Page 5 of Soros
“That’s not true. I’m deeply grateful that you’ve helped me care for Nerix. We all feel for you. What you’re going through is unbelievably tough, but you’ll find a new purpose in life, Star. You have to believe that.”
Star was quiet for a moment and then she used the back of her hand to dry her nose. “I know you think of my family as monsters, but my sister was my best friend. She protected me, and I love her dearly.”
She was right. To me, Star’s sister was a monster who had paid for pirates to kidnap and imprison Jade and Sival. She had even stolen their children and kept Star isolated. “Your sister did some horrible things. You understand that, right?”
“Yes, I understand, but it all feels unreal to me. For so long I followed Jade and Sival, thinking their love affair was part of an experiment that they had volunteered for.” Turning her head, she met my eyes. “How would you feel if you realized that your whole life was a lie?”
Lifting my hand, I stroked her back as her eyes teared up and she continued in a whispering voice. “I think about my mother a lot.”
“What about her?” I asked in a soft tone.
“My father always made it sound like he rescued her, but now I think he just bought her and raped her. To think that I’m a product of her pain and misery… it’s… it’s hard.”
Sucking my lips in, I thought about what to say. Everything sounded wrong in my head because how would I ever truly relate to the pain of finding out that you were most likely the product of rape? “It’s a lot for you to take in at once, Star. I don’t know what to tell you. I wish I had some magic words that could make everything better, but I don’t.”
Tightening her grip around her legs, she placed her head on her knees and stared out into space. “What’s going to happen to me now?”
“Hmm… What would you like to do?”
“I don’t know. Captain Lios said that I’ll be the richest person in the Universe, but I feel poor.”
“What do you mean?”
“I lost everything. My home, my parents, my siblings, my children, and the loyal friends who helped me in my home.”
“You mean your servants?”
She didn’t answer but closed her expressive blue eyes. “What good is financial wealth when I can’t buy back my family?”
Leaning in, I let my forehead touch the side of her long strawberry blonde hair. “Star, listen to me, sweetie. You are still young enough to start your own family. You can have children and a lot of friends who give your life purpose. Things are not over for you. I have a feeling that they’re just beginning.”
Taking my hand, Star leaned against me. “I don’t want to go back to Markatoria. I would be in danger there because everyone would know that I’m rich and without protection.”
“I agree. Markatoria is too dangerous. But with you being half human, you could easily get a permit to live on Earth.”
“The thing is…” Star inhaled sharply. “I’m useless. My father always said that my sister was competent and strong while I was weak and helpless.”
My tone hardened a little because of the anger I felt in the pit of my stomach. “Pardon my language but your father said a lot of shit, Star. He didn’t like the human side of you, but if you ask me that’s the best part. What he saw as weakness, I recognize as kindness. You can do so much more than you give yourself credit for.”
“What?” She blinked as she looked at me. “What can I do? I’m hopeless in the kitchen, I say the wrong things, and people tiptoe around me because they know I’m fragile.”
“I’m not tiptoeing around you,” I told her, but she didn’t believe me.
“Yes, you are. You’re comforting me because you feel bad for me.” She gave me a sideways glance before returning to look out of the window.
“Of course, I feel bad for you. What kind of person would I be if I didn’t? Your whole life fell apart and none of it was your fault.”
Star kept quiet.
With a resolute smile growing on my lips, I said, “But you know what… I’m going to help you rebuild a new life and this time you won’t be stuck in a tower, isolated and alone. You’re going to learn how to live a full life on Earth.”
We were still holding hands when she answered me with her eyebrows drawn close in a worried expression. “It sounds overwhelming and scary.”
“I know, but I’m here to teach you how everything works. You don’t have to do it alone, sweetie.”
There was a pleading look in her eyes, when Star confessed, “The hardest part are the nights. I’m used to sleeping with the children. I hate sleeping alone. That’s why I was happy when you asked me to go and sleep next to Nerix.”
“Oh… really?” My voice rose as I said the last word. “You don’t mind his nightmares and snoring?”
