Javier's POVThe following week went by far too fast. Every night I lay with Theo in my arms. Her breath warmed my chest in little puffs. Mads was finally sleeping too, falling into a regular pattern, one hand clasped over my shoulder while he slept with his face buried in Theo's hair.We would stay like that all day if we could. As each day went by, Theo held on tighter, unconsciously showing me how terrified she was of me leaving. Mads became more distant. Withdrawing as he usually did when he was upset. In private, while Theo was piloting, he tried to convince me to stay.Telling me how much Theo needed me as if I didn't already know. How much he needed me. It wasn't too long ago that I claimed Mads didn't have a romantic bone in his body, but now I'm learning very quickly that he did. He had a soft, molten center becoming more apparent every day.And while I loved him for it, I had responsibilities on Ilios. I was a high-ranking military officer with a shit-ton of paperw
Theodora's POVLife was so different now.It felt like yesterday I was dodging military phasers and jumping off skyscrapers. Fighting with my dad. Avoiding Mads. Lying to my brother about my relationships. Having flashbacks every other day from wartimes.But now I was sitting around a fire pit on my family farm while we passed around a bottle of starshine and reminisced about odd jobs. Mads to my left. Javi to my right. Daxton across from me laughing about something with my dad, arm around Ellie.Benji complimented my mom's cooking. Mads joined the conversation, both dimples proud and on display.Unguarded. Just as visibly happy as I felt inside. Playfully nudging Ellie in the ribs and making her release a big belly laugh.My heart flushed with warmth. I loved him so much.When we arrived at Gaea, we made good on our promise, fixing my dad's barn. All six of us helped my dad with beams and massive hunks of metal. Now that it's fixed, Mads and Javi help my dad with his ser
Theodora's POVWith an entire galaxy to police, I wondered if the Galactic Military ever got tired of chasing me from planet to planet."WALKER!" a booming voice shouted as I crossed narrow scaffolding along the massive skyscrapers on Juniper, one of Juno's moons. This particular moon had a thriving black market, but I guess the guy who sold me my goods also called the cops on me.Bastard.I teetered along the edge, along the clear glass. Inside the building, I watched several civilians point and stare at me, the crazy woman danging above a black abyss, on the precipice of the unknown plummeting down into the black hole beneath me. "Get back here, Walker! Pay for your war crimes!" the booming voice shouted again as shots ricocheted off the glass and into the sky. I could hear the heavy boots of authorities clomping against the structure, shaking the weak supports under me.I threw my head over my shoulder, looking directly at the familiar face of my ex-commanding officer,
Theodora's POVWhen I made it up to the bridge, Benji had the call projected over the windows. His nose was buried in a book, the ship set on autopilot.Daxton had his arms folded, mid-conversation with the man taking up the screen. "I don't know why you insist on waiting for your subordinate, Captain Walker," the man stated, a sharpness to his tone. My brother often posed as the Captain of the Peacemaker, even though I was the one who called the shots. It didn't help that as soon as someone says "Captain Walker" they assume it was my brother and not me. Eventually, we leaned into it.I strode up to Daxton's side, bracing and leaning against the pilot's console."We're a package deal," my brother replied. He glanced over at me and continued, "And now that she's here, you can continue."The gangly man frowned but resumed his spiel. "As I was saying, I am the Emissary of Ilios, calling you on behalf of Emporer Cyrus."I didn't say anything, bringing my eyebrows together
Theodora's POVNightfall in Ilios was quite the sight. Two suns meant two sunsets. Glittering the sky with purples and pinks, three different moons rose and took their place in the sky—various sizes and colors. Just as unique as the mountains decorating the horizon. The only lights were dimmed lanterns marking the open buildings. Bars. Restaurants. Night shows. The dim light preserved the beauty of the stars glowing, making me feel so small in the vastness of the galaxy.My brother hated it. Loved the stars, but hated feeling small.I found comfort in it. No matter how badly I fucked up, it would only ever be a blimp in the grand scheme of things. Peaceful silence, after all, was said and done.For once, it made my life feel simple.I leaned against the open bay door where we had docked. Daxton and Benji were setting up chairs to drink the night away before we met with the Emperor in the morning. Usually, I would join them.Not tonight.I had to get off the ship tonigh
Theodora's POVIn the sun, the royal castle looked even more spectacular. Golden arches reflected the sun, making it look like a jewel in the greenery of the mountain. A fog had settled along the trees from the early morning. Castle didn't seem like the right word to describe it. Setting off a cliffside, it was open, airy, and not fortified like many other castles. Fabric blew in the wind, adding to its ethereal qualities. Absolutely beautiful. And as Daxton as I climbed the steps further to the grand gates, it only seemed to get more stunning.Various land rovers were parked outside the gates, each of them as fancy as the one I was in last night. My one-night stand did exactly what I wanted it to. I was relaxed and sleepy, and I didn't think about Mads as I drifted into sleepy land. Thankfully, I didn't dream much at all.So I woke up rested and ready to kick Daxton out of his bed. He would complain and tell me that we still had a few hours before we had to meet with the E
Theodora's POVThe Emperor made a gesture with his hands and the double doors behind us flew open. "As you can imagine, I'm a busy man. Javier will brief you on all the details. I'll authorize your departure from Ilios immediately," Emperor Cyrus ordered. My lips parted. There were many things I wanted to ask. Where were we going? What leads did he have? I hated uncertainty.But Daxton talked first, "We need to refuel. And I'd prefer to get the details of the case before we leave.""Flying blind won't help us find your daughter any faster," I added.Emperor Cyrus made a gruff noise of annoyance, but he kept his poise like an aristocrat. But underneath all that poise was a distraught father. I could see it in the tremble of his hands. "I will have my attendants restock and refuel your starship," Javier offered, stepping toward the throne. "You have enough to do, Cyrus, let me find Sol."I watched Emperor Cyrus's shoulders settle as he released an anxious breath. "I know
Theodora's POV"Is this up to your standards, Your Majesty?" I asked snidely as I stepped aside to let Javier into his room. It wasn't much, but with a large bay window showcasing the stars and cosmos, it was my favorite room on the ship.A freshly-made bed with his luggage sitting on top of it. Thank the stars for Ellie. If it was up to me, I would have made Javier put the sheets on the bed himself. "I'm not royalty, Javier is fine," he replied, stepping past me into his quarters. Once he saw the window, his shoulders slacked. "Wow. Look at that view.""Beautiful, isn't it?" I asked, staring out the window, noticing how the light from the multiple suns danced off of Javier's golden skin, illuminating him in a breathtaking glow. Almost enough to make me forget he called my ship a rust bucket.Not quite.He glanced at me from over his shoulder, his eyes flittering down to my feet and back up again. "Breathtaking." His honeyed eyes glimmered, ensnaring me with temptation. Li