you properly in such a venue. Please know we mean no offense by it.”
“No, that’s fine,” I said quickly. “I appreciate your, um, discretion.”
“I imagine we’ll see you all in Bailerealta.” Gordon’s smile now seemed forced, his eyes darting from me to Rigel, then back.
The O’Garas assured them they would. When they headed back to the other side of the gate, I let out a relieved breath. “Are those some of the Royals you mentioned before?” I whispered.
Mrs. O nodded, frowning at their retreating backs. “Planning to take the same ship we are from Bailerealta, no doubt to build support of their own.” Her mouth primmed with disapproval. Maybe I wasn’t the only one who’d picked up that questionable vibe.
“Devyn Kane was becoming quite prominent in political circles before Faxon’s uprising.” Mr. O’Gara kept his voice low. “The youngest minister in a century or more, on track to become High Chancellor one day. Possibly your most serious competition for leadership of Nuath. I notice they were careful not to pledge their allegiance to you, for all they showed outward respect. I’d hoped such shifts in attitude were exaggerated.”
I wasn’t particularly surprised when the two Royals boarded with the first class passengers. I wondered if they were surprised I didn’t. Boarding several minutes later, the six of us made our way to our assigned seats: three rows of two, one behind the other, along the windows. Sean and I were in the middle two, with Mr. and Mrs. O’Gara in front of us, Rigel and Molly behind.
Sitting next to Sean for the whole flight, ignoring that faint tingle I always got from him—and making sure Rigel didn’t pick up on that at all —was going to be a challenge. At least I had a window. I stared out of it during taxi and takeoff, watching everything below us grow smaller and smaller until Chicago looked like a model of a city and the Great Lakes like ponds. Then we climbed into clouds and there was nothing to see but a floor of dazzling white foam with brilliant blue skies above. I released a small sigh.
Glad you enjoyed that. Rigel’s mental tone was indulgent, making me smile.
“I forgot this was your first time flying,” Sean said at almost the same time, probably in response to my sigh. “Glad you’re not scared.”
“Scared? I’d better not be, considering—” Considering I’ll be getting on a spaceship in a week, I thought to Rigel. Then, aloud, “I think it’s awesome.” I turned back to the window, wondering how it would feel to watch the whole planet getting smaller the way Chicago had.
C HAPTER 11
aitlean (ayt-lee-AN) : airplane; primitive aircraft used extensively by Duchas; Earth’s primary means of intercontinental travel
Sean
M finally falls asleep somewhere over the Atlantic, not long after they take our dinner trays away. She’s been so keyed up all day, I figured she’d crash eventually. Can’t blame her, I’m excited too. It’s going to be way cool to show her around Bailerealta and I can’t wait to get her back to Mars. I wonder how much has changed in two years?
Some attitudes, for sure, like Dad said after those two Echtrans talked to us at the gate. How anybody who calls themselves Royal can possibly not want M to take her place as Sovereign of Nuath is beyond me. Almost makes me wish they could get demoted to another fine or something, even though I know it’s genetics and not a choice. Still.
My eyes are beginning to get heavy when M starts to lean…toward me. I hold my breath as her head droops further and further my way until, finally, her head is resting on my shoulder. I slowly lean my own head back, careful not to jar her awake. It’s beyond awesome that she trusts me enough to relax so completely against me, especially after yesterday. For a long moment I savor her closeness, her wonderful scent, the soft sound of her breathing…until something painful twists my gut. Because I know,
“No, that’s fine,” I said quickly. “I appreciate your, um, discretion.”
“I imagine we’ll see you all in Bailerealta.” Gordon’s smile now seemed forced, his eyes darting from me to Rigel, then back.
The O’Garas assured them they would. When they headed back to the other side of the gate, I let out a relieved breath. “Are those some of the Royals you mentioned before?” I whispered.
Mrs. O nodded, frowning at their retreating backs. “Planning to take the same ship we are from Bailerealta, no doubt to build support of their own.” Her mouth primmed with disapproval. Maybe I wasn’t the only one who’d picked up that questionable vibe.
“Devyn Kane was becoming quite prominent in political circles before Faxon’s uprising.” Mr. O’Gara kept his voice low. “The youngest minister in a century or more, on track to become High Chancellor one day. Possibly your most serious competition for leadership of Nuath. I notice they were careful not to pledge their allegiance to you, for all they showed outward respect. I’d hoped such shifts in attitude were exaggerated.”
I wasn’t particularly surprised when the two Royals boarded with the first class passengers. I wondered if they were surprised I didn’t. Boarding several minutes later, the six of us made our way to our assigned seats: three rows of two, one behind the other, along the windows. Sean and I were in the middle two, with Mr. and Mrs. O’Gara in front of us, Rigel and Molly behind.
Sitting next to Sean for the whole flight, ignoring that faint tingle I always got from him—and making sure Rigel didn’t pick up on that at all —was going to be a challenge. At least I had a window. I stared out of it during taxi and takeoff, watching everything below us grow smaller and smaller until Chicago looked like a model of a city and the Great Lakes like ponds. Then we climbed into clouds and there was nothing to see but a floor of dazzling white foam with brilliant blue skies above. I released a small sigh.
Glad you enjoyed that. Rigel’s mental tone was indulgent, making me smile.
“I forgot this was your first time flying,” Sean said at almost the same time, probably in response to my sigh. “Glad you’re not scared.”
“Scared? I’d better not be, considering—” Considering I’ll be getting on a spaceship in a week, I thought to Rigel. Then, aloud, “I think it’s awesome.” I turned back to the window, wondering how it would feel to watch the whole planet getting smaller the way Chicago had.
C HAPTER 11
aitlean (ayt-lee-AN) : airplane; primitive aircraft used extensively by Duchas; Earth’s primary means of intercontinental travel
Sean
M finally falls asleep somewhere over the Atlantic, not long after they take our dinner trays away. She’s been so keyed up all day, I figured she’d crash eventually. Can’t blame her, I’m excited too. It’s going to be way cool to show her around Bailerealta and I can’t wait to get her back to Mars. I wonder how much has changed in two years?
Some attitudes, for sure, like Dad said after those two Echtrans talked to us at the gate. How anybody who calls themselves Royal can possibly not want M to take her place as Sovereign of Nuath is beyond me. Almost makes me wish they could get demoted to another fine or something, even though I know it’s genetics and not a choice. Still.
My eyes are beginning to get heavy when M starts to lean…toward me. I hold my breath as her head droops further and further my way until, finally, her head is resting on my shoulder. I slowly lean my own head back, careful not to jar her awake. It’s beyond awesome that she trusts me enough to relax so completely against me, especially after yesterday. For a long moment I savor her closeness, her wonderful scent, the soft sound of her breathing…until something painful twists my gut. Because I know,
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