How am I supposed to tell my mothers?

They would find her behavior worrisome and out of character at best. She hoped they didn’t imagine that she had been abducted by her artist lover, but there would certainly be unanswered questions when they realized she’d slipped off-world through irregular means. There was nothing she could do about that. While she regretted that her mothers might fret, they had a full life without her.

“You can’t sleep. I can’t either. Shall I sing to you?”

To her surprise, he copied the lullaby she had offered on his first night, perfect down to the pitch. Qalu didn’t expect it to work—her mind was too full—but the next thing she knew, Aevi was bouncing on her chest. “First light, time to go!”

Fortunately, the Pherzul didn’t ask awkward questions about why they were sleeping together, for she had no easy answers. Aevi raced to her food dispenser, likely ravenous after a long night at play. Qalu got up and Helix did the same.

“You slept with me,” he said, sounding entirely too pleased.

“Don’t say it that way.” A prickle of embarrassment washed over her.

“Why not? It’s correct. And I’m so glad that I could finally do something for you. It’s good not to feel—” He stopped, as if he knew she wouldn’t like what he was about to say.

Worthless? Qalu understood that he was struggling, unable to do things as he once had, but there was no time to pursue the subject. They went about their morning routine for what might be the last time. There was no telling if she’d ever be allowed to return, now that she’d joined the resistance. Life would be different from now on; maybe she couldn’t return to Tiralan.

In the end, she decided to leave a holo message for her family on a timer, one that would be sent well after they had gone. That way, there would be no question of her mothers tracking her down. She’d almost rather be apprehended by the bounty hunter than be snatched by Inatol and dragged back in disgrace.

“Helix has asked me to travel with him,” she said, after setting the terminal to record. “I didn’t want to deal with dramatics and questions, so we’re going away together. My choices have always been unconventional, so I suppose it makes sense that this one would be as well. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be out of a touch for a while, as he’s yearning to paint some remote places and I want to be with him. It’s what you wanted, yes? For me to find someone I love. You cannot fault me for doing so, even if my ways are different than yours. Be well. And thank you for being the best mothers I could’ve had.”