by SJ Moquin
Jexxa wore her favorite aqua dress, the one she’d purchased for her the previous year, even though she could have her pick of items from the marketplace once word got out she was actually the princess of her people. She never let the adoration from the Nova-Zerans change the way she acted. Still soft-spoken, Jexxa visited often including today with members of her own council as honored guests.
Word had spread quick there were natives on Varax after the incident with Wyn Maxon the year before. But instead of being terrified, thanks to the Zanareens help in the battle, word they were allies and friends to her people also spread helping the settlement accept them as part of their new home world. Jexxa’s people voted unanimously to help the people of Nova-Zera and future arrivals learn how to live peacefully on Varax, how to listen should anyone be chosen. So far it had only been her, but she was alright with that. It was a huge responsibility to be chosen by Varax. She’d been learning how to control and balance the calling with Sarenn’s help these past several months.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Hmmm?” Gwelle asked.
“I asked what you were thinking about so deeply you hadn’t heard a word I’d been saying,” Raiden teased, his arm wrapping around her waist to pull her closer.
“Last year,” Gwelle whispered not wanting the others chatting and laughing to overhear.
“Gwelle…”
“I know. I know. You worry. I promise only happy thoughts this time.” After almost losing him, she’d been a bit despondent for the coming weeks until all was better. Until the nightmares of Wyn Maxon murdering everyone she loved eventually ceased. She credits Varax with most of it. As her link with the planet grew, the pain had faded, and she’d learned to channel her thoughts better.
Even though Jexxa and she had saved his life with help of Varax’s lifeforce, it’d still taken one surgery and a few weeks recovery for his arm to be fully restored. Jexxa had explained Varax lent its lifeforce to help save Raiden at the time he was shot and bleeding out. But it wasn’t a miracle, his body still had to heal. She thought of it as a patch to stop the worse from happening until they could get him back to Nova-Zera. Either way, without Jexxa helping her out there he wouldn't be here tonight. So, to her, it had been a miracle.
“Happy enough thoughts to dance with me?” Raiden asked as music filled the clearing. She nodded letting him lead her to the makeshift dance floor where many couples were already swaying and laughing. Raiden spun her away and back in, their feet keeping time with the music through a few songs, no words needed between them as they gave themselves over to the rhythm.
“She looks happy,” Raiden whispered, following Gwelle’s gaze as they walked off to one side to rest a half hour later.
“She is,” Gwelle replied. Nia Airda laughed up into the tall man’s face whose arms held her as they danced.
“Who would have thought your mom and the commander, huh?” Lark spoke up having walked up as they spoke.
“I know, but somehow it just feels right,” Gwelle replied. Her mother and Corsin had only started seeing each other a few weeks ago, but she could tell this was real. Nia hadn’t grieved over Maxon. Not in the literal sense at least. She’d felt used and hurt for a while but not long. Corsin had thrown himself into public relations with the Zanareens and preparing for the two incoming starships, Venture and Liberty, which would be arriving in the upcoming weeks to make settlements twenty klicks south-west of Nova-Zera. One day while Nia and Corsin were working together something changed, Gwelle had seen it for herself, and she couldn’t be happier for both of them.
“It really does. I’m happy for them,” Raiden beamed. Loud laughing drew their attention away from the dancing couple. The older grey-haired man seated near the edge of the clearing, laughing over some joke his Zanareen friends told. It was strange seeing Jefferson even after all these months. Each day he’d been in Nova-Zera bits and pieces of his memory returned. He wasn’t the man he used to be when they were children, but he lived a happy, useful life here. He helped where he could, living with Raiden for the time being.
“Mind if I steal my girl for a bit?” Knox chirped not waiting for a reply as he whisked Lark away, twirling her to the beat of the music. Raiden laughed pulling Gwelle close against him. So much had happened over the past year, since the deaths of Maxon and the other deserters, but much was the same. Raiden’s strong arms were the same, as were his lips as he leaned down capturing hers in a tender kiss despite the crowd around them. And so was the emerald gaze he leveled at her full of adoration. But his heart, his love, was more. Much more. They’d grown closer over the past months. More in love than ever.
“I love you, Gwelle Airda.”
“Seems like I’ve heard that a few times before,” the dark-haired girl teased.
“You growing tired of me already?” Raiden quirked one brow up in jest.
“Never,” she whispered leaning closer.
“Good, because I had plans.”
“Plans? Like real plans? I always thought you the spontaneous one.”
“Oh, no. That title goes to you, Beautiful.” His deep chuckle vibrated through her.
“What type of plans?”
“Oh, you know. The happily-ever-after kind. White picket fence and a dozen kids.” Gwelle’s heart leaped as she remembered the holodeck version of happily-ever-after they played as kids. A tinkling laugh bubbled up at the thought.
“That does sound like plans. Do I know the girl you want to share this fairy tale with?”
“I hope so. She’s a stubborn minx, but I think I can talk her into it, say... in a couple years or so?”
“She can’t wait,” Gwelle whispered leaning up to press another kiss to Raiden’s lips.
“She’ll have to wait just a bit longer. I’ll be much more impressive once I get this upcoming promotion.”
“I love you, Raiden Vargas.”
“Always?”
“Always.”
“Good. Never forget it,” the dark-haired boy who’d owned her heart most of her life teased, pulling her into a deep embrace as Varax’s two moons shone bright on them. She wouldn’t forget. Ever. This moment, this promise, was definitely something worth remembering.
THE END
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