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I smile inwardly; the seeds of doubt have taken root. “I’m open to discussions,” I say aloud, keeping my tone neutral.
He exhales in relief and begins outlining new terms that are far more favorable than Solaris’s offer—and devoid of any threats to stability.
As we finalize the details and shake hands once more, I can’t help but feel a grim satisfaction. Protecting what’s mine requires more than brute strength; it demands strategy and precision.
Kieran leaves with reassurances and promises of continued loyalty echoing behind him as the door closes softly.
Alone again in my study, I allow myself a brief moment of reflection before moving on to the next challenge of the day—Ariana remains ever-present in my thoughts.
But first things first: securing the mine ensures her safety indirectly—everything is connected in this intricate web we weave.
And I intend to keep her safe at all costs.
The garden is a riot of color against the otherwise stark landscape of Armstrong. Flowers not native to this war-ravaged planet bloom defiantly, their petals vibrant against the backdrop of crumbling stone and dust.
I find Ariana kneeling among the blossoms, her fingers deftly tending to a particularly stubborn weed. The sight of her here, so at ease amidst this beauty, stirs something deep within me.
“Ariana,” I say, stepping closer. She looks up, startled for a moment before her lips curve into a smile.
“Valen,” she replies, rising gracefully to her feet. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I needed a break from the endless stream of meetings.” I gesture to the garden. “And it seems you’ve found yourself a new project.”
She laughs softly, brushing dirt from her hands. “The garden needed some attention.”
My gaze falls on a cluster of flowers near her. Their deep blue petals shimmer under the sun, delicate yet resilient. “These are Nythar blooms,” I say, crouching beside her. “They’re not native to Armstrong.”
Ariana tilts her head, curiosity lighting her eyes. “Really? They’re beautiful.”
“They are,” I agree. “They originate from my homeworld, Kilgaris Prime. These flowers were once thought too fragile to survive anywhere else.”
She bends down to touch a petal gently. “But they’re thriving here.”
I nod, feeling a strange sense of pride. “Yes, they are. It took years of careful cultivation and adaptation to get them to this point.”
Ariana’s eyes meet mine, and there’s something knowing in her gaze. “They must be very resilient.”
“They are,” I say quietly. “Resilience is often born from necessity.”
She smiles again, and it’s like the sun breaking through clouds. “Sounds like someone I know,” she says softly.
My chest tightens at her words. She sees more than I give away—sees through the layers I’ve built around myself.
“They’ve had to adapt to harsh conditions,” I continue, keeping my tone light despite the weight of my thoughts. “But now they flourish where others thought they couldn’t.”
Ariana nods slowly, understanding dawning in her eyes. “It’s amazing what can happen when given a chance.”
“Yes,” I agree, unable to look away from her. “It is.”
For a moment, we stand in silence, surrounded by the heady scent of blossoms and the quiet hum of life in the garden.
She turns back to the flowers, fingers tracing the edges of a petal with care. “Thank you for sharing that with me,” she says softly.
The words sting like the thorns of the flowers she tends. I’ve hardly shared anything with her, especially the depths of my past. And what happens when we get closer? When she’ll inevitably ask about where I come from, how I got here?
I fear what she might say when she knows my whole truth. But I can’t let that hold me back from being with her right now.
I reach out and gently take her hand in mine, feeling the warmth of her skin against my own. “Anytime,” I reply, my voice low and sincere.
