Page 58 of Scars & Starlight
“You said in the past?” she whispers. “What about now?”
My lips stretch into a wide smile that nothing can contain. “Now, my home is here.” I pat her chest, over her heart. “Now, my home is you.”
29
TARA
“It looks just like in your projection,” I tell Kiko, who’s perched on my shoulder, his head next to mine. We’re looking at Avaris, all three of its moons visible from this angle. The planet is a dark green, with lots of glowing neon clusters and rivers of light.
“Everything I show is a faithful representation,” the little robot replies. It almost sounds like he’s admonishing me for daring to question the quality of his information, and I giggle into my fist.
“What are those?” I ask my boys, pointing at shiny white arrays orbiting Avaris.
“Some are the planet’s defense systems,” Kai says calmly, his eyes as always on the various readings endlessly scrolling on the Talon’s screens. “Others are satellites for research, for global communication and long-distance communication through the QEA, then location services, media broadcast, and more.”
“So pretty much like Earth used to have,” I comment.
Kairen nods with a small smile. “Except our satellites also service extraplanetary colonies.”
“Maybe if we had a defense array, the Ghorvek wouldn’t haveoverpowered us so easily.” I grimace. “Then again, we’d have probably used it to kill each other long before they arrived.”
“Your military likely didn’t know until it was far too late anyway. But your predisposition to kill each other over arbitrary differences worries me.” He gives me an assessing look. “We might have to govern your people if they can’t live as one once the threat is gone.”
“I certainly wouldn’t hand us any planet-destroying weapons just yet,” I answer dryly.
The comms beep, and Kairen opens a channel to what seems to be some type of control flight tower manned by Avaren in uniforms.
“Welcome home, Your Highnesses,” a female with a soothing, husky voice greets.
I flush, but Kairen takes it in stride. “Thank you, Nireya. We’ll be heading directly to the palace. My family is expecting us.”
Nireya nods, her black hair with a cool orange gleam catching the light. “We have been informed,” she says. “An upkeep crew is ready for the Talon’s arrival.”
“Do all Avaren look like supermodels?” I ask my prince with a nervous chuckle.
His eyes flash before he replies. “Ah. Avaren have healthier lifestyles than humans, especially before the Ghorvek came to your planet. We also have nanites that repair imperfections.” His eyes shift to me for a moment before he focuses on the planet again. “You will notice scars disappearing, too.”
“Nanites are the gift that just keeps on giving,” I say with a grin.
We break through a layer of clouds, and my prince’s home world starts to take shape. I don’t know what to focus on first: all the softly glowing forests or the brighter spots from the waters. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, except for maybe in a video game.
I gasp when I see what looks like a colorful stingray sailing through the air. “Wow, your planet is so beautiful, Kai.”
“Our planet,” he corrects me, taking my hand into his and kissing my fingertips. I feel like giggling when Kiko coos in my ear inreaction.
A clear, shiny lake begins growing larger as we approach it, the giant mushrooms and odd-looking trees around it taking shape. Even the green-blue grass has a subtle glow, like millions of fireflies are hiding inside. On one edge of the lake sits a massive palace. Crystal spires stretch high into the sky, glowing under the aurora with echoing hues.
“That’s incredible,” I whisper, completely in awe of the structure.
Kiko beeps twice. “Avaris’ royal palace has stood for almost exactly three thousand cycles. That is two thousand nine hundred and seventy-seven human years.”
Kairen scoffs. “Yes, Mother is planning a big celebration in a couple of serals that I’m sure we’ll be expected at.”
“One seral is four of Earth’s weeks,” Kiko chimes in helpfully.
“Thank you, sweetheart,” I say to the little robot, but I’m not looking at either of them anymore. I’m too busy freaking out and poking at the hangnail on my middle finger.
Kairen’s hand covers mine, stopping my habitual self-mutilation. “What is it?” he asks softly.
