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“Thank you, really, but please don’t say anything else. I might change my mind and take it, otherwise. And I shouldn’t. It belongs here.”

She felt Dare squeeze her shoulder.

“Just get us to our shuttle,” Dakota added. “That will be thanks enough.”

The next part of the trip happened in a bit of a haze. A large manta-ray ship moved up to the dome entrance, and the Maronians helped carry Rynan aboard.

As they ascended out of the Abyss, Dakota couldn’t help but poke at the spongy, gray walls of the ship. It was pretty darn interesting.

Soon, the dark depths got lighter and lighter. When they arrived back at the city, Dakota blinked at the change in brightness.

She’d left the treasure behind, and now it was time to leave Maro behind, too.

Dare and Justyn got Rynan settled on a stretcher in the shuttle, strapping him in securely.

After more farewells, they left the dome, powering through the water before taking to the air.

Dakota stared out the viewscreen, lost in thought. It wasn’t long before she saw the shape of the Sky Nomad in the distance.

“You’re quiet,” Dare said.

“Thinking.”

Dakota realized that her one purpose, her reason for being for such a long time, was gone.

So, where did that leave her?

Dare stood in the med bay, watching Elana working on a motionless Rynan.

His brother was under a med scanner, and Elana’s worry was easy for Dare to see. She hovered over Ry, double and triple checking monitors.

“How is he?” Dare asked.

“There’s some damage to his brain,” she said.

“What? How bad?”

Elana raised a shaky hand to her mouth. “I won’t know until he wakes up.” She reached out and stroked Ry’s dark hair.

Dare watched her. “When are you going to tell him that you love him?”

A sad smile. “We both know he wouldn’t welcome it. I’m his friend, his employee. He’d see it as a betrayal.”

Everything she said was true. Rynan was fighting his own demons left over from their childhood.

“Besides,” she said, stroking his hair again, “he doesn’t believe in love.”

“I didn’t either. Things can change.”

She eyed him. “So I see. I guess if Dare Phoenix can fall in love, anything is possible. Where is Dakota?”

“I’m going to find her now. She disappeared as soon as we came aboard.” He stared at his brother’s face. “You’ll take care of him?”

“You don’t have to ask,” Elana answered.

Dare went in search of Dakota. He checked his cabin, and found a damp towel on the floor by his bed. He checked the galley, but it was empty.

He found himself entering the arboretum.