Crusade Across Worlds (26 page)

“What kind of stuff?”

“Reid,” I smirk, surprised at his reaction,
“are you looking for gossip?”

“No. But he’s so hush-hush about the whole
thing,” he shrugs, trying to downplay his interest. “Just
curious.”

“Well,” I select my words carefully, “I
think it’s more than just a fun thing. I think it’s pretty
serious.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Everyone ready to go?” Clarence’s voice
rings through the half-repaired Docking Station. He makes his way
over and rounds up Walker and the Rogues who have spread out among
the remaining rubble. “We’re about to take off.”

As we approach, Sampson turns to Ariana. “I
look forward to seeing the Mybyncians in three days’ time. They
will be welcomed with genuine Nerwolix hospitality.”

“Thank you, Fychu.”

“No, thank you, Queen Ariana. You have given
us a chance to capture Reuzkimpart, as I believe the Mother
intended.” His focus shifts to Chancellor Keller. “Qippert will
give you continuous updates on the invasion’s status. Once it is
concluded, he will return immediately with the Gift.”

Ariana nods again. “Thank you.”

Securing our helmets, we begin mounting the
seven Millix brought for our use. Tucker selects the one farthest
in the back, where he can remain hidden. Once situated on the
sea-creature with Pratt, the Rogue Leader keeps his head down, like
he’s more interested in the water at his feet than the blushing
sage-skinned queen before him.

“I guess…” her voice softens, “…this is
farewell.”

Chancellor Keller nods a goodbye.

Just as we begin lowering, Ariana rushes
forward. “Will it only be Qippert returning with the Gift?”

“My queen?” Sampson frowns.

“When the war has concluded…will it...” her
eyes dart over us, pausing near the rear, “…will you all come
back?”

“We do intend on hosting a wedding on
Harrizel, but that may not be for some time,” Sampson hesitates. “I
am not sure when we will be returning to Mybyncia again.”

“I see,” she nods, sadness overpowering her
lovely features. The expression lasts a moment before she
straightens, adopting a stoic countenance. “Good luck,
Arizals.”

We offer a final wave and then submerge with
the usual speed, leaving behind the glowing castle in seconds. The
trip takes no time at all, and reaching the beach, the others head
inland, everyone breaking into groups near a pile of broken
boulders left over from the Muskos’ attack.

I climb off Lalu, but keep one hand on her
brightly colored neck.
Thank you, Lalu. It was good to see you
again.

And you as well, Fallon.

I’m not sure when we’re coming back.

When you do, call for me. I will come.

I bring my head to hers and rest our
foreheads together.
Thank you for everything
. A soft purr
rumbles off of her skin and onto mine.
Goodbye.

Reid gestures to where Clarence, Mae, Able
and Pratt are holding hands in a semi-circle and I follow him over.
I take Clarence’s open palm and scan the beach one final time. I’m
not sure when we’ll be back here. It’ll most likely be sometime
after the war ends, but will that happen in only a week? Or will
this two-hundred-year old conflict take longer to resolve?

With a breath, I soak in the Mybyncian
scene, memorizing every little detail. The cool, wet chill in the
air. The cushiony, shimmering, beige sand beneath my feet. The deep
blue of the endless ocean that goes on and on into the horizon.

A lavender fog billows up from the ground
and it all disappears.

***

“So now all we have to do is find the
Floating Ruby,” Pratt shrugs. “Easy peasy.”

“Easy peasy my ass,” Walker laughs, sucking
the grease off his thumb. “We’ve got less than a week for the
Vermix to ‘supposedly’ invade and we only have one Gift. I
thought,” he reaches for a third helping of roasted Horrop, “that
Reuzkimpart was sending spies around to make sure both Gifts are
here. What happens if they only see the one?”

We’re on the floor in Tucker’s home, huddled
around a wooden slab piled high with the prepared meat. Warze
brought it in a little while ago and we’ve been picking at it for
the last hour, whittling it down to the bones. It was probably
meant for all of us, but Sampson and the other Dofinikes retired to
their individual homes, ending the night early for some much needed
rest.

“Well,” Jace licks his fingers, “I’m sure
Sampson will figure it out. He sounds like he knows what he’s
doing.”

“Does he?” Walker swallows a mouthful. “I
mean, don’t get me wrong—I like the guy—but this is seriously
risky.”

“How do they know the Vermix spies are
here?” I ask.

“Zingfinolds have spotted a few,” Reid says.
“Last couple of weeks, more and more.”

“And they don’t capture any?”

He shakes his head. “Sampson wants them to
report back to Reuzkimpart what we’re doing. That we’re
‘attempting’ to relocate the Gifts.”

“Which we already have,” Mae reaches for her
green melon-cup but pauses before she takes a drink. “One at
least.”

“They’re probably waiting to see both before
ol’ Reuzy gives them the go-ahead,” Jace says. “So we’ve got to
find that last Gift.”

“And if we don’t?” Werzo asks. “Then
what?”

“Then we’re invading Dellapalania,” Booker
says. “And we’re taking Reuzkimpart out at home.”

“Which I personally,” Jace pats his chest,
“think is the best plan.”

“Agreed,” Walker nods.

“It just makes more sense,” Able says. “Less
risk of losing the Gifts. I know Sampson wants to avoid invading
his home but,” he pops another piece of meat in his mouth, “cut
Reuzkimpart off at the knees, right? Take out the leader and the
rest will fall.”

“Not necessarily.” The others look at me. “I
mean, sure you can remove the head but the chicken is still going
to dance around awhile. The Vermix aren’t going to stop being
Vermix just because Reuzkimpart is killed or captured. The war is
still going to go on, if even for a little bit.”

“This is what’s going to happen,” Walker
lets out a breath, as though readying himself for a lengthy
diagnosis. “Reuzkimpart is going to get his ass kicked. We’ll
assign a new Leader—”

“Dellapalania has seven.”

“What?”

“Seven Leaders that sit on the Dellapalanian
counsel. Right now they’re made up of Vermix.”

“Well, we kill Reuzkimpart, remove the other
six and restore the Arizals—Sampson, Clarence, Blovid and the
others—and they decree that being a Vermix is illegal or whatever,
and they’ll be forced to convert or leave,” he shrugs. “Something
like that.”

“Even if that’s how it works, it’s still
going to take some time. It’s not like it’ll change overnight.”

“As long as it’s changing, right? The first
step is to kill Reuzkimpart. The second step is restoring the
Arizals to the counsel. The rest will fall in place.”

“Yeah,” Pratt grins. “And then, when
everything is said and done, you two will be
married
,” she
sings at Reid and me. “K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”

Werzo whispers something in Jace’s ear, but
the blonde Rogue shakes his head, dismissing the joke. “They’ve
already done that.”

“Guys,” Reid warns.

“Look,” Jace throws his hand out, silencing
the room. “What I want to know is—what is this bachelor party going
to be like?”

“Isn’t every night a bachelor party for
you?” the copper-haired Rogue on his right sulks, picking at his
thumbnail.

“Are we really talking about bachelor
parties?”

“These are the important decisions, Boss.
You only get married once. It has to be an awesome, over the top,
epic
night.”

“You’re still going to be my wingman,” Werzo
turns to Walker. “Right?”

“Course.”

Jace frowns at the Rogue next to him,
obvious hurt on his face. “I thought you were going to be
my
wingman?”

“Like you need one,” Pratt laughs and leans
forward, reaching for another section of the roasted Horrop.
“Besides, what about Zella?”

“Right,” he rubs his hands together, eyeing
the curtain with sudden interest. “I need to let her know I’m
back.”

“Don’t let us keep you from getting
laid.”

“Don’t worry—I wasn’t,” Jace smirks and gets
to his feet. “Guys—have a lovely evening. Oh and uh… if the tree is
a-rocking, don’t come a-knocking, all right?” he winks.
“Later.”

“Gross,” Pratt chews.

The curtain flaps behind him and I glance at
Reid. But he’s too distracted with Tucker who hasn’t said a word
the entire time we’ve been back. Head permanently down, the Rogue
Leader has been staring at the wooden floor, eyes lost on
something, his section of Horrop meat untouched. I wish I could do
something for Tucker. Help him some way. Comfort him.

“I’ll probably head to bed too,” Booker
stands and stretches his massive arms with a vocal yawn.
“Night.

“Et tu, Booker?” Werzo reaches for his green
cup and with a loud gulp, he downs a mouthful of Hunnis.

Able grips his own drink. “Oh let the man
have some fun.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” he glances at
Mae and she blushes profusely, avoiding his eye. With a hearty
sigh, the Rogue shifts focus to the flapping curtain, watching it
sway with Booker’s departure. “I need a girlfriend.”

“Werz,” Walker clears his throat. “Look, I’m
a little tired tonight—and I mean that—but what do you say you and
me hang out tomorrow? We were close on Mybyncia…we’ll really close
the deal tomorrow, okay? Get you some cute tribegirl to chase away
those blues.”

Reid shifts closer to Tucker and whispers
something. The Rogue Leader nods and Reid looks back to us. “Why
don’t we call it a night then?”

“You alright there, Rogue Leader?” Walker
frowns.

“He’s fine,” Reid answers. “It’s been a long
couple of days. Let’s just get some rest, okay?”

As everyone gathers to a stand, Reid and
Tucker exchange a few quick whispers while the others wave a
goodbye and head past the curtain. I stand near the exit, watching
the two decide something and wondering if I should leave like
everyone else. This is the first night back on Nerwolix—something
I’ve been looking forward to all week—but with the way those two
are chatting, and the pure grief coloring Tucker’s face, doubt
rises in my stomach. I may be spending the night alone.

Reid confirms my fear when he heads over, an
apologetic smile in the works. “Do you mind if I hang back with
Tucker tonight? He’s feeling real down about the whole Ariana thing
and I don’t want him to be alone.”

Disappoint courses through me. “Of
course.”

He forces a grin. “It’s not how I wanted
tonight to go either.”

“I know. Go,” I motion to Tucker, “console.
Be a friend.”

I start to turn when Reid brushes my cheek,
his thumb running the length of my bottom lip. He gazes at me in
that heart-racing way he does, a dark, fiery expression growing
behind his eyes. “Make it up to you tomorrow. Promise.”

“You better.”

“Oh,” he leans in, his warm breath tickling
my neck. “I will.”

The soft vibration coupled with the brazen
desire in his words sends shivers down my spine. I’ve spent the
last week away from him, and now, after sending my body into heated
overdrive, we have to separate again. Reid plants a less-than-chase
kiss under my ear and I all but pant beneath him. Pulling away, he
offers a wicked wink and turns toward the Rogue Leader.

Trying to focus on how great a friend Reid
is—and not the fact that I’ll be sleeping without him again—I leave
Tucker’s home with plans to crash as soon as I hit the bed. It
has
been a long couple of days and sleep would be the best
route to wash it all away. I’m already picturing the soft red
blankets when I spot Walker on the bridge, leaning against the
thick wooden banister, fixated out on the night canopy. I think
about walking past him—heading home and crawling into bed—but the
thought of another night of solitude stops me. Maybe a few more
minutes of being social wouldn’t hurt.

I slow to a stop beside the tribesman.
“Hey.”

“Hey yourself.”

“Not ready to head back yet?”

“Eh…something like that.”

I lean against the heavy branch and stare
out at the Nerwolix city scene. Other than a few buzzing critters,
everything is just…quiet. Peaceful. And after all the fighting and
screaming and arguing over the last week, it’s nice to breathe in
the calm and listen to nothing for a change. And that’s what I do.
Inhaling the cool night air, I watch the lime Yulus sway back and
forth at the top of the surrounding Eckles. Throughout them, jarred
fireflies dot the dark trees, offering warm bursts of gold and
crimson for miles.

“I never said congratulations on the whole…”
Walker gestures to Tucker’s home. It looks like he’s about to say
something else, but he decides against it.

“Thanks.”

“Rox is a lucky guy.”

I smile and focus on the Yulus again,
watching as they slowly sway in the soft night breeze. Exhaustion
is taking over and part of me wants to leave, but the thought of
returning home alone keeps me rooted to the spot. Like Walker, I’m
not ready to go just yet. I glance over at the adopted tribesman,
scanning his lean but muscled form. He’s in the traditional
Zingfinold gear—knee-length shorts made from orange and brown
animal hide—and shirtless, with patches of red curls working their
way down his toned chest to disappear into the leathery material
below. I look up, away. “It’s nice of you to help out Werzo.”

“Yeah…” he scratches his cheek. “Feel bad
for the guy. All he wants is a little loving—can you blame
him?”

I shrug.

“For the past few months, he’s had to watch
his friends hooking up,” Walker looks at me. “Except Rox, of
course. But it’s hard on a dude when all his boys are getting some
and he’s not. Probably why he’s so moody all the time.”