Page 108 of Stars on Fire

Selene squeezed his hand tightly before letting go.

‘Thank you, everyone,’ she said through the thunderous clapping reverberating across the room.

With Kainan’s hand helping her down, she readied to step off the dais when L’Ogano Rai stepped forward. The former head of the Interior Ministry and the man she’d now named as Deputy Prime judicially blocked her descent.

‘Back to the dais, Excellency,’ the older man said gently.

Surprised, she obeyed. She returned to where L’Ogano beckoned, still clutching onto Kainan’s arm.

‘There are two more awards to give,’ L’Ogano announced to the room.

Selene blinked, unsure of what was happening.

L’Ogano continued, undeterred. ‘We would like to honour our former Prime, His Excellency Kei’Lano Munene III and our True Prime, Her Excellency Selena Munene, for their selfless service to this planet.’

Selene’s knees give way. She felt Kainan step forward to take hold of her waist. She leaned heavily against him, seeking his support.

From a box held by Ines, the Deputy Prime took an intricate medal hanging on a velvet cord and draped it around Selene’s neck.

‘This is for you. The Dunia Medal of Honour, for distinguishing yourself with gallantry in bravery, sacrifice and action during the recent insurrection.’

Selene’s tears flowed, and she placed a hand on her chest to try and calm herself.

He then took a purple box and opened it. Inside was the highest medal one could receive in all of Dunia—the Purple Bravestone.

‘And this is for your father,’ L’Ogano intoned. ‘Today, his memory lives on in the lives he served. In the legend of his sacrifice and the hearts of his family that he left behind. We know that no award could ever make up for the loss of your father and for not having him here today. Still, I hope today you take some pride and comfort in knowing his bravery, sacrifice, and service are receiving the full recognition they deserve.’

Tears fell from Selene’s eyes as she accepted the award, clutching it tightly in her hand.

She barely heard the thunderous applause from the assembled guests, barely acknowledged the standing ovation and barely registered the roar of the crowds outside. All she heard was her father’s voice whispering to her from the skies, from where he looked down at her.

‘Job well done.’

15

An Unfathomable Anomaly

Selene

She stepped off the dais at the banquet hall of Parliament House and into a swarm of people congratulating her.

She felt Kainan’s hand slip away from hers until their connection broke off, pulled apart by the crowd around her. She instantly missed his presence, smiling through moisture-laden eyes as the guests’ adulation swamped her.

When the rush abated, she looked around for him, but no matter how much she searched the vast room, it was clear he wasn’t in it. He was gone.

Rina further confirmed her suspicions as Selene approached her with a question on her face. ‘The Sable Riders left soon after the awards ceremony,’ she told her friend, watching her closely.

‘Are they still on Dunia?’

Rina shrugged. ‘I don’t have eyes on them, but my sec team tells me they saw their corvettes launch and head for orbit minutes ago.’

Selene’s heart fell. ‘He said he’d wait,’ she whispered.

Rina’s touched her friend’s sleeve. ‘Oh, honey.’

Selene took a sharp breath. ‘That’s fine. He probably has more important things to do.’

Rina gave her friend a sad smile. ‘You OK?’

---