The Shattered Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 7)

Chapter 25.4

Three weeks later, the Council of the Realm was still debating how to respond to the Kyan threat, baby Rayland had gained four pounds, and Khediva announced that Tirqwin's chrysalis was beginning to show signs of emergence. Mara adjourned the Council until further notice and went up to Khediva, along with Horamennet; the others waited to be called.

"I'm not going up right away," Sabrina told Ford as they ate lunch.

"What? Why not?" he asked, startled.

"I don't want to give Horamennet any ideas. You can pass along my greetings," she said.

Ford frowned. "Everyone expects you there, Sabrina. It's going to seem odd."

"I'll see him later." Sabrina sighed. "He'll understand. I already discussed it with Khediva. She'll explain it to him."

"He won't like it," Ford said.

"It's not like I'll really miss it. I'll see it through you," she said wistfully.

Ford echoed her sigh. "All right. But promise me, if I ever go into chrysalis, that you will be the first face I see when I emerge."

"Of course," she said. "And likewise."

He shook his head. "Khediva says she doesn't think you ever would. She thinks the Crystal would overwrite the ability even if she gave it to you, which she hasn't."

"Just as well. Scotty said it was an unbelievably odd experience."

Lien knocked on the dining room door. "Sir, Wayship Khediva says it's time to go."

Sabrina kissed Ford. "Give Tirqwin my love."

"I'll tell him."

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Tirqwin's emergence was much less dramatic than Scotty's; he methodically chipped his way out of the brittle remains of the chrysalis with Mara's help, then kissed his wife, checked in with Khediva, and began eating at a furious pace. Ford helped with the trays and welcomed his father back, staying in the background as Scotty and Aurora arrived with baby Rayland. Tirqwin paused in his meal long enough to hold his grandson and congratulate the new parents, then handed the baby back to Aurora and looked around. "Where is Sabrina?"

Ford waited until his father had finished gulping down the drink he had picked up. "She got held up on the planet. She'll be up later. She sends her love."

Tirqwin frowned at him. "Is she all right?"

"She's fine, Father. Don't worry." Ford glanced at Horamennet, who was watching Tirqwin intently.

Tirqwin looked at Mara, then went back to his meal. "I suppose you would not be here if she were not," he said between bites.

"Very true," Ford said.

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Later that night, Sabrina and Ford were interrupted in their bedtime preparations by the arrival of Ford's parents. "We are sorry to interrupt," Mara said as they joined their visitors in the sitting room in their nightrobes, "but it became apparent that the Continuity Supervisor was not going to allow us any privacy aboard Khediva."

"Tirqwin," Sabrina said, hugging him. "Welcome back. We missed you terribly."

"Your absence made me wonder," he said, hugging her back and then holding her at arm's length to look at her. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, just fine," she assured him. "But the Continuity Supervisor added two and two and got seventeen, so I figured I wouldn't confuse his math any further."