Lily

My heart is still racing as I follow Marcas. All of the Onyx soldiers surrendered the moment they realized their 'fearless leader' wasn't in control any longer. Siya's fantasies of 'total control' didn't get her very far in the end! The atmosphere on the vessel is very strange as I follow the four Zorans on their way towards their ship. I'm still reeling, to be honest.

“Shouldn't we take Siya with us or something?” I ask, afraid for another last-moment turn around. I won't believe she's truly defeated until I see her in court.

Egon shakes his head. “New Exon has already sent several ships. They'll take over.”

“What about these soldiers?” I say. "Won't they just free her?"

The green Zoran laughs. “Are you kidding me? Look at them, they're happy to be rid of her. No, I'm not worried about that.”

Meanwhile, Marcas is eager to catch up with his friends.

“Torin! You have to tell me how you escaped Blackgate!”

“You know about that? How?!”

“We ran into Anik,” my mate says.

“What? I thought the Federation picked him up.”

“Nope, Onyx had him.”

Torin cracks his knuckles. “Where's he now?”

“I’d imagine he's floating somewhere in space in the Vagreon sector, which brings me to you Kane -- what were you doing there?”

“You don't want to know.”

“Ah, come on. I spent half a year in a tank of water. I'm dying to hear what all of you got up to.”

The silver Zoran turns around, and the grim look on his face tells me all I need to know. “Look, Marcas, I'm happy to see you, but I honestly don't want to talk about Vagreon. Not right now.”

“Alright,” Marcas says. “I understand.”

“Here we are. Welcome to our humble abode,” Egon says with a smirk as we board his vessel.

A dozen people are waiting for us. It's simply overwhelming! There are more Zorans, a whole bunch of human females -- and even some babies as well!

“Marcas,” I say, tapping my mate on the shoulder. “Can we talk for a moment? In private?”

I don't want to seem rude, but I need a moment alone with him to process everything that just happened.

“Of course,” Marcas says. “Of course.”

He whispers something in Egon's era, and he leads us towards a private room. It's small but cozy, and I sit down on the bed.

“Take all the time you need,” he offers. “You're welcome to join the party if you want, but no pressure.”

“Thanks,” I say, tucking a strand of hair behind my ears. Marcas was right -- Egon is a stand-up guy. I look up at my pink mate. He's grinning at me like a fool, and I can't help but laugh.

“What?” I ask.

“We did it,” he says. “We did it. No, wait, you did it.”

“I’m nobody,” I say reflexively.

“Stop that.”

He rests his hands on my cheeks and forces me to look right into those brilliant, teal eyes of his.

“Look at me. You're Lily! Never let anyone tell you otherwise. I'm proud of you.”

“T-thanks,” I say.

“Are you okay?”

I'm not sure how to answer that. I've just been told that I'm not even a person — I was created in a lab. I'm genetically engineered. I'm not a real person. I'm just a tool, constructed by Onyx. Of course I'm not okay. But, then I gaze into his teal eyes, and everything feels like it just might be alright after all.

“As long as you're with me, yes.”

I hug him tightly and let me all my emotions out. I cry on his shoulder, and he holds me tightly, slowly rocking me back and forth.

“Nothing will change,” he says, “As far as my feelings are considered. I love you, and I will always love you, Lily.”

I look up at him. “Do you mean that?”

“Every word,” he growls. “Every single damn word.”

“I love you, too, Marcas,” I say. “I love you too.”

He holds me like that, and I close my eyes and just... rest. Everything is perfect as it is. The minutes pass, and I feel better already. Marcas is right: Siya has no control over me. She lost, and we won. I won't let her have any power over me. Not anymore.

“Let's meet the rest,” I say, wiping the tears from my eyes.

“Are you sure?” Marcas asks. “We can stay here if you like.”

“No, I want to meet them. I want to meet your friends.”

My pink mate smiles at me. “Let's go.”

He grabs my hand and leads me out the door. The party is in full-swing — there’s a red Zoran singing karaoke, while several human females dance to the sound of his low, baritone voice. Marcas clears his throat and all eyes turn to us. Instantly my cheeks are red — why did I think this was a good idea again?

“Everyone; I think we should make our introductions. I am Marcas.”

“Hello Marcas,” a dozen voices say in unison.

“And this is Lily!”

“Hello Lily!”

“Hi,” I say shyly, waving to the crowd.

“Now it’s your turn,” Marcas says.

We go across the room in dazzling speed, the names fired at me with the speed of lightning.

“Kazim.”

“Sarah.”

“Ava.”

“Lilith.”

“Turnon.”

“Dost.”

“Kane.”

“Egon.”

“Miah.”

“Piper.”

“Aria.”

“Daruk.”

“Torin.”

“Nora!”

My head is spinning from all these names. “Is that everyone?” I ask, afraid of the answer.

“Not quite,” Sarah laughs, as she gently nudges her child forwards. “This is Jacob! And there's also Grace and Eli, but I think they've been put to bed already.”

The child is the cutest thing ever, I can clearly see both her and Kazim's features in the young boy.

“And... I take it you're all... couples?” I ask.

“You'll figure it out,” Dost laughs as he walks up to me and hands me a drink. “Have you had kuhla before?”

“No way, you have a bottle?” Marcas buts in.

“Of course! What better time to celebrate than now?”

My mate has a wide smile. “You're in for a treat, honey.”

“Yes, come and drink, and tell us all how you managed to take down Onyx.”

I shrug. “I mean, it's not that great of a story…”

“Nonsense," Ava says. “You saved all of us! In fact, I propose a toast. To Lily!”

“To Lily!” a dozen voices say.

I sip my drink, the alcohol warming my throat, as my eyes pass over the room. It's decorated, it's homely, it's cozy. And all these people are just incredibly sweet.

For the first time in my life, I think I may have just found a home.