I follow her gaze to see President Leonis stepping out of the ship. When I glance at Shey again, her expression is tight and nervous. It’s strange to see her so strongly affected by the sight of her own mother, knowing that she’s been brave enough to sneak aboard a ship of criminals and stay upon a potentially doomed planet for the sake of her ideals. But I can’t pretend that I don’t understand. Facing down family is an entirely different beast.

“Hey, you can do this,” I murmur to her. Her cheeks flush, and she shoots me an embarrassed smile.

“I know it’s ridiculous to be scared, but…” She takes a deep breath. “She’ll never forgive me.”

“I get it.” I rub a thumb over her hand, thinking of Momma, and all the things I never got to hear from her. “But she’s a fool if she’s not proud of you. And it doesn’t matter what she thinks. You did good. You saved people. You know that, right?”

She smiles, squeezes my hand, and releases it.

“I do,” she says with a tilt of her chin, summoning up her confidence once more. “I’m going to go talk to her before the peacekeepers come, and find my father.” She swallows hard as she says it, but shows no other reaction. We both know what fate awaits the president here. I can’t imagine what complicated feelings Shey is experiencing right now. She takes a step forward, but hesitates, glancing back at me. “Meet me on the beach in half an hour?”

My pulse stutters. I can’t seem to manage a response, but she doesn’t wait for one before slipping through the crowd to face her mother.

“Ah, stars,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair and trying to calm my racing heart. I could really use a drink right now, but I’ve been doing my best to avoid being inebriated in front of my family. They have enough to worry about without realizing I still haven’t quite shaken off that habit.

I glance around, wondering if anyone would notice if I wandered off to find some alcohol, and whether or not I’d be back in time to meet Pol as he comes out of the ship. None of the common citizens have emerged yet. If I run now, maybe—

“Captain Kaiser.”