Tumu and Lamassau were waiting at the door. A non-brow was raised on Tumu's face, and Lam simply blurted, "What 'who wants?'"

Jack shook his head, lighter and laughing easier than before.

Without answering the rude Tritan, I said, "Come on in, fellas."

The only green Tritan—the Chef—perched his butt on the arm of a couch and folded his arms, watchful. "I'm only here to keep Tumu behaving, since he can't seem to control himself around you. After all, you two are the 'Eternal Bind.'" He rolled his voids.

Tumu beamed at me.

Here was an important face. A heartbeat I'd recognize anywhere. Tumu emitted a special warmth of someone who understands.

"Understands what?"

Everything. About you. About how the worlds work. He gets it because he's old enough to have lived it, but unlike his fellow Primaries, Tumu learned from it all.

Sometimes, I think he would make a better Co-Emperor for Tameka than I. He was certainly more sound of mind. The only reason I never suggested it was because he's a Tritan. And after you destroyed Enki, the Tritans aren't popular. The Shadow's immediate alliance with the old race was the only thing to save them from genocide, I think—

Or perhaps I've become jaded.

Either way, Tumu is one of my favorite people in the entire galaxy.

"Tumu, you're one of my favorite people in the entire galaxy."

He pulled me in for a hug—yes, another hug—and with this one, I knew what it was like to be Tameka. My head barely came to Tumu's chest, compressed down to seven feet tall. Over his shoulder, I could see Lamassau watching us. He'd exaggerated his jealousy. The only emotion on Lam's face was kindness. He was happy for Tumu to have a friend like me.

I wonder if his opinion has changed since I told them the secret. I should really leave the Divine booth and check on them...

You sit back up on the coffee table and catch my eye with a little wave. "Not yet. Finish telling me your Verse. You're almost done, anyway."

You're right.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Against Tumu's shoulder, I murmured, "I'm so glad you answered my call from Iona-29. I don't know where we'd be without you."

"You're lucky your warrant for meddling with shit while in exile came with a hefty bounty." Tumu was full of shit.

I'd never believed he would actually arrest me, but... there were some offenses along the way. With a step back, I stared into his voids, wondering. "I have to ask, did you know Lance was using one of my Weapon nacres on Rayne?"

No features to speak of, even so, lines tightened around Tumu's voids as he said, "I'm not sure Lance did. I know he said he went through your old lab for one, but Lance may have used a nacre created by Celindria, supposedly to control Rayne's volition when the time came. I never imagined they'd imbue her with the means of our destruction. Not until you said as much the very same day."

Rayne, do you remember when you went with the other Progeny to see Primary Rem, and I stayed behind to speak to Tumu on the platform in the ocean?

You run a hand through your hair, tension in your shoulders. "How could I forget? That was the day you died."

I wince, but nod.

Yes. Well, Tumu told me a little about your nacre. Celindria's blood activated it because she had some of my half-Gargantuan blood. Of course, I didn't know it at the time...

You're nodding now, saying, "Yup. Yes. Between all the Verses, I think we've put that together. But I'd always wondered about the Primary they killed for it."

I smirk.

Des, Tumu's twin. He deserves his own Verse, and one day, I'll tell you. Me and Tumu will. Together. When you come home...

For now, the idea that you're carrying a nacre made by Celindria inside you... Well, it leaves me sick.

"I'll be fine, Wingmaster. You get back to the story. These private sessions are beautiful, but they are carrying on."

I said, "We'll need to meet with Lance, Silence—Anyone who might know how Celindria's nacres operated. We can't leave Rayne out there with an unknown threat—"

There.

Lamassau and Tumu shared a wince.

Both of them assume you're dead and hide how my inability to handle it affects them.

You crook a finger at me. "C'mere." I move closer until you boop our foreheads together where you can say, "That's the sleep deprivation talking. They love you and worry about how you're grieving for me. Everyone here has good reason to think I'm dead. I exploded, remember?"

I nod, nudging our heads.

"But look how they try for you... It's remarkable, really. When it's all said and done—when I come home—then you can throw an 'I told so' party of epic proportions. Until then, cut our people some slack."

I chuckled at Tumu, which made him frown, considering the subject. With a slap on his arm, I said, "Stop worrying. There's still a bit of Verse left, old friend."

Lamassau mumbled, "That's right. 'Friend.'"

It left us laughing all the way to the door.