Though he speaks haltingly at first, conversation soon flows easily with Orion, as it always does. We talk about everything from how Nibiran food is going to change the Gaians’ lives, to what the Nibirans will think of the Primus worshippers, to where the Gaians will go after their time in Nibiru is up, which is still very much up in the air.

“Personally, I say we send them all to Titan as soon as we’re sure the planet is safe to settle on again,” I say. “Let them see how they like all that ice.” I glance out of the corner of my eye at the clock, and then do a double take. “Shit, I gotta go. I’m gonna be late for the ceremony.”

I stand, and he follows. The disappointment on his face makes my chest ache. Two guards are already heading over to collect him, but before I can second-guess myself, I pull him against me in a tight hug. “If the council doesn’t agree, I’ll break you out myself,” I whisper, more fiercely than my last promises.

“Hey, hey, no touching,” one of the guards says. If not for my status as a local hero, I’m sure they’d be prying me off already, but my reputation won’t get me too far. I give Orion’s shoulder a last squeeze as I pull back, searching his eyes. Finally, I see that spark of hope I’ve been waiting for. He dips his head at me before the guards lead him away.

As soon as they disappear through the security door, I walk as quickly as I can without alarming the guards escorting me, cursing under my breath. If I’m really late for this, my siblings will never let me hear the end of it. I tap my foot impatiently on my way back up the elevator, squirm my way through the exit pat-down by a guard, and race out of Ca Sineh and down the walkway to Vil Hava. The biggest island of Nibiru is even busier than usual today, with a huge crowd gathering around the landing harbor to watch the arrival of the “aliens” from Gaia. I shove my way through the crowd, hoping nobody notices that it’s the so-called hero who saved their planet elbowing past, and run for home.

By the time I arrive, Drom and Lyre are already sitting on the hoverboat and awaiting departure. Only Corvus is still standing on the deck, waiting for me.

“Get your ass in here already,” Drom yells as she sees me.

I run past Corvus and jump into the boat, drawing a squeak of complaint from Lyre as the vessel rocks wildly from side to side, water spraying over the edges.

“Come on,” I say, grinning up at my brother. “We’re gonna be late.”

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

The Arrival

Corvus