Armet reached over and took the bags from Star and River, stepping back so the two women could move ahead of him. Star numbly followed Dakar’s lethal figure through the crowded room and out into the street. A transport pulled up and he opened the door. Neither woman said a word as they quickly slid into it. Star stared blindly out the window as the transport rose and did a U-turn in the middle of the busy street. They wove through the streets at a fast pace heading back to the palace. Star jerked in surprise when she felt River curl her fingers around her cold ones.
“Everything will be alright,” River whispered compassionately.
Star opened her mouth before closing it. She nodded once before turning to look back out the window at the blurred images of buildings and people going about their daily life. She saw none of that. The only image she had in mind was of Jazin’s beautiful smile as he looked down on her after he had claimed her. A single tear escaped and coursed silently down her cheek. She refused to believe that would be her last image of him.
Chapter 6
The transport slowed as it pulled up in front of the steps to the South House. Dakar slid out quickly once it stopped. He scanned the area carefully before he stepped back far enough for River, Star and Armet to slide out. Armet took Star by the elbow while Dakar escorted River toward the steps leading to the front entrance. Torak and Ajaska were standing at the top, waiting. Torak immediately descended the steps when he saw River. He drew her into his arms, holding her tightly against him. Ajaska looked sadly down at Star. He opened his huge arms for her without saying a word. Star shook her head in denial even as she slowly climbed the steps. Her heart beat erratically as she stopped in front of him and looked up. She stared at Ajaska for a brief moment before stepping into his embrace as uncontrollable shivers began coursing through her.
“Please tell me he is okay,” she begged in a voice thick with tears. “Please tell me he isn’t…. he isn’t….” She turned her face into the warm muscular chest and fought unsuccessfully to control the sob that was trying to escape.
Grief pulled at Ajaska as he held the tiny mate of his youngest son in his arms. Pain and sorrow poured through him as he felt her fear and disbelief. He and Torak had just received word that Jazin’s fighter had been destroyed while returning from the Uri Spaceport. Initial reports say that it had exploded shortly after leaving the popular refueling station. The unofficial report states the fighter was believed to have been damaged when a short-haul freighter came in to quickly and struck it.
“I’m so sorry, my daughter,” Ajaska murmured as he ran his hand over the silky, blond strands. “He did not suffer,” Ajaska reassured her even as his eyes closed as pain swept through him.
“NO!” Star’s muffled cry of pain and grief poured out from the center of her soul.
Ajaska caught her as she collapsed, sobs tearing at her tiny body until he feared she would harm herself as she shook. He picked her up in his arms and turned to enter the South House, heading toward medical. Star’s wretched sobs echoed as he moved through the silent corridors. Torak followed, holding River’s weeping figure protectively against his body. His own face twisted with grief as he followed his father.
*.*.*
Star sat in the chair by the window, staring out at the gardens with unseeing eyes. It had been a little over a week since Ajaska told her that Jazin had been killed. She remembered very little of the first few days. A numbness had settled around her. She knew what was going on but she was more of a ghost observing everything from the outside instead of being a participant. She didn’t remember eating, drinking, or sleeping. She knew who came and who went but that was all. She didn’t respond to anyone; not even to River who came daily to spend time with her.
“Star, try to drink some of this,” River was saying as she held a cup out to her. “It is a broth that will help you keep your strength up.”
Star fought down the bile that rose at the smell of the liquid. She turned her head slightly away from the smell. She heard River’s sigh and the sound of the cup being set down on the table. In the background, she heard someone knocking on the outer doors. The knocking became more persistent until River finally released a muttered oath and stood up to answer it.
Star heard muffled voices from the other room before footsteps echoed quietly against the tiled floors. She didn’t know who had come to visit. She didn’t care. She was waiting. For what, she didn’t know for sure. Perhaps for the numbness to wear off. Perhaps for someone to say there was a mistake and Jazin hadn’t been killed. Perhaps for death so she couldn’t feel the mind-numbing pain that was eating away at her. She didn’t know and really didn’t care. She would sit here and wait.