“I’m nervous,” she whispers. Her hand is warm, her mouth so close that her breath on my skin makes me shiver. Which is weird, given that we haven’t spoken in weeks and are currently surrounded by old people in robes, but not weird enough that I plan on pulling away anytime soon. Sad as it is, I’m eager for as much time with Shey as I can steal—especially given that we’re about to face down her powerful mother, who must hate me even more than the last time we met. Then again, I’m not too nervous about it, knowing the peacekeepers intend to take her in the moment she steps away from the crowd. I know Corvus wants a chance to confront her, but personally, I’m hoping to watch from afar. I’ve had enough of dealing with Leonis.

“About which part? The meeting, or…?” I ask, and she shoots me an annoyed look.

“The meeting. The rest pales in comparison. Though I can’t believe my mother traveled over in a Primus ship.” She huffs quietly. “She did warn the council—a few days ago, when it was too late to say no. They agreed, as long as the ship returns to Gaia once everyone is here, but still… it’s not a good start.”

“Yeah, that thing is incredibly creepy,” I say, eyeing the ship. I can’t fight the impression that it will come to life and swallow us at any moment.

“I’m not sure why she’s so insistent on making everything more difficult. I just want…” She pauses and takes a deep breath. “I want this to go well. A visit of this scope between planets is unprecedented. History in the making. And if it goes smoothly…”

“It could change everything,” I say, understanding.

She nods. “It could pave a new path for our system’s future.” Her voice is so small and so full of hope that I only resist pulling her against me because of a half-curious, half-disapproving glance from a councilman to my right. I settle for squeezing Shey’s hand as the ramp of the alien ship opens and the Gaian officials emerge.

I’m not close enough to get a good look at the ship, which I can’t help but be grateful for. Even from a distance, the alien craft freaks me out as much as those Primus statues back on Gaia. I shudder as a wave of air from the ship reaches me, oddly warm and moist like an exhaled breath. The one reason I manage not to physically recoil from the ship is that Shey’s grip on my hand holds me at her side.