Illiam

by Mel Braxton

VIII

  Elysa approached the starship from the back of the aeluri. She straightened her spine, allowing her hips to sway in his rhythm. She’d cleaned her jumpsuit to the best of her ability, but knew the patches showed. She was far from the woman she’d been when Ulani had last seen her.

  She had sized up the starship as it landed and was satisfied to see it was large enough to meet Elysa’s—and Illiam’s—needs.

  Her heart pulsed with excitement. Finally, she could learn what had happened to Ulani. Elysa didn’t know what could happen between them, but hoped that, in the very least, they could be friends. Elysa would need a friend in the months to come.

  She guessed Ulani would have a lot to say, she usually did when she was nervous. Elysa couldn’t wait to hear her speak again. Even if everything was bad news, it would still be spoken by Ulani.

  Regardless of what had changed between them, Elysa had one favor to ask. And it wasn’t a small request.

  The aeluri was coming with her.

  He was part of Illiam, just as Illiam was part of him. And Illiam wanted to see the world beyond his planet.

  Illiam wasn’t sure what would happen when the aeluri left. When he’d sent the mouse with the last starship, he’d lost contact with it, never hearing from it again.

  Elysa and Illiam had developed a few theories. Maybe the mouse had vanished, or maybe it had gone wild. But they hoped that the mouse still acted as a fraction of Illiam, that if it returned to the planet it could tell Illiam of its adventures. And, maybe, the aeluri could learn to communicate with others, as he had done with Elysa.

  If this went according to plan, Illiam could reach out beyond his world. The aeluri would become his first ambassador.

  But if they were wrong, the starship would need to contain a wild aeluri, and Elysa may have to kill the cat after all. In that case, Elysa would need to represent Illiam without his guidance.

  Elysa had warned Illiam of entering society. She told him how community could be dangerous, and that sometimes it really was better to be left alone. But Illiam said he was done with isolation and would take the consequences.

  Elysa hoped he was right and, of all damned things, prayed she had prepared him for his next adventure.

  The starship’s airlock began to slide open, and Elysa’s heart pounded.

  A woman stepped from the airlock. Ulani. Elysa jumped from Illiam’s back and ran to her.

  It was impossible for Elysa to know the future. She didn’t know what would happen between her and Ulani. Nor did she know Illiam’s future. Maybe she would have the power to choose, but maybe there would be no options.

  Regardless, Elysa ran to embrace the unknown.

  Author’s Note

  Thank you! You’ve turned that final page, and I want to say how happy I am that you’ve decided to read this little story. You make me an author.

  I can’t begin to explain how ecstatic I am that this little book exists. The concept of a planet named Illiam had been stuck in my mind long before I could bring it to life.

  Acknowledgments are clearly in order. Alicia—for a million things. Josh—for the second million. Ryan for being an amazing early reader. And Suzanne for telling me that the early draft was missing hope.

  Happy reading,

  Mel Braxton

  If you liked this and want more. You can find me online:

  Website: [melbraxton.com]

  Facebook: [@MeleneBraxton]

  Instagram: [@MeleneBraxton]

  Newsletter: [http://bit.ly/melbraxton]