“I only learned recently that my father tricked her into leaving Judaculla. He thought she’d have a better life outside of our world. And when Mom left, Dad sealed her out so she could never return. I remember watching my mother’s star that first night after she’d gone. It sounds crazy, but it gave me some comfort, staring up at it. As I was watching, it just sort of fell out of the sky. It wasn’t like a shooting star. It didn’t streak across the darkness like a comet with a fiery tail.” James hesitated, as if trying to remember every detail.

“Mom’s star was shining. So bright. Then it sort of dimmed, and it just fell. Like it had been nailed up there in the sky and the nail had been removed. Mom’s star plunged toward Earth. I lost it when it crashed into the horizon. I knew from that moment my mother wasn’t coming back to Judaculla.”

“But what if she could come back?” I asked.

James sat up. “If my mother ever returned, I’d do the same thing my dad did and run her off again. No. I’d have her take Dad back with her. Maybe I’d go with them myself, if there was a way. But it’s impossible.”

I smiled. “You said it was impossible for anyone to leave Judaculla. Your mom’s already done the impossible once. Don’t give up on seeing her again.”

“I don’t get it,” he said, resting on one elbow as he gazed into my eyes.

“Get what?” I asked.

“This…” He motioned between us. “You and me. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I barely know you, but it seems like I’ve always known you. Like I’ve only ever known you.”

James’s grey eyes were penetrating. I raised my hand to stroke his cheek, and he sighed at my touch. “We have always known each other.”

He took my hand in his, then kissed each fingertip before resting our hands on my belly. “Maybe you’re right,” he said, his eyebrows furrowed. He lay back down, and resumed studying the stars. “But it makes no sense. If you were my mate, I’d know it. I just would. We’re told at a very young age that once we dream of our mate, we’ll never want another. We’ll never even think of another girl. I can’t believe something that ingrained would be so easy for me to forget.

“Being here with you. Don’t get me wrong… it’s better than I ever thought it could be, but it’s not fair to you. I feel guilty being here with you. Feel guilty for wanting to be here with you. It’s like I’m betraying my mate.”