“You did not save me, Valen,” she said. “You just stole from me the only person I have ever loved.”

The words hit him like a dagger to the chest.

“You don’t mean that,” Valen whispered. “Nor, please. I’m your brother. I love you.” A sob escaped him against his will. “I’m sorry. Please, please forgive me.”

“Sorry won’t bring him back,” Nor said flatly.

Then she turned and walked away, leaving him alone on the docking bay floor.

Valen wasn’t sure how long he stayed there for, trapped in anguish. It could have been mere moments, or hours. Years, perhaps.

Darai appeared before him, offering him a pale hand. “You did well, reacting so quickly during the attack,” he said reassuringly. “She will come around in time, and see that.”

Valen took his hand, letting the old man help him to his feet. Then he groaned as pain lanced through his skull. His nostrils were dripping blood again, a slow leak that spread the taste of metal across his lips and tongue.

“Still,” Darai mused. “Your compulsion failed us all during the frenzy. Perhaps you aren’t as strong as I thought you were, if you’re already crumbling under the pressure of this mission.” He passed Valen a handkerchief. “I suggest you escape to your mind for a while, princeling. Clean yourself up, and do whatever you can to compel the galaxy to calmness after today’s bloody display. Because when the queen is done mourning...she will pick herself back up. And she will need your power to complete the mission. Of that, I am certain.”

Valen blinked at him, Darai’s words leaving him cold and hopeless. “I’ve always hated you, Uncle,” he said tiredly. “I wish it had been you on the other side of that bullet. Not Zahn.”

He could scarcely see through the specks rapidly filling his vision. He needed to lie down. To sleep, and find solace in the darkness.

So he turned away from a suddenly silent Darai, calling forth one of the med droids who still waited patiently on the edge of the docking bay. The little droid wheeled over a floating chair, and Valen fell into it, weariness clinging to him like a second skin as he wiped the blood from beneath his nostrils.

CHAPTER 22

ANDI

Andi’s vision was swimming when a familiar face walked into the pub. From across the dim room, she could see swirling tattoos gliding across the newcomer’s skin, which briefly made her wonder if she’d had one drink too many.

Soyina nudged aside a few patrons who blocked her way as she approached. The icy look one Soleran man shot her was colder than his pallor, but Soyina just gave him a wink before sidling up beside an oblivious Dex, jarring him with a wicked slap on the back.

“Enjoying yourselves, it seems,” she commented, leaning against Dex with one arm slung around his shoulder.