"No, he was not a small man," I mention, a smile pulling at my lips as I remember how easily Nikki could carry me in his arms—even with his busted knee. Although he hated the outside world, he'd always had a fondness for physical exercise, and he installed a gym in every home we ever owned. We'd sometimes work out together, even though I was not the best at it. But I would just love to watch him, sometimes lying on a yoga mat with a book, spying on him as he was doing his sets.

When he was shot in the knee, he was devastated to find that he couldn't move as well as he used to, but he didn't let that keep him back. He was always a fighter. And even in his last days, all he was thinking was how to fight more, harder—how to go to war with himself and his own psyche. My eyes are moist as I bring the back of my hand to wipe the tears clinging to my lashes.

In the beginning, when the grief had been too strong—too blinding—I hadn't been able to see anything other than the pain in my soul. Now, though, I can look back and be proud of my husband and everything he did.

Four more trials, and I'll see him again.

And by God I will not give up. I'll see this through to the end and I'll get my wish. If only his soul were still around...

I sigh deeply at the thought.

Ze's fingers dig into his legs, his gaze still forward. He doesn't probe further about Nikki, and I don't say anything more, the silence offering a comforting embrace.

The plane slowly fills up, more people coming in. Ze is alert and curious as he watches everyone, probably taking note of how other people look since it doesn't seem that he's been around too many humans before.

"Is your species so much more different than humans?" I ask.

"Of course. We are much stronger," he replies smoothly—not that I expected him to say anything different.

"Then are all men similar in size to you and Cer? Thea isn't that much taller than me, so I'm assuming not all of you are giants."

"No."

"No? That's it?" I raise my brows at him.

He narrows his eyes at me.

"You harpies are quite odd," I muse, watching him closely.

"H-harpies?" He blinks, his eyes wide with shock.

"Well, that's what you are, no?" I smile sweetly.

"That is...correct." He swallows uncomfortably, probably finding it hard to keep up the lie when the mere notion of it offends his superior sensibilities. Yet this just confirmed my theory.