Page 63 of The Sovereign: Part One
The panel swept closed, and I stood, unable to move until I heard the faint sound of the transport pulling away.
For the first time in a long time, I felt alone.
“Calyx,” I said, ascending the stairs.“Initiate the Hydrabay and infuse it with serenity serum to ensure optimal rest.I’ll shower and retire directly to bed.Notify me immediately of any communications from The Citadel, disregarding the nighttime do-not-disturb protocol.Also, did Bellam leave a message earlier?”
“Understood, Isara.Hydrabay has been activated as requested.Notifications from The Citadel will be delivered immediately, regardless of protocol.You have three messages and six missed calls from Bellam.”
I chuffed, amused.“I’ll listen to the messages tomorrow.Did you tell her I’d call her back in the morning?”
“I did—each time.She was quite persistent.”
“For Chiron’s sake, Bell,” I muttered, peeling off my clothes.“If she calls again before I fall asleep, put her through.”
“Acknowledged.”
Chapter Fifteen
The shift from deep sleep to waking felt like surfacing through warm water, the edges of a dream dissolving as consciousness took hold.I blinked up at the ceiling, the morning interface casting a golden hue over the room.Before I could move, Calyx’s voice filled the space.
“Good morning, Isara.The current time is 07:30, Monday, March 23.The temperature outside is a crisp eight degrees Celsius, with minimal cloud cover and optimal air quality.Today marks Day Three of your Vesture.Maxim has requested to be notified once you are ready for his arrival.”
A smile formed before my thoughts fully aligned.Maxim wanted to see me the moment I was ready.The warmth of it lingered as I stretched beneath the sheets, reliving the previous day in flickers of touch, conversation, and understanding.
My expression fell.
Calyx hadn’t mentioned any notifications from The Citadel.The realization crept in slowly, a mixture of relief and disbelief.I propped myself up on one elbow.“Calyx, confirm—there are no new messages from The Citadel?”
“Confirmed.No communications from The Citadel have been received.”
I exhaled, caught between gratitude and suspicion.Perhaps the infraction hadn’t been flagged.Perhaps we had managed to bend the rules without consequence.
“Would you like me to proceed with Bellam’s messages?”Calyx inquired.
“Yes, please.”
The interface phased in smoothly, and a moment later, Bellam’s face materialized in front of me—bright-eyed, radiant, the familiar warmth in her expression making me feel as though she were perched at the foot of my bed rather than speaking through a projection.
“Well?How did it go?”she asked, her tone lilting with curiosity.“And don’t you dare leave out details.”
The message ended, shifting immediately to the next.This time, Bellam’s expression had sharpened, her lips pressed together in faux annoyance.
“Isara, you’re seriously not calling me back until morning?Why?What could be more vital than updating your dearest, most devoted friend?Have I been cast aside, left to wither in the unbearable agony of suspense?”
“Oh, she’s absolutely been with Roan,” I murmured.
She sighed dramatically.“You’d better have a good reason.I have alotto tell you, so call me the second you get this.”
I smirked.“Roan.I knew it.”
“Calyx, call Bellam.”
The interface’s main frame was blank for a moment, then solidified into Bellam’s live projection.She answered immediately, her hair tousled, dark circles under her eyes, but her energy was unmistakable.
“Late night?”I asked, arching a brow.
She groaned, running a hand through her disheveled waves.“Very late, and you’ll never guess why.Roan got my linkcode.”
I straightened.“He called you last night?”
