DEX
DEX FANCIED HIMSELF a rugged man, plenty capable of surviving the harsher conditions that some planets in Mirabel had to offer. He’d survived a bone-shattering winter on Solera, sweated through half of his hard-earned wardrobe on the desert moon Kaniv, and spent countless hours forcing himself to stay awake in the midst of pointless meetings during his days training to become a Guardian.
But as much as he disliked the pompous, wealthy citizens of the military planet Arcardius, he relished the beauty of it as a whole. It was a shiny, glittering type of place and, rugged bounty hunter or not, Dex was not ashamed to be a fan of things that sparkled.
As the Patrol ships escorted them through the atmosphere and into the Arcardian skies, Dex could practically taste the fine bubbling liquor he’d drink—endless amounts of it, due to the planet-load of Krevs the general was about to deliver into his account, plus the badge of honor that would be reattached to his chest.
No longer would he bow in shame when he passed other Guardians. He’d be one of them again, after all this time.
He blew out a breath of air, focusing on the view as they dropped closer to the ground. There were plenty of other, smaller ships in the sky, all of which parted before them as their escorts cleared the way.
The main continent of Arcardius came into view, a glorious green scattered with waterside cities. There was Dex’s sparkle. Spiraling towers of glass that soared high into the sky, razor sharp and yet soft all at once, rendered by a master architect’s hand. Their reflections seemed to dance on the water’s surface, doubling the beauty of it all.
The Arcardian flag, blue with a silver bursting star icon in the center, was on display everywhere. The largest one covered the entire edge of a domed building—the renowned military Academy Andi had attended before becoming a Spectre.
In between the buildings were personal transport ships of the finest kind. Racers and Thrusters and Dex’s personal favorite, Sky Blades—black single-passenger carbon ships that were as light as a feather, capable of soaring faster than anything else on Arcardius.
From the number of transports in the city, it was clear that the crowds had begun to arrive for the Summit. Citizens traveled from all across Mirabel to meet each year and witness the system leaders renew their bonds of friendship and lasting peace.
No wonder General Cortas had been so insistent on their returning Valen on schedule—he no doubt wanted to publicly announce his son’s rescue and Mirabel’s triumph over Xen Ptera once more.
After the attack on Adhira, however, Dex didn’t feel as if they’d truly achieved any kind of victory in bringing Valen home.
Across the city, set apart from the splendor, a cluster of natural gravarocks hovered in the sky. Large, floating bits of land—some mountainous, others not—where the wealthiest of Arcardius chose to take up residence.
Dex could pinpoint the general’s with a single glance.
It was easily the largest of them all, save for the great floating mountain they’d passed on their way in. On its top, visible even from here, was the Cortas estate, Averia. It was made up of several sprawling white buildings so pristine and bright that just looking at the complex hurt Dex’s eyes.
He glanced sideways at Andi and noticed the way her hands were curled tightly on her armrests. Almost as if she were flying into battle, rather than soaring toward the biggest payout of her life. Toward the place she’d once called home, which could soon be hers again, if she wished it.
“It’s just a building, Baroness,” Dex said, his voice light.
But he knew what the Arcardians had done to her.
He knew how broken she had been when he’d found her in that market so long ago.
A strange feeling came over him in that moment as he watched her looking upon her old home. He wanted to reach out and touch her hand. He wanted to kiss her—not in the way he almost had on Adhira.
Something gentler. Sweeter.
The kind of kiss Dex knew he didn’t deserve to give her.
When this job was done, the best gift Dex could offer Andi was leaving. She’d never have to see him again after this.
It was almost too much, looking at her now and knowing it wasn’t him she needed anymore. Perhaps she never truly had.
His voice hushed, Dex sent a com to Andi’s crew to join them on the bridge.
When they arrived, he stood silently from his chair and headed for the door.
He stopped before he stepped into the hall and cast a quick glance over his shoulder.
The crew had formed a half circle behind Andi.
The giantess, with all her strength. The small gunner, with the yowling horned furball in her arms. And then there was the pilot, her expression sickly, whose gentle support was felt nonetheless.
It was then that Dex realized they weren’t standing in a circle. Instead, they had formed a wall around Andi, protecting her with their presence.
Some things were far more powerful than weapons or words.
Dex left the four of them alone together, savoring the silence as the Patrol ships carted them toward the Cortas estate.