Page 77 of Commander’s Mate

Tivid inclined his head.

“I will prepare the protocol.”

He left.

Silence settled.

Harper remained.

“You okay?” she asked.

“No.”

“Good answer.”

I almost laughed.

Almost.

She looked at Meya’s record.

“What was she like?”

The question hurt differently.

“She carved stars into everything.”

“Why?”

“She was terrible at them.”

Harper smiled faintly.

“That doesn’t answer why.”

“It was her clan mark before she was old enough to have one.”

“She made up her own?”

“Yes.”

“I like her already.”

“She would like you.”

The certainty slipped out before I could stop it.

Harper’s eyes softened.

“You don’t know that.”

“No.”

“She might think I’m annoying.”

“Yes.”

“Hey.”