“She never wanted it. That power,” Andi said. “It’s why she ran away. But I know her heart, no matter how much her mind may have changed beneath the compulsion. And I know Lira would never turn her back on the galaxy. If she had the power, if she were in my situation...she would take up the crown, and use it to destroy her enemies, in the name of protecting the place she loves most. Breck and Gilly, too.”

Dex laughed at that. “Gilly would likely use her power for evil.”

“No,” Andi said with a sad smile. “She’s good. Deep down, they’re all good, Dex. They’re the best three women I’ve ever known. And if they were here, they’d have me marching right back down that tunnel and demanding Klaren send me on a mission at once.”

“Then let’s do it,” Dex said, standing up from his ice stool. “Let’s go back down there to do exactly that.”

But Andi didn’t move from her seat. “Not now.”

Her eyes took on a look Dex had seen many times before. A scheming look. One he had learned to approach carefully, and with good reason.

Andi lifted a hand. “Bartender? Another round.” She glanced over at Dex. “For now, Dex...we drink.”

“I can’t argue with that,” he said, and swallowed his glass in one gulp.

CHAPTER 20

NOR

Nor couldn’t breathe.

She gasped for air, but nothing filled her lungs.

Slowly, ever so slowly, the chaos around her began to fade, as her guards sought out the remaining attackers. The red-helmeted shooter was dragged away, limp in their arms.

Nor knew she hadn’t been shot, felt the truth of it deep down. Her body was fine.

But Zahn...

“Nor,” he murmured.

Her vision began to clear, and Nor realized the weight on her chest was from him, his muscular body lying facedown across her middle. But his voice sounded all wrong, full of pain and weakness, and something Nor couldn’t quite place. It was as if he were already far away.

“Oh, Godstars,” one of the soldiers said—Nor couldn’t tell who it was. “Get the medical droids now.”

All she could think about was Zahn—and the wet warmth slowly leaching into her gown from his body above hers. She struggled to sit up, to see what was wrong with him, but she was trapped, unable to move.

Darai appeared above her, his face wavering as if he were behind a veil of fog. Nor realized she was crying, tears blurring her vision as the guards gently hoisted Zahn’s limp body off hers.