All four O’Garas flinched at my inadvertent reference to Elana but rather than apologize, I forged on. “Anyway, the Healers don’t have any experience at all with anyone graell bonded, like Rigel and I are.”
“Were,” Sean corrected me. “That serum you got—”
“Relieved our worst symptoms from being separated. And yeah, when I first got to Jewel, I thought maybe it had undone our bond. But…it didn’t.”
For Sean’s sake, I tried not to look as happy as I felt about that, but his eyes still pinched at the edges. “You’re sure that isn’t just wishful thinking? I know how much you—”
“Yes. I’m sure. Since I got back, Rigel and I have both felt the same pull as when we first met last fall. It got to where neither of us could ignore it and now, as of today, our bond seems as strong as ever. And it’s healing Rigel’s memory.” It would be cruel to tell Sean that kissing was what completed our re-bonding, but I added, “He remembers me now, remembers us. And…we’re back together.”
Sean gave a terse nod and looked away, his pain slightly tempered by resignation. But Mrs. O leaned forward, frowning.
“Excellency, this is most unwise. Remember, it was your relationship with Rigel Stuart that very nearly prevented your Acclamation. Clearly, the Council had good reason to insist—”
“The Council can’t insist I do anything now,” I reminded her sharply. “Nor am I bound by any promises I made to them last year, after they betrayed my trust so completely by agreeing to Rigel’s memory wipe.”
I sent an accusing glare at Mr. O, who averted his eyes.
“I played by their stupid rules, pretending to break up with Rigel. I stopped the Grentl from destroying Nuath. And look what happened anyway! If it wasn’t for our bond, Rigel would probably have lost that year of his life permanently, and for what? For being a political inconvenience? You know as well as I do that nothing in Nuathan law or tradition sanctioned what was done to him. Rigel and I are together now and I have no intention of pretending otherwise, ever again.”
There was a short, strained silence, then Mr. O’Gara spoke up. “What, exactly, has Rigel remembered so far, Excellency? Even you must admit there are certain things it would be, ah, safer he not recall.”
I wasn’t about to admit any such thing. “No matter what he eventually remembers, Rigel is no security risk. Unlike, say, Gordon Nolan. I don’t suppose anyone has managed to track him down yet? He was supposedly living in Dun Cloch, but when I was there last month, no one seemed to know where he was or when he’d be back.”
Mrs. O shook her head. “I called my brother as you requested, Excellency, as he and Gordon used to be friends. But all Allister could tell me was that Gordon had gone to visit family out west somewhere.”
Maybe that’s all Allister would tell her, but I was willing to bet he could tell a lot more, if he chose. When I’d met with him briefly in Montana, he’d given off all kinds of negative, deceptive vibes. I was sure if Mrs. O spoke with him in person, her ability would immediately tell her he was lying. But this wasn’t the time to fling accusations I couldn’t prove.
“My point is that Rigel is no more of a threat now, to me or anyone, than he was last year. Even before he remembered our bond, he kept that anti-Royal goon from snapping my neck Friday night. You know Cormac couldn’t have gotten there in time.”
None of them could dispute that, though I could tell they wanted to.
“I’ll, ah, need to inform the Council about this,” Mrs. O finally said.
“That’s fine. They can tell everyone that Rigel has been reinstated as my Bodyguard or they can just tell the truth that we’re graell bonded and fated to be together. But neither you nor they are going to tell me I can’t be with Rigel. Not anymore.”
Though disapproval still came off her in waves, she managed a deferential nod. “As you wish, Excellency.”
I knew this wouldn’t be the end of it, though. At this Saturday’s Council meeting they’d probably all join forces to “reason” with me. Not that any possible argument would change my mind.
“Speaking of the Council, was Kyna able to convince Nara to come back, as I suggested?”
Mrs. O seemed relieved at the change of topic. “She was. Which means we now need add only one Council member.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Though I wished Nuathan law would let me dissolve the Council completely, I’d always liked Nara—easily the Council member most sympathetic to me. “Has Kyna suggested another Scientist or other fine representative to serve?”
“Not yet, though she may have a report Saturday.” Mrs. O hesitated, then added, “Though, as Malcolm pointed out, the law does not specifically preclude five Royal members. If not Devyn Kane, then perhaps—”
“No.” A four-person majority was already bad enough. “I’ve asked Shim for recommendations, too. You all were saying last weekend that our biggest need right now, with all these new settlements, is a more robust Echtran communication system, since MARSTAR was only designed for important bulletins. Maybe someone else from Informatics, like Shim, would be a good choice.”
Which suddenly gave me an idea—but one I probably shouldn’t mention until I’d had time to think it through. “We can talk more about this during Saturday’s meeting. Anyway, I told my aunt that Molly and I were going to work on our Government project tonight, so we should probably do at least a little of that.”
“Oh. Um, sure.” Molly got up, glancing uncertainly at her parents. “Here, or in my room?”
Mr. and Mrs. O’Gara stood as well. “We’ll clear out so you two can work. And yes, Excellency, we’ll talk again on Saturday. I look forward to it.” She sketched a little half-bow that her husband echoed more deeply and they both left the room.
Sean didn’t. He sat on the corner of the couch, brooding a little and reading—or pretending to read—his own Government book. So even though I had the impression Molly wanted to talk more about my news, we stuck strictly to schoolwork for the next half hour. When we reached a good stopping point, I stood.
“Guess I’ll head back. I still have a little other homework to do.” That wasn’t true, but I did want to check my omni to see if Shim had responded to my message.
Now Sean finally got up, too. “So that’s it? You just wanted to give my folks a heads-up that you and Rigel are getting back together?” His jaw jutted out, his lips pressed together in a tight line—the way I did mine when I was trying to keep them from quivering.
“And you. I…knew you’d find out soon but I really did want you to hear it from me first.”
He shrugged, but I could still feel his hurt.
“Walk me home?” I suggested on impulse, even though I knew Cormac would be out there somewhere, watching and waiting.
Sean blinked at me, frowning, then nodded. “Yeah, sure.”
I said good night to Molly and he and I headed outside and down the street together. When we were nearly to my house, I blurted out, “I’m sorry, Sean. I know this isn’t easy for you. Even though you’ve been doing all you could to, um, help.”
Sean shrugged again, not looking at me—or touching me. “It’s what I promised to do. Looks like it worked even better than either of us expected. And quicker. Guess I didn’t—”
“I know. I’m not sure I expected it either, though I was probably hoping for it a lot more than you were. No! That’s not an accusation,” I added quickly, at his look. “If anything, it makes everything you’ve done that much more…noble. You were determined to do the right thing, even knowing it wasn’t what you’d have chosen. I wanted to thank you. Again.”
He lifted a shoulder, his mouth twisting into something that was half grimace, half smile. “Guess being a hero isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, huh?”
“No. In fact, it kind of sucks. But…it can pay off in the end. It has for me, anyway. And for Rigel. It will for you, too, Sean.”
“Yeah. Maybe someday.” He gave a mirthless laugh. “Meanwhile I’ll try, really try, to be
happy for you. For both of you.”
The pain I felt from him made me want to cry but I forced a smile instead. “Thanks, Sean. Goodnight.”
24
Ambient interference
Molly usually got a ride to school with one of the other cheerleaders these days, or with Sean and one of his basketball buddies who had a car. But this morning she was waiting at the bus stop, her expression serious.
“Hey, what’s up?”
She gave a little shrug. “Things are a little…tense at home after last night. Mum’s pretty upset and Sean…” She trailed off with another shrug.
“I’m sorry. But I’ve been honest with him about Rigel all along, you know that.”
“I know. It’s just…awkward. Because I really am happy for you, even if I feel bad for Sean and my parents keep arguing about it.”
“Thanks, Molly. They’ll get used to the idea, you’ll see. Even if it takes a while.”
A couple of other kids reached our corner then, so we switched to talking about homework. At least until Bri and Deb got on the bus at their stop a few minutes later.
“Is it true?” were Bri’s first words, spoken loudly enough for half the bus to hear. “You and Rigel are back together? Katie mentioned it online last night, then Sara called to say Jenna saw you two kissing right outside the late buses! Tell us everything!”
She and Deb plopped into the seat across the aisle from Molly and me, excitedly waiting for me to spill.
“Um, yeah, it’s true.” Shim’s reply last night had suggested Rigel and I be careful but he hadn’t asked me to keep it secret, like I’d worried he might. “We talked yesterday and, well, he suddenly started remembering stuff. Including me.” I couldn’t suppress my grin, it was still so unbelievably wonderful.
They both squealed. “This’ll show Trina.” Deb was grinning, too. “I was worried she might really convince him— No chance of that now!”
“I don’t think there ever was.” Bri snorted. “They sit by me in French and it’s pretty obvious he’s figured out what she really is. But this is awesome news, M! Really awesome!”
Deb nodded enthusiastically, but then she sobered a little, looking past me at Molly. “Is Sean okay with it?”
“Mostly.” Molly lifted a shoulder. “It’s not like he and M were still together. Maybe don’t talk to him about it right away, though?”
“No, of course not.” Deb’s blue eyes were wide with sympathy. “And we’ll be extra nice to him, won’t we, Bri?”
While they plotted how to take Sean’s mind off any lingering hurt he might be feeling, I took the opportunity to reach out for Rigel with my mind.
I’m here, he responded immediately. Just got off the bus. I’ll wait for you out front.
The O’Garas all know now. About us, I mean. Did you tell your folks?
He didn’t answer, which made me worry he hadn’t. Then we reached the school and I saw the gaggle of girls surrounding him, which totally explained his lack of response. As soon as I was off the bus, some of them converged on me as well, chattering away.
“Rigel says he’s getting his memory back!” “Are you two really back together?” “What about Sean? And Trina?”
I let Bri and Deb do most of the answering, I was in such a hurry to get to Rigel.
“I missed you, too,” he murmured as we twined hands and greeted each other with a kiss. Which had to be quick and discreet, since Cormac—Mr. Cormac to everybody else—was looking our way. Not that he’d dare reprimand me, but anyone else would at least get a throat-clearing.
Just like it always used to, Rigel’s touch infused me with strength, energy and happiness. Especially happiness. I smiled up at him. “This fall is going to be even better than last fall—because this time we won’t be waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
“Yeah. But boy, when that one fell, it fell hard.” He grimaced, remembering everything we’d gone through, being forced to hide our feelings.
“Hey, there are only two shoes to a pair, right? Cormac will find out if we still have any enemies out there and take care of them, and then it’ll be smooth sailing.”
Even if it’s not, together we can handle anything, he sent silently.
We can. I feel that way whenever I’m with you.
We were besieged by more questions as we headed into the school but when the warning bell sounded, the crowd around us finally dissipated. Hand in hand, we walked to our first class.
So, did you tell your folks last night? I asked again as we reached the door.
Yeah, I did. They said they were happy, but I could tell they’re worried.
The O’Garas didn’t even pretend, but that’s tough. Well, Molly really is happy for us and Sean’s doing his best, but—
Yeah. I could tell that bothered Rigel nearly as much as it bothered me.
Though we had to pay some attention in our classes, we took advantage of our enhanced telepathic ability to talk off and on all morning, even from opposite ends of the school.
Little by little, I caught Rigel up on everything that had happened over the summer: my appearances all over Nuath to talk up emigration, how Shim was already winning people over as Regent and getting more competent people to stand for elections, my trip to Earth on the Scintilla, the very last ship of the launch window.
Then I told him about how I’d had to go around making speeches and official visits once I got back, first in Bailerealta, then Dun Cloch and three other settlements scattered around the U.S.—one in Maine and two in the Rockies. Others were forming in New Zealand, Australia and Scotland, which I was also supposed to visit eventually, if we could figure out how to arrange it without making my aunt and uncle suspicious.
I can’t believe they’re not suspicious already. Mrs. O must really have your aunt bamboozled, huh?
Yeah, Aunt Theresa pretty much believes anything she says. That was sometimes a problem last year, but it can be pretty handy.
As long as she doesn’t convince her to forbid you to see me again. That would suck.
She wouldn’t dare. I don’t think. But I should probably order her not to, to be safe. I was way more comfortable giving orders to grownups these days than I used to be.
At lunch, Rigel and I both had the idea—at the same time—to go to the courtyard. I loved that we were so in tune again. We each bought a sandwich, then headed outside, ignoring the heads that turned our way, since that had been happening all day.
It was hot in the enclosed courtyard compared to the cornfield yesterday, but it was worth it for a chance to be truly alone for half an hour.
“Not as invisible, though.” Rigel glanced at the glass doors into the school, where we could see people walking past in the hall. “Hope we can go back there—or someplace else really private—soon.”
“Me too.” As soon as we had our sandwiches unwrapped, I again threaded my fingers through his. “It’s strange, but…do your senses seem even sharper when we’re together?”
He nodded. “I was just going to mention I can hear people’s conversations from inside the school. It’s kind of distracting. I didn’t notice it in class earlier, even when we were sitting just a few feet apart. Did you?”
Taking a bite of my sandwich, I shook my head. “Maybe we have to be touching?”
“Let’s test it.”
Rigel released my hand and scooted an inch or two away so we weren’t touching at all—and sure enough, the voices beyond the doors were now muted.
“I can still hear them if I concentrate,” I told him, “but not like they’re right here.”
“Ditto.” He frowned. “We need to figure out how to block this unless we need to use it. Because I sure don’t want to not touch you just to avoid sensory overload.”
Touching you is sensory overload all by itself, I couldn’t resist sending. Let’s eat, then experiment.
Rigel grinned and stuffed half a sandwich into his mouth with a mostly-mental chuckle.
Eager to test this interesting n
ew “power,” we scarfed down our lunches, then grabbed hands again. Instantly, the volume of voices around us rose—not just from the other side of the glass doors, but from behind the brick walls of the courtyard, too.
“Can you block it out at all?” I asked, squinting as I tried.
He shook his head. “Not yet. Let me try something.”
Because we were so in sync, I realized he was attempting to zero in on just one conversation. I did the same, picking a different one—Mr. Morrison giving Bobby Jeeter detention. The more I focused, the more I was able to isolate just those voices. The others were still there, but they weren’t as overwhelming.
After about five minutes, we unclasped our hands. I immediately missed Rigel’s touch but the muting of the voices was a relief.
“This could come in handy.” Rigel regarded me thoughtfully. “Especially if we get better at controlling it.”
I shrugged. Since I doubted there were any serious threats looming that would make it necessary, I was way more interested in finding a way to block it out so Rigel and I could hold hands…and stuff…without being bombarded. “We should head to class. The warning bell will ring any minute.”
Pausing to throw our trash in the can by the doors, we went back inside—only to be confronted by Cormac.
“Miss Truitt, Mr. Stuart, will you come with me, please?”
Over his shoulder, I saw Trina smirking. She’d obviously tattled on us—not that eating lunch in the courtyard was strictly against any school rules. If I’d focused on that conversation, I’d know exactly what she’d told him.
* * *
Without a word, we followed Cormac to his office. He closed the door then turned to us, his frown now a worried one.
“Excellency, it is not my place to criticize or instruct you, but it is my place to keep you safe. Am I correct in assuming you two have resumed your prior relationship?”
I nodded. “As of yesterday afternoon. Rigel has his memory back, Cormac!” His eyebrows went up. “Because of our bond,” I clarified.
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