Page 107 of Between Earth and Eternity
You are the light that is blinding me
You’re the anchor that I tied to my brain
’Cause when it feels like I’m lost at sea
You’re the song I sing again and again
All the time, all the time, I think of you all the time
“The Anchor,” Bastille
Iagreed to meet Vallen back at his suite the following morning, but I had an inclination that the surprise he had in storemight not be worth getting too excited over. There had been a glint in his eye that had seemed a bit too mischievous.
I hardly got a wink of sleep, my mind a hive of excited and anxious buzzing. Ori was already fast asleep when I returned to our suite, which was disappointing because I was hoping to catch her before the night was over to hear how the rest of the evening played out. I feel guilty that I tapped out so early.
How am I going to explain all of this to her? Should I? I didn’t think to ask Vallen about the complications of sharing what I now know, but I have to tell her at some point. My vague explanations and reasons won’t work this time, and she deserves to know after everything she has done for me. I know her loyalty runs deep, that she won’t tell a soul if I ask her not to.
I wonder when or if I’ll be able to tell my family about Nova if we ever get them off Earth. They most likely won’t believe me. But I’d like to think they would be proud of me. I fumble with the charm on my wrist and stare up at the ceiling, playing out how the conversation will go.
“What have you gotten yourself into this time, San Fran?Elliot’s charismatic voice would be full of sunshine.
“I took your advice, of course,”I’d say back.
“I’m not sure I meant to involve yourself in a secret rebel group to overthrow Alister Mannox and his diabolical plan to take over the galaxy, but sure, why not.”
I’d say something snarky back, and he would flick the brim of my hat.
I go for a run and come back to find Ori, already two coffee cups in, sitting at the kitchen island.
“Where were you last night? You weren’t here when I got back from the gala. I was worried.”
“Good morning to you too,” I say, roaming the cupboards for a mug.
“Nope. No small talk,” she says. Her grave tone catches me off guard.
“I’m sorry. It was a . . . crazy night, to say the least,” I start. She stands with her hand on her hips, waiting. “I should have told you I was out.” She still says nothing, eyebrows raised. “And I was fine.” I hesitate. “I was with Vallen.”
Somehow, her eyebrows reach even higher up her forehead. “Are you ever going to tell me what is really going on with you two? You clearly don’t hate him anymore.” She sinks back into her chair, defeated.
“To be honest, everything I thought I knew about him was wrong. I’ve changed my mind about him. In more ways than one.”
She tilts her head. “Like what?”
Literally everything. I purse my lips.
“Let me guess. You can’t tell me. Not yet.” She stands, heading for her room.
“Ori. Please,” I plead, following her.
“It’s fine, Sky. I was hoping that by now you’d be honest. I know you’ve been keeping things from me, but I gave you your space. This journey hasn’t been easy on you. But there’s only so much I am willing to give while receiving nothing in return.” The door to her room slides open, and she plops down on her bed to face the window.
“I want to tell you everything. Trust me.”
I’ve had this conversation before, except I was in her shoes. I know how she feels, and I hate that I’m the one doing it to her. I despised the feeling so much that I didn’t rest until I had answers.
“I thought we were close, but maybe I was wrong,” she says softly, staring off into the stars. Her words are eerily similar to what I told Payson. But I’m not going to offer her an ultimatum.Payson wanted something I couldn’t give him, but Ori has already given more than I deserve and then some.
“Listen. What I know is dangerous, so dangerous that it puts my life in jeopardy, and if you knew what I’ve come to learn, yours would be too.”
