The Shattered Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 7)

Chapter 15.5

Scotty went into his bedroom to find an empty bed. Surprised, he went into the kitchen, where he found Aurora rummaging through the cupboards. "I want something to eat," she explained, a bit sheepishly, "but I cannot identify what. It is most frustrating."

He smiled at her. "When you figure it out, let me know. If we don't have it, I'll go get it."

"What is wrong, Scotty?" she asked immediately, closing the cupboard she had been contemplating.

"Sit down, please." He waited until she did. "Tirqwin and Khediva are back. They found...bad news."

"Someone has taken Ford and Zeph?" she asked anxiously.

"Not exactly. They found the remains of the ship in the event horizon of a black hole. Apparently it formed while the ship was in the Way, and—Khediva says it would have been really fast. They wouldn't have really known what happened," he added quickly as she paled.

"I cannot—this cannot be true."

"Well, Mara's with you on that one. She says she would have felt it. She's still out there looking."

Aurora stood abruptly and went into the bedroom, going to the closet. Scotty trailed her, asking, "What are you doing?"

"Getting dressed. I must immediately go to the Guardian. She will need her Chief Attendant."

"Uh," Scotty said, testing and discarding various phrases until he found one that didn't sound like a demand. "I don't want you to."

"I know," she said. "Come with me. You're on leave."

"The Commander's waiting for me to volunteer to be the military liaison. One of our people was aboard that ship too."

"Captain Lien. Of course." Aurora nodded. "Why is she waiting? You did not volunteer immediately?"

"Of course I did. But she wanted me to talk to you first." He gave her a wry grin. "I knew it was a waste of time. Look, if I'm going, do you really need to go?"

"Scotty, I still have at least two months before our son is born. I will be careful not to put myself in jeopardy, and with you there, I know we will be completely safe. But I would like to be there for Her Majesty. I know she must be in distress."

Scotty blew out his breath. "Yeah. Okay. Look. If I think things are getting too dangerous, no matter what Mara says, I want you to promise me you'll step back."

Aurora frowned. "Scotty, I have taken an oath of service."

"Our son hasn't. And I have as much an interest in his safety as you do."

She sighed. "True. But—"

"Aurora, I just watched two people I love dearly grieving a spouse and a son. I know I couldn't bear to do both at once. Promise you won't make me."

She came over and put her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "I promise," she whispered. "And I am sorry."

"For what?" he asked, pulling back to look at her.

"I had not stopped to consider what it must have been like for you. This must be horrible for Sabrina and Tirqwin."

"At least they have each other," Scotty said. "I hate to leave her now, but if Tirqwin and Khediva are staying, I know she'll be in good hands."

"Will we not travel aboard Khediva, then?"

"I don't think so. If you'll pack for both of us, I'll go find out what the arrangements are. Then I think we should go up and tell them we're leaving."