Pacing the hallway outside Wylie’s apartment, I waited for her to meet me. I hadn’t seen her all day. I wish I wasn’t taking her to my parents’ party—I’d much rather be somewhere private—but at least I’d be near her, could touch her hand, and see her face.
When I heard her and Missy’s voices near the door, I slipped into the lift and waited. A moment later, I received a voice call through my palm device, which transmitted voice through my comm.
“Sorry I took so long—I hope I’m not too late,” Wylie said. She sounded nervous but excited too.
“You didn’t take too long at all,” I told her. “Our timing will be perfect.”
“Okay, well. I sure hope so! Where should we meet?” Her voice came from outside the lift door and into my head.
“Meet me up there?” I asked. She paused. I imagined her disappointment but hoped she would forgive me for teasing her when she found me here.
“Okay,” she said. The lift door opened.
I’d planned to say something charming and pull her into my arms, but I didn’t do either of those things. I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak—couldn’t think.
Wylie was . . . everything.
She’d always been beautiful to me—more than beautiful. But now . . . Wow. The turquoise gown was the perfect complement to her warm, brown skin, and while it didn’t cling to her, it showed off her generous figure. My gaze wandered down, then up, snagging on the gleaming clip, momentarily capturing some of her wild hair.
I hadn’t realized either of us had moved, but when I lifted my hand to trace her cheek and exposed ear, she was right there within my reach. “You are extraordinary,” I breathed as my gaze found hers. Her large brown eyes sparkled as she held my gaze, and I was speechless once more.
“You’re here,” she said in that same breathless tone I’d just used.
I kissed her.
Her cheek was warm and impossibly soft beneath my fingers, and when our bodies touched, all of my muscles tensed. I wanted to crush her to me. To deepen the kiss, to drive my hands into her hair.
Instead, I pulled back and rested my forehead on hers. “I can’t wait until I can kiss you any time I want.”
“Me too,” she said.
I’m sure she didn’t know how much those two paltry words wrecked me. It became a genuine struggle to keep my hands from roaming over her body, to keep from exploring her mouth with my tongue.
I took her hand and stepped back, pulling her all the way into the lift. With a thought, I commanded the lift to take us to the highest floor while I drank in Wylie’s beauty.
“Stop,” she finally said, looking away in that way she sometimes did. I loved it when her cheeks got that glow, like dark cherries.
“No,” I said. “I never want to stop admiring your beauty and desiring you.”
Her eyes flashed to mine, and I grinned. I’d never spoken to her like this or about these things, but we’d be bonded in just three days. She might as well know how much I wanted to be with her—not just physically, but in every way. I couldn’t wait to share all of myself with her and to learn all there was to know about her.
She sank against me, and I wrapped an arm around her, holding her close for the few seconds before the lift arrived at the designated floor.
The top floor was unlike the previous ones in that it was one enormous suite, and the lift deposited us in view of everyone. I’d heard the noise of a small gathering before the door opened, but when it did, and Wylie and I stepped out, the room fell silent.
Wylie’s hand squeezed around mine, so I pulled her close and tucked her hand into the crook of my arm. How I wished I could ease her tension.
Mother was the first to react. She covered her mouth with both hands, then dropped them to reveal a broad smile. “Wylie, Finn!” She strode toward us and Father did the same, coming from another part of the suite.
Mother went to Wylie first and kissed her on the cheek. I squeezed her hand when she stared, dumbfounded at Mother’s action—it had surprised me too. That she kissed Wylie showed everyone present that she was one of us, that she was family.
Mother looked at me just as Father joined us. I love you, she said in my mind. You look so happy.
I am, I affirmed. “Thank you for the warm welcome, Mother, Father.” In my periphery, I saw Father had taken Wylie’s other hand and held it a moment, which was still a significant show of approval.
“Friends,” Father said, lifting both his arms. “You all know Dì èr Finn, but let me now introduce his preferido, the soon-to-be Dì èr Wylie.”
Wylie’s jerk of surprise mirrored my own. Father had essentially just called Wylie a part of the family as if the bonding was a formality. His announcement was unprecedented.
The guests must have felt the weight of his statement as well, for there was another pregnant pause before someone began clapping. Before long, they were all clapping, cheering, and flicking their glasses to make them sing.
“Thank you for coming, my dear,” Father said quietly to Wylie. He led us forward so we could meet his guests personally.
“You are exceptionally gorgeous,” Mother said, leaning in front of me to pat Wylie’s hand as it rested on my arm. “Enjoy yourselves.” As she straightened, I caught the whiff of something bitter in her wake. Strange because it wasn’t a pleasant scent.
We approached the first group, and I was happy to see Captain Valesquez and his partner, Kinney Brahmin, and his daughter Anya . . . less pleased to see Dartmouth, his wife Elise, and Laila. I’d seen her only in passing since choosing Wiley, and we hadn’t talked yet. I knew I didn’t owe her an apology, but I hadn’t meant to hurt her. From the tension radiating from the group, now wasn’t the best time, either.
The group’s conversation lulled as we approached. I squeezed Wylie’s hand as much for my comfort as for hers, and we joined the group. I engaged Captain Valesquez in a discussion about landing zones for the rest of the fleet. Wylie and the others joined the conversation and despite our history, everyone stayed civil, and soon enough, we were able to move on.
With each group, Wylie grew more confident until I sensed she no longer needed me to hold onto her so tightly. I released her arm and placed my hand on the small of her back instead. I couldn’t be near her and not want to touch her.
Eventually, I got us both some food, and we found a quiet spot to regroup. Mother sat nearby, part of a group having an animated discussion about the wildlife on Lux. There was something off about her tonight, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
What did you say to Laila? I asked while we ate.
Wylie snorted, drawing the attention of one or two of Mother’s guests. Um, she hedged. I’m not sure I should say.
I nudged her with my shoulder. Of course you should.
She cut a glance at me, and I was ready—I flashed her my most handsome smile. She rolled her eyes, but sighed, telling me I had won. Well, I told her that with me as your partner, the caste system falls apart. That means she can be with Birch.
“What?”
Mother and all her guests looked at us. “Is everything all right, darling?”
I cleared my throat and squeaked, “Yes, Mother.” To Wylie, I said, Birch? What in all the worlds?
Wylie chuckled softly. She expected to marry you, but I saw a few things over the years that made me think you weren’t her first choice. I took a chance—and I was right. She grinned. I promised to help in her bid for Birch, and in return, she promised to talk to her parents and quit trying to make things difficult for us.
Really?
She shrugged. I’m choosing to trust her, so . . . yes.
We fell silent while I processed this revelation.
After a time, Mother’s guests dispersed, so Wylie and I joined her.
“You are spectacular, my dear,” she told Wylie. “You picked up all the social nuances like you have been playing this game your whole life.”
Wylie smiled, and I knew Mother’s words meant a great deal to her.
“I can’t imagine ever being as graceful at it as you, Prem’yera,” Wylie said.
“Of course not—nor should you.” Mother placed a hand on Wylie’s arm, revealing tiny white dots scattered over the back of each hand. I’d never seen them before. “You will not be Serantha. The people do not need another Serantha; they need you, Wylie. You are exactly what our people need.”
I beamed at my mother and my preferido. My soon-to-be wife.
“Please, excuse me,” Mother said. She stood abruptly, knocking into Wylie as she rushed toward the far side of the open room. Her Servant, Archibald, opened a door, and they both disappeared inside. I’d never seen Mother abandon her duties in such a way.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice Father approach. He gave Wylie a smile that felt almost . . . predatory.
“I heard you explored an unsanctioned area today, Preferido.”
“Yes,” Wylie said. “I discovered more than rocks, though.”
“Please. Tell me about it.” He seemed coiled tightly—like he might spring forward and strike without warning.
I stepped up beside Wylie and put my hand on the small of her back. She hadn’t spoken out of turn, and part of me admired her for not backing down before Father’s intimidating figure. The other part—a much bigger part—didn’t want to give Father a chance to crush her spirit.
“I’m sure you know about this, but it surprised me to learn that a terrible illness has been running through the settlers.”
“Indeed,” Father said.
“I think you are wise not to make a public statement about it just yet, especially if you haven’t found a cure.”
Father’s stern expression softened, and his gaze flicked to the room where Mother had gone. “It seems you know me well.” He lifted his eyes to mine. “Perhaps I was wrong in my earlier statement.”
I inched Wylie closer to me as I thought about everything he’d said. Which part, specifically, was he referring to?
“I also learned that people with a possible connection to the rebellion are being held on ship.” She paused, but Father kept his slight smile in place. “Though there must be another reason for their detention since there is no rebellion.”
A muscle in Father’s jaw began to tick as he regarded Wylie with narrowed eyes.
A frisson of dread skated up my spine, and my stomach churned. What in the world had Birch gotten her into?
“Please. Tell me what you think.”
At this, Wylie’s stiff posture relaxed, and she let out a light, breathy laugh. “Oh, I wouldn’t dare, Prem’yera. I don’t envy the shoulders that have to carry such a heavy burden.”
He studied her, clearly unsure of what to make of her. “Tomorrow, after your bonding, contact Dartmouth Kshatriya. He will be eager to hear of what you discovered at the cliffs.”
“Of course,” Wylie said with one of her winning smiles. Father didn’t seem to notice. “What can we do to help with the other things?” She wrapped her hand around mine, but I couldn’t tell if she did for her benefit or mine.
Father rocked back on his heels. “They are both sticky subjects, but as you intimated, we are addressing them.”
Truly? Then why didn’t I know a thing about any of this?
Captain Valesquez approached and spoke quietly to Father, after which he said, “Excuse me,” and walked away.
Wy and I were alone at last.
You were amazing, I told her as I wrapped my arms around her, drawing her against me. And a little terrifying.
Wylie chuckled. I just imagined I was talking to Amondy. She’s scarier than your dad.
I barked out a laugh and squeezed her. Like I said. Amazing.
“I need you to tell me about those things you told Father,” I said aloud as I noticed a couple of guests glance our way. “Especially the illness. Neohumans— Mother, Father, and myself—shouldn’t succumb to illnesses because our nanites neutralize the nucleic acids. But Mother—”
She curled her fingers around mine and led me around to the other side of the party, away from most of the guests. “Your mother’s sick?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but as I saw the regret and fear written on Wylie’s face, I shut it. I could only nod.
She stepped in closer, so I slipped my arm around her waist and leaned down until my forehead rested on hers.
People are dying, Finn.
She told me more about Willow and her daughter, Fallon. Of the other people in the market coughing.
Did she have white spots on her hands? Fallon?
Wylie thought a moment, then shook her head.
She sank against me, and I held her close. Even without all the nuances of true mindspeak, I knew Wylie was worried. And afraid.
I held her as long as I thought I could get away with, then gently set her away. “We’d better get back.” With her hand in mine, I led her back toward the main gathering. She tugged me to a stop before we joined the guests.
“Why did you ask about white spots?”
I shook my head. “Never mind. Thank you for telling me, love.” I kissed her, just above her exposed ear. When I pulled back, she wore a soft expression and her eyes shone. “What?” My voice cracked a little.
“You called me ‘love.’” She held my gaze—stars, she held all of me—then her soft lips slowly spread into a wide, wide grin.
Of course, I grinned right back.