“And how many times did you say you were okay in the suit when you weren’t? How many times did you say this was going to be a piece of cake to Tyler before you closed the helmet—only it was hell out there? Do not lie to me right now.”

I stepped toward the screen. My skin was still glowing, and I didn’t care that it was giving away how mad I was. “Don’t you dare use that against me. Ever. I’m fine. I’ll keep being fine until my friends are here and we’re safe. Until that base and all the lucole and everything it stood for is gone. I’m fine!”

Lorne said something, and Declan leaned away from the camera, surrendering the argument. “Okay, Ami. If you say you’re fine, then you’re fine. You know your limits.”

I let out a long breath. I felt a little bad about fooling them, but I was determined enough. I’d make this work. “Is this okay with you, Rysden?” His name came stumbling out, and I wasn’t the only one wincing at the sound of it.

“Dad or Father, please. Not Rysden. I’m your father.” There was heartbreak on his face, but I couldn’t say the word no matter how much he wanted me to. I could think it in my head, but I didn’t feel it in my heart.

“I know… I…” I didn’t know how to explain it to him without feeling like a total jerk.

“It’s okay. I understand. But you need my approval for this?” my father asked.

I didn’t. My father was too far away to really stop me, but I didn’t want to start off our relationship badly if I didn’t have to. I gave him a small shake of my head. “But it’d be nice to have.”

“All right then, I’ll keep my mouth shut, but you’re going to have to run fast. From my limited knowledge about the base, it’s extremely protected. I’m speeding up. We’ll meet in the middle somewhere. Hopefully sooner than later, but Lorne—you’ll keep me apprised.”

“You know I will.” Lorne stood tall, held his hand over his heart, gave my father a small nod. “You’ve got my word on it.”

“Then let’s get this done and get back to Sel’Ani. I want to have a long talk with my daughter.”

I swallowed. “About?”

“Everything.” He tilted his head to the side as he studied me. “I missed it all. But also, about not calling me Father. We’re going to have to work on that.”

Man. I should’ve just made myself say the word, even if it felt wrong. “Okay.” It came out as a squeak.

He gave a nod, and the screen blinked back to just Declan.