“Why have you come to me today, acting as if we are enemies?” Nor demanded. “Was it not you who told me to complete the mission you started?” Nor would never forget those final, parting words her mother had sent down to her from the sky while Nor burned, crushed by the rubble of their old Xen Pterran palace.

“Exonia is not what you believe it to be,” Klaren said. “I have little time to explain everything to you, but you must know, Nor. I was wrong before.”

“She lies,” Darai hissed. “Take her hostage! You have the upper hand. You have Androma Racella in your grasp! Now is the time to strike and end this war.”

“You take Androma Racella, and you will never hear the truth,” Klaren said, placing her armored hand upon Androma’s shoulder and squeezing tight. “You mark my words on that, daughter.”

Nor felt like she was losing control.

She saw it happening, felt it within herself. She tried to rein it back in, to regain her equilibrium. Her mother had come to talk. If that was what she wanted, then Nor would play her little game. It would buy her time to come up with a new plan.

“It’s been years, Klaren,” Nor said. “You have had years to come to me, to show me that you were alive and well. That last message you sent to me was about saving our home. Our home, the very place that birthed you, that gave you your power. You told me about Valen’s existence, and how we could work together to finish what you failed to do. And we’ve nearly done it, together.”

Nor looked at Valen, who had yet to say a word.

He’d never known their mother, never had a relationship with her the way Nor had. He’d been just an infant when Cyprian had cast her out in that final battle of the Cataclysm.

Still, she’d expected some response from him in light of seeing his mother for the very first time. But Valen only stood at Nor’s other side, staring ahead, blood seeping from his nostrils as he swayed, looking ready to fall.

Valen, Nor called. But the door between their minds was still closed.

He’d made his decision. He’d shut her out, and he was ready to enter the satellite. To sacrifice himself.

Perhaps he was accepting that all fully now. Perhaps he was in shock that he was seeing his real mother for the first time now, at the end of his time.

Either a blessing from the Godstars, or a curse.

Nor wasn’t sure which.