{Cinder}

Tameka folded her arms and glared at the back of Kyle’s head as he retreated back to Silence. “I can’t believe Kyle left his sisters like that.”

Xelan humphed. “Well, at least some things don’t change. You still don’t care for him.”

She winced. She did that a lot today. How much of Kyle’s treachery mattered enough to mention anymore? Should she wait until things settled, and they could discuss everything in one sitting? Xelan missed two years, but the most overwhelming events took place in the month after his death and over the most recent month.

Tameka would put off the long talk and only voice her current trepidations. “It’s just that his sisters were missing. One of them for two years. Why wouldn’t he want to spend time with them?”

As was his way, Xelan advocated for Kyle. “He looked overwhelmed. And that was before he saw me and realized everyone was here in this one space. I’m more curious about meeting the woman that stayed in his room. Your description of her reminds me of old Icarean folktales.”

She nodded to Pax over on the palettes. “We could both use a story if you’re willing to share—”

“Hey, royal couple, I’ve got another stressful reveal that can’t wait.” Tumu approached alone. Lamassau and Bones fought over the last strip of bacon while Twenty-One examined a banana with amusing suspicion.

Xelan tucked Tameka closer to his side. She was happy to comfort him. The Prince sighed heavily with a glance at the chaos. “I want to spend time with my son, Officer of the Third, but it’ll have to wait until we work out this mess.”

The Tritan locked eyes with Tameka so intensely that it startled her. “Forgive me.”

Oh, this was not starting out well.

He continued, “But I ran some tests on Pax’s DNA. Xelan, did you know that you’re half Tritan?”

The Primary. The evil Primary from Nox’s Verse. That’s what Rayne redacted. “Oh, my god…”

They both looked at her, and she gazed back, astonished. “Nox knew.” She eyed Tumu with something less than friendliness, since he ran tests on her son without her permission. Deciding she could trust him, she explained to Xelan, “While you were… gone. Before Rayne killed him, Nox wrote this book.”

“His Verse.” Xelan reached into a white pillowcase from the pile of packed provisions and withdrew a redacted copy.

“Right. He wrote that for Rayne.”

If looks could kill. Darkness cast over Xelan’s eyes. Then there was the hurt shock on Tumu’s face. Tameka shrugged at the Tritan she wasn’t always honest with. “We didn’t hide it. Jack’s been reading from it in his Story Circles for the last two years.”

“But you never said it was from Nox.” The Tritan sounded genuinely hurt.

Xelan pinched between his eyes. “Sorry, can we please press on? I might need to lie down soon.”

Fair point. “He wrote his entire life and what he knew of yours. A Primary haunted your family all this time. He performed great feats but mostly tortured Nox.”

Xelan’s eyes narrowed slightly at that. “This Primary seduced my mother?”

Tameka winced again. “I wouldn’t use those words. I promise it will come easier if you read it. But yes. It was the Primary. And thanks to Pehton we now know it’s Rem. He goes by—”

“Remorse.” Tumu clenched his jaw and ground out, “He’s with Imminent? You’re certain about this?!”

Tameka nodded firmly.

“This confirms everything I’ve ever suspected of him. Including the cause for my demotions.”

She touched the Tritan’s arm and beseeched him, “What does this mean for Pax?”

Concern written on his face, Xelan gazed at Tumu with her.

Tumu let them down with a shrug. “This is all unprecedented. Increased intelligence is already prevalent. Varied growth rates. His adorable traits are obviously Tritan-based.”

She deflated. Utterly deadpanned. He wished.

Xelan cupped her cheek. “I think it’s safe to say that we don’t know, but you’ve done a fantastic job getting him this far. We can carry this torch from here together.”

“Wingmaster?” Jack called from the bottom of the ramp.

Tameka loved the way Xelan reflexively broke into a warm grin when he said, “Little Jack Callahan. Always stealing pocket change from his sister for a pack of cigarettes. I hear you’re King Regent of Earth these days.”

The young man flushed on his way up to them. She hoped with pride. He came a long way from the boy who used to peep at her. Although, she swore to never mention that story again.

Jack shoved out a hand as he said, “I know I speak for all of us, especially Rayne, when I say we’re so fucking glad to have you back.”

Xelan glanced at the hand before pulling the seventeen-year-old in by the shoulders for a hug. Meant for Jack only, but Tameka was nosy. He softly assured, “She’s so proud of you. I know. Because she trusted you with this. And don’t you worry. We’ll find Batman like Ross found Bethany. Like Tameka found me. No one is lost for long.”

A big sniffle erupted from the young man. Some people could hug a person in a way that reminded them of being safe and small. All the stress of the world melted away in their arms and the sound of their heart beating.

Xelan gave the best hugs.

The Prince whispered to the King Regent, “It’s okay to cry, but we’re leaders. We wait until there’s no one around so they don’t worry. You and me? We’re about to meet with Tumu, Lucas, and Iuo about getting our family to safety. Can you do that, Jack?”

“Yeah.” Sniff. “I can do that.”

As if already summoned, Iuo waited with Tumu down the ramp. Lucas crossed the pit with Andrew. The room buzzed with energy. Everyone knew Enki was coming—

Caedes caught Tameka’s gaze. John dragged him around from one social cluster to the next. It was obvious why. Although the Icarus was always gruff, she never saw him so miserable. Down and crestfallen. He smiled gently for her and placed a fist to his chest, expressing his secondhand gratitude. That counted for something.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

She smiled at him. It only broadened as Pax ran to his “uncle’s” side. He pounded his tiny fist to his chest and beamed for Caedes.

“He stayed.” Xelan sounded surprised. Which made sense. At the time Wingmaster died, The Brethren was investigating the bald Icarus for treason.

Tameka shook her head. How could anyone suspect him of possessing a single disloyal bone in his body? “Xelan, Caedes helped me raise Pax in Enki. He saved our lives when Imminent attacked the stronghold.” She laid it all out now to prevent any misunderstandings later. “He and I were never romantic, but he let me feed from him. And was kind enough to keep it clinical. He uh… he said it was because I was a redhead and he was fond of that.”

Brows up. Mouth agape. It all sunk in. Tameka watched as Xelan’s face transitioned from stunned to understanding. Even though an entire council of people gathered on that ramp, the Prince took her hand and walked with her across the chamber.

Caedes watched on, growing more and more astonished the closer they came.

There was no time to warn him, and Tameka wasn’t sure if that was necessary. Xelan stood over the bald man by a few inches. In that kilt with Sagan’s axes, he looked ready to fight. But sincerity warmed and thickened his voice. “Tameka told me.”

Pax danced around their legs and rolled between their feet.

Caedes cleared his throat and set down the plate of breakfast he’d yet to touch. “Yes. Well, I’m not expecting…”

Pax squeezed his leg. “Uncle Caeda! I found daddy. You and Uncle John wanna play with us at the new house? Gonna be big.” He spanned his arms so wide he fell back onto a mattress with an adorable cry.

Tameka wasn’t sure what to expect out of this moment, but Xelan and Caedes clasping hands was not it. And she certainly didn’t expect Xelan to answer, “Of course, he’ll be there to play, Pax. Both he and John are family.”

She borrowed Sagan’s signature move. A hand cupped to her mouth as fresh tears threatened her lashes.

Caedes nodded solemnly, with a lessened frown.

John grinned and jumped into both men, forcing them into a bear hug. “Bring it in, guys. That’s right. Feel the almost hetero, edging slightly from platonic love.”

Tameka groaned. “Fuck you, John.”

“Hey, don’t let me take away from your fantasies.” The little bastard winked as her mouth fell open.

Caedes and Xelan parted quickly to prevent any rumors. The bald man thwacked John upside the head. “Don’t you have an off switch?” Caedes turned to Tameka with eyes less sorrowed. “Talk with Pablo and Lynn. They accessed that woman’s nacre. The one that Abresson killed at the conduit? Kyle went through the memory bank. It implicates R.”

Tameka pretended not to notice Xelan watching her handle adult matters with naked admiration. It would take some getting used to. “Right. Thank you. Let’s not spread this around. I want X to learn it from us rather than some insensitive rumor mill.”

Now both men smiled at her with admiration.

Pfft. What fantasies was John talking about? “Ahem. Sagan wanted to talk to you about the dossier drive, and we need to get back to Jack. Thanks for watching Pax.”

He pointed with a mug. “I think everyone is taking turns.”

Triss.

She was awake and talking to Pax. The boy vibrated with excitement at a new person to impress between her and Bethany.

Tameka breathed, “Xelan.”

Faced with her panic, he gave her calm. “She won’t hurt him. Triss can only live with herself because, according to her own logic, her conscience is clear. She never directly hurt anyone that was undeserving.”

“I don’t understand how you can sound so cavalier about people who hurt so many others including Sagan.”

They waded through the pallets as Xelan assured, “We’ll have a long talk soon. I can explain everything then. How are you feeling, Triss?”

“Sing! Sing. I wanna hear you sing.” Pax begged while running his Iron Hope across the covers. “Teach me to whistle?”

Triss smiled at Xelan. Without looking away from Pax, she answered, “Like I’m behind enemy lines, lost Prince. Tell me, what fresh torment is in store for me?” Her voice transformed entirely for Tameka’s son. Warm and kind. “You’re a big boy. You can’t whistle, yet?”

“I can fish.”

She grinned weakly at him. “That is infinitely more useful than whistling.”

Xelan ruffled the boy’s curls. “No torment here. Sagan and Korac are honoring Razor’s last wish.”

A tear poured down her cheek, and her voice was thick from it. “Our baby?”

“That’s right. He thought of you ’til the end. He loved you, Triss. I’m sure of it.” Her breath left her on a shuddering sob, and Xelan continued, “You have a piece of him no one else ever had. Hold on to it.”

“With my last breath.”

He squeezed her shoulder and offered to Tameka’s disdain, “Do you mind watching Pax for me? Everything is snowballing, and I can’t keep track of him.”

Triss glanced at both parents. “He’s beautiful.”

Pax popped a train wheelie off Bethany’s knee. The catatonic girl gave no reaction.

“Yes, I’ll watch him. Pax, why don’t you come over here? I’ll teach you to whistle so you may scare all your fish.”

Tameka did not like this. But Xelan seemed so sure. And now they were co-parenting, which meant occasionally disagreeing over these decisions. As they left their son with a homicidal Lyrik, she voiced her concerns. “Xelan. I’m not entirely comfortable with this.”

He squeezed her hand. “I don’t blame you. What you know of Triss is awful, and a good deal of it is true. But there are things you don’t know. Like she’s great with children.”

“She advocated for child slavery.”

Xelan stopped and looked back at their son playing with her. The toddler concentrated the air from his lips until he went blue. “I will defer to you with him. You’ve done so wonderfully these last two years. I won’t undermine you.”

Giddy with oxygen deprivation, Pax giggled and fell across the cuffed Lyrik’s feet. He pretended to be a cat and pounced on his train. The weakened woman smiled and laughed softly. Still, a weight brought Triss down. Her body heavy from her loss.

All of this took place in a room filled with people capable of snapping her neck like a twig in an instant.

Pax was safe. And everyone else was about to get real busy moving the herd. Reluctantly, Tameka accepted it. “For now, it’s fine. I don’t like her, and I worry about exposing Pax to someone with her history. I’d sooner let him near Nox.”

Xelan snapped to her with a hurt frown. “Truly?”

She nodded, meaning it. “Read his Verse, and we’ll talk about it.”

“I want my axes back.”

Groaning, Tameka stomped around to find Korac waiting. Nearby, Sagan asked Andrew about some Iona-29 footage with Rayne.

Tameka gave up and gestured at Xelan. “You know what? You have Xelan for a bit. I feel you’ll keep stalking us until you have some alone time.” She joined her fellow Progeny, but kept her ears open to the conversation behind her.

Korac took the axes from Xelan. “Now that your firecracker mentions it, something is bothering me.”

Xelan raised a brow.

A quiet entered the conversation, and a tension built within it. In the meantime, Andrew confessed he gave the footage of Rayne reclaiming the Yellowstone Iona installation to Lucas for training distribution.

Sagan’s confused frowns were always so cute. “How did Razor get it?”

“I promise I’ll ask Lucas, but right now I think our plates are full. Maybe someone else pulled the footage?” Andrew squeezed her bicep. “Try not to worry about this tech shit while we’re on the verge of Tritan retaliation.”

Tameka huddled them in together. “We never stop getting into trouble.”

Sagan smiled. “You’re right.”

They both perked up when from behind they heard Korac ask Xelan, “Did you let Razor seduce you before or after you knew we were brothers?”

Andrew’s eyes grew enormous, and they all quieted to listen.

Xelan’s casual honesty over his relationship with the Pain Curator surprised everyone. “After-ish.”

Tameka rolled her eyes like she did anytime she agreed with Korac. “Knowing what I went through? Raised in that prison, you still—”

“I was angry with you for choosing Nox over me. Yes. I did.”

Heavy stuff. Andrew shook his head as if he lived enough of this in the Probability Matrix.

The former General sounded bewildered and exhausted. “I overheard Tameka say she wants you to read Nox’s Verse. Get back to me when you finish. For that matter, get back to me when you finish reading mine.”

Xelan sounded equally overwhelmed. “You wrote one?”

“No, but it’s the very next thing I’ll do. Sagan, you still want to help with that, right?” Even with Tameka’s back to Korac, she heard the smirk in his voice, despite some of his residual censure with the Icarean Prince.

The Progeny caught eavesdropping. Sagan sheepishly agreed, “Uh. Yes. I’d love to.”

A little exasperated, Xelan put his hands on his hips. “Excellent. I’ll read it. Until then, I need to get these people to some shelter. Excuse us.”

Tameka squeezed her family before breaking away and joining Xelan at the top of the ramp. Accompanied by Tumu, Iuo, and Lucas, he whispered to Jack, who flushed again. But this time with pride.

Rayne’s little brother stepped up and announced, “We’re relocating to the safe house on Reipon. We’ll decide how to best approach evacuating the remaining Icari once we’re settled and safe. Everyone, pack everything and anything. It’s a big villa. Plenty of room. Tumu and Xelan are in charge of the tech migrations. Iuo and myself will organize people into groups. Lucas will arrange the provisions. Everybody helps. Any questions?”

“Yeah. When does Xelan plan to put on a shirt?”

Tameka groaned at Kyle’s re-emergence and side-eyed the absence of Silence.