Andrew’s spicy fried chicken was not better than sex. But it was pretty damned close. As Lucas devoured his fourth piece of dark meat, Andrew could assume his lover agreed. “Union with me.”
Lucas stopped before taking his next bite and blinked at Andrew. It was one of the few times he could tell he’d caught Lucas completely off guard. It was worthy of a smile.
Andrew said, “I mean it. I want to spend the rest of Eternity with you, and since you’ve spent most of yours seeing to the happiness of others, it’s about damned time someone took care of you for a change.”
On this gorgeous beach, beside all this sparkling water, under the clearest blue sky, Lucas said, “Yes.”
“It’s about time.”
Sweet, lovable Sagan.
Andrew barked out a laugh as she plopped down on the blanket beside them. She said, “I thought I would have to drop you two on some isolated planet or something to get you to finally ask.”
Lucas shook his head incredulously and kissed the Seamswalker on the cheek. He admonished, “You have no sense of timing, my darling.”
Rayne joined in. “We’ve no sense of timing? I just rejoined the Shadow, and I’ve been waiting on the edge of my seat for this moment.”
Ross gestured at Sagan and Rayne. “Shoo, you two. You’re ruining it.” To Andrew and Lucas, she said, “Please proceed.” Before resuming her position as an eavesdropping spectator among the other picnicking snoops.
In fact, everyone’s eyes were on Andrew and Lucas. Even Korac glanced over from his bite of Tameka’s sweet potato mash.
The gorge was Tameka, Sagan, Rayne, Kyle, and Andrew’s secret place, and they were happy to share it with their siblings and lovers. The Progeny and their partners were dispersed across blankets scattered with food at the edge of the water. Devis, T.a.o., Andrius, Aria, and Torch had packed supplies for games. Ross, Jack, and Bethany sat beside Rayne and Nox. Kyle and Silence were right there with Andrew and Lucas. Pax, Tameka, and Xelan sat closest to the coolers, dispensing the food. Sagan and Korac tended the bonfire. They were one big, happy family.
Stolen story; please report.
Except…
“Where’s Echo?” Andrew was happy to change the subject.
As if Lucas sensed it, he scooted closer to Andrew and tucked the younger man against his side. Comfort.
Sagan glanced at Korac, who answered, “Karter asked for a little extra time, and since you were successful in reviving the black sheep of the family, Sagan and I will drop by to donate our experiences. Isn’t that right, Story Taker?”
Kyle winced at the name. “I think your contributions will do the trick.”
Nox confessed, “Out of the thousands we’re rehabilitating, I’ve never known someone not to scream.”
Rayne patted Nox on the knee. “I think it was the right thing to bring Razor back. Before he sacrificed himself to save all of you, he asked to save Nox, too. Not to mention, his dossier was instrumental in tracking down the last of Imminent.”
A quiet fell over the group as they considered the gravity of the situation. When resurrection was possible, what were the limitations of redemption? On the other hand, the whisper of Razor’s intentions disturbed Andrew. Was ambition simply in Razor’s nature? Then maybe his intentions weren’t cause for alarm.
“Hey! It’s Miy and Twenty-One!” Xelan interrupted the silence with so much enthusiastic joy that it immediately infected Andrew. Xelan spoke into his palm device. “Just let me tweak it a bit and…”
Miy and Twenty-One appeared in his palm.
Twenty-One waved to the group. “Hello. We’ve successfully arrived at the coordinates Tumu provided, and we’ve discovered something worth sharing.”
Miy was smiling, and that was cause for alarm. “Are you ready for this?”
Everyone gathered around, and Xelan said, “Go ahead.”
Twenty-One adjusted the projection to include their background and…
Holy.
Shit.
The glass ship was in view, but beyond it were towering spires, hovering crafts, and hundreds of Tritans lined up for the shot.
Male and female.
Xelan asked into the device, “Tumu, are you getting this?”
Tuned into the call, the old Primary choked before clearing his throat to say, “Yeah. Lam and I can see it.”
Miy held up a finger as she walked backward toward a Tritan with robes more elegant than the others. It marked him as some kind of leader. Into the projection, Miy said, “It gets better.” To the Tritan, she asked, “Sir, can you give us your message again?”
The Tritan was a wash of the palest blue, implying he was older. He gazed with cataract voids into the projection as he spoke with a voice meant for public speaking. “Primary Maker, please return home. We have waited eons for you, Tumu.”
As Xelan recoiled, taken aback, Miy put her face back in the projection. She was obviously delighted by their reaction. Who didn’t love drama? “Now, isn’t that interesting, your imperial majesty?”
Lucas choked on a forkful of mashed potatoes, and everyone turned their heads to look at him. Complicity yellowed his face in an adorable, yet damnable flush.
Andrew laughed.
No matter how long they’d be together, life with Lucas would never get old.