AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Drift pushed a lock of it behind her left ear. “Our kind are…durable. And my brethren’s lifespan ended in less than a heartbeat.”
A Cancri would die faster than that. Roshini blew out her breath. “If Luam wishes to die this planet rotation—” And he would wish that. She knew her friend. “—I’ll try to accept it.”
But she doubted the guilt would ever leave her. Because the Plan was hers, and her friend would do anything he could do to help her with it or with anything she asked of him.
She walked with Drift out of the cave toward the mounted transport.
Her cyborg carried the container of herbs with one hand and linked the fingers of his other hand with hers. The securing of her to him was needed.
Her mind floated.
She gazed toward the rising sun. It peeked over the horizon, illuminating the mountains with streaks of gold. The sky was an array of different colors, and it was clear. The sand glowed.
The beauty of the planet rotation made the discussions and actions they had to endure even more surreal. No one should have to speak of dying when the sun shone brightly over their heads. That was chatter for clouds and darkness.
Drift placed the container of herbs in the under-seat compartment. He lifted her onto the machine. The panels had been switched the previous rest cycle.
“You can do this, my female.” Her male pressed his lips against her forehead.
Her skin fizzed. She found the effervescence comforting now.
“I can do this.” She lifted her chin. Determination gripped her. “Get on, my cyborg, and strap your arms around me tightly. We’re flying fast this planet rotation.”
They would both lose themselves in the glory of speed. For a moment, she’d escape her duties.
And she would escape those responsibilities with her cyborg.
Always with him.
* * *
Roshini slowed the mounted transport once they reached the mountain nearest Luam’s home.
Drift jumped off the machine, rolled over the sand onto his booted feet, and then pushed himself forward. His big form blurred. That was how fast he was running. He resembled a dark shadow moving vertically up the incline.
She forced herself to fly her mounted transport much slower toward her destination.
When she arrived at the small structure, Luam was nowhere to be seen. He wasn’t waiting for her as he usually was.
She set the container of herbs near his home’s door and circled the building.
Her friend was found around the back of the lot.
He stood by the carved stone boulders that marked the final resting places of his mate and son. Her friend gazed down at the wind-smoothed sand.
His expression was…content.
Luam took a drink from the beverage container in his right hand. “Next sunrise, I will be by their sides.”
Fates. Grief gripped Roshini.
She sucked back that emotion.
“We can chatter freely.” She stood next to him. “My cyborg is blocking any surveillance the Invaders might be doing.”
“Your cyborg.” Luam passed her the beverage container.
She took a swig of the contents. The fermented beverage wasn’t at all diluted. It burned as it traveled down her throat. Her eyes watered.
