Page 39

Once they docked safely, Cal opened the hatch. Adria’s high-pitched squeak rattled through the spaceship, its echo ringing in Roy’s ears. He chuckled and patted his chest pocket, checking for the pouch of honey-flavoured candy.

“Cally!” She jumped up and down on the pier. Neri circled the child in the shallow waters, arms outstretched and eyes narrowed, ready to catch her if she stepped on a slippery plank.

“Hello, fair spacefarers. You seem...” She paused, scanning them both from head to toe. “Hmm. Different.”

“Different?” Cal chuckled with a hint of nervousness. Adria was already hanging around his neck, pecking his cheek and whispering into his ear—questions about gifts from their journey, Roy assumed.

“Yes. We’ll talk about that. Later. I need to go. Anniversary today.” She plunged into the sea, her tail splashing the waves. She surfaced once more, waved goodbye to Adria, and disappeared into the dark waters.

“And where’s Uros?” Roy looked around. They could use another pair of arms to carry the heavy honey jars, but Uros, with his blue ponytail and pouty face, was nowhere to be seen. Crouching, he flipped his pocket open and fished out the bag of candy.

Adria snatched the package and beamed. “Thank you! Uros has been staring into the e-Scroll all day.”

“Let’s check on him, then,” Roy mumbled, exchanging a worried glance with Cal.

Uros lay sprawled on the couch, the e-Scroll unrolled in front of him. Buttercup rested her head on his chest, her raspy tongue catching drool dripping from her lips. Her ears twitched as Roy approached.

“Hey, you two. All good?”

With a graceful slide, Buttercup slipped away from Uros’ side. She arched her back and yawned, baring her white fangs. She padded toward Roy, first bumping against his thighs, then rubbing against Cal.

“I missed you, too,” Roy chuckled, wrapping his arm around Cal’s waist.

“Uros?” Cal’s voice trembled. He crossed his arms, his brows pinched together. “What’s wrong?”

“The trial has started,” Uros whispered.

“Oh.” With a gentle nudge, Cal coaxed his brother aside. He sat on the edge of the couch cushion and settled the e-Scroll in his lap. His long fingers slid across the holographic screen, colour draining from his face with each swipe.

“Your fiancé is pressing charges. In the name of the people,” Uros gritted.

“Ex.”

“Right. Sorry. I sure hope he was worth it. If he sends our parents—” Uros’ breath hitched as his eyes darted to Adria. “We should have been there, Cal.” He sat up swiftly, throwing Cal off balance. “We should have been by their side now, testifying against all those lies.”

“Uros, we both swore we wouldn’t enter Eiden unless summoned.” Cal sighed and rubbed his forehead. “You know I requested permission for the trial, and you know they denied it.”

“We could’ve gone rogue. Or bribed the guards! Whatever, but you apparently prefer to travel the galaxy with your new toy.” Hatred flashed in Uros’s words, but Roy stayed calm, apart from his clenched fists.

“That’s enough.” Cal’s tone grew cold. Perhaps it was the definitive, authoritative voice they’d taught him in rhetoric classes—the voice he was meant to wield from the throne. “I know you’re scared. I’m terrified too. But you don’t get to take it out on Roy, who has sheltered us when no one else would.”

“Right,” Uros scoffed, striding toward the hall. “Let me know when the verdict’s out. I need some air.” He slammed the door, rattling the coffee mugs in Roy’s cupboard.

“I’ll go after him.” Roy slipped on the jacket he’d shed a few minutes ago. “Don’t worry.”

Roy caught up with Uros. His rage had transformed into quiet sniffles and blank stares at the blood-red horizon. They sat on the bench near the seaweed drying rack, wordlessly, two men coexisting. After a while, Roy extended his arm, hovering over Uros’s shoulders.

“I’m sorry.” Uros wiped his nose on the hem of his sweater, curling into Roy’s embrace. “I didn’t mean to be rude.”

“All good.” Roy patted his shoulder, tracing shapes into the gravel with the tip of his boot. “You’re stressed and tired. But I promise you, Cal’s doing everything he can.”

“I know.” Uros slipped out of Roy’s arms and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palms. “And I’m glad Cal’s happy with you. And so is Adria. Just for your information, she’s already planning the wedding.”

“She’s what?”

The laugh died in Uros’ throat when Cal emerged from Roy’s cabin, the e-Scroll pressed to his chest. Roy held his breath, muscles suddenly too heavy to move.

“The verdict’s been published.” Cal stood in front of them, his chest heaving with rapid breaths. “They’re okay. No death penalty.”