Page 80 of Meteor Storm

“The valerians are interested in a contractual alliance. One of them is here to negotiate and he’s with his human mate.”

“His human mate?”

“Evidently. A woman named Innifer Saint.”

Her brows shot up again and she stepped back from me. “Innifer? She’s with a valerian? Jesus, how long have I been gone?”

“If you were acquired in cryo, it could have been any length of time.”

“Please, don’t say that.”

She grabbed hold of my arm again as if the idea of having been in cryo-sleep for an extended time stressed her out. I’d been in cryo many times to traverse space on many missions, but the fact that humans were new to the concept of intergalactic travel was something I had to keep reminding myself of.

“We will be docking soon,” Yuros said. “The clerics are already gathered to receive the two of you.”

I translated his words once more to Penny and she shook her head. “Why does it feel like I’m meeting my boyfriend’s parents?” She instantly looked as if she wanted to eat those words back up. “Sorry, that was a dumb comparison.”

“Is ‘boyfriend’ something humans call—”

“It’s just what women call a guy they’re courting. Or dating. Whatever.”

I could tell she was trying to brush it off, but the way her cheeks reddened betrayed her every time. I left it alone, but I could not help the corner of my mouth from curling up on one side.

“Are we supposed to dress any certain way to meet these clerics?”

“No,” I said. “They will expect us in whatever attire we’ve been wearing for our journey. It will be part of their analysis.”

“Analysis. That sounds so… robotic. I suppose it’s all just procedure.” She released my arm and straightened. “I’ve been through worse. Guess it’s good to get it all over with.”

The docking procedures seemed to take ages, but once the Qohaan was finally anchored to the Edda and the ship was transferred into a power-saving mode that silenced the entire room, Yuros turned to me.

“They will not harm or keep the human against her will,” he assured me. “They will only ask questions and then likely send her on her way with the valerian general.”

“I know,” I nodded, confident.

“As for your—”

“I am not worried about my judgement. I will accept whatever they decide is appropriate for this situation.”

Yuros nodded once, shifting his attention briefly to Penny.

“Let us move forward then,” he said.

The two of us followed him through the ship into the docking tunnel leading to one of the Edda’s multiple hangars with Sunhai uncharacteristically quiet as she tailed us. Penny kept moving her fingers, curling them into loose fists and flexing them over and over until I could not stand it. I moved closer to her as we walked and reached out, wrapping my fingers around hers. She glanced up at me, the tension in her face dissolving.

She was so cold, as usual. The heat of my touch seemed to instantly soothe her and a small whisper of a smile teased her lips.

My heart swelled at the idea that I could relieve her nerves like that. For how much longer, I didn’t know, but I wanted to savor it while I could.

Once we emerged from the docking tunnel and entered the massive hangar, Penny’s attention was pulled in every direction. Slick, silver walls stretched up ten stories above. Metal walkways wound from one side to the other with crew members all doing their jobs in an organized fashion. A dome overhead peered out into space, giving us a clear view of Jar’tool in all its swirling colors. On the other side of the hangar was a foreign ship. One I understood was of valerian design, shaped like the head of an arrow with a slick, dark exterior.

Penny noticed it, too. Even with the unfamiliar new environment, she was attentive.

“That’s the valerian ship,” she pointed out. “At least I recognize something.”

I nodded. “It’s general Vahko’s. We’ve heard of him.”

“Vahko? I… I know him. That’s the general you were talking about? He’s here? Now?”