or self-conscious about meeting people, but Larya wasn’t just anyone.Her fingers twitched where they gripped Kael’s forearm.

Vic drew in a deep breath and stepped out of Drafe’s embrace.“Hello, sister.”

Larya’s smile was beautiful, bright, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.She sniffed, not letting them fall—to do so was wasteful.“Greetings, sister.”She lunged, engulfing Vic in a hug.Drafe laughed and hugged them both.Kael followed, embracing them all.

“Our family has grown, brother.”Larya smiled when the hug unraveled.She rubbed her belly in a sign as old as time.

Drafe gasped, then roared, whipping his sister into his arms.

“Careful now.”Kael threw out his hands, his brow knitting.

As soon as Drafe set Larya’s feet on the sand, Kael snatched her into his arms, his gaze vigilant should Drafe feel the need to hoist his pregnant mate into the air again.

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