Page 89 of Guardian of Exile

“I want her out of this place.”

“That's a nice sentiment,” Connell broke in, “but where is she going to live? Eat? Work?”

Tristen’s eyes flashed. “I can take care of her. She doesn't need you.”

Belas flushed. “No one needs to take care of me. I can take care of myself.”

“With what money?” they asked in unison, then glared at each other.

She stiffened, straightening. “I am not a case for anyone’s charity. I have made my own way in this world, and if I’m poor because I have spent all my money looking for the most precious thing in my life, well I would do it all again.”

“I don’t think you’re a charity case, Mom. But I have more money than God. The least you could do is let me spend it on you.”

Belas looked thoughtful. “Are you religious, then?”

He laughed. “No. It’s just something we say back on—” He cut off with a glance at Connell. “Where I grew up. So what do you say?”

Belas looked like she was going to refuse, but Nyx thought it was more out of pride than anything else.

“If you want to stay here,” Nyx said, “we understand. This is your home.” Tristen shot her a what-the-fuck-are-you-doing look that she ignored. “But if you have any interest in going to Raveras and don’t want to be dependent on your son, we have friends there. I’m certain they can help you find work.” Amelia Drahl was deeply entrenched in her community, and seemed to genuinely love helping people.

“I hate this place,” Belas confessed. “I only stayed in case Tristen found a way home.” She took a deep breath. “All right. Let's go to Raveras then. We can discuss the rest of it after. Connell, could I speak with you for a minute?”

As Belas pulled Connell aside, Nyx did the same with Tristen. “What did she mean by ‘discuss the rest of it’?” Nyx whispered, because it was a very small apartment.

“I didn't tell her what you want me to do,” he whispered back, “if that's what you’re asking. But I did tell her I need to leave again. She wanted to come with me, and I tried to tell her it was too dangerous. At which point, as you can imagine, she became a little suspicious and very concerned. Am I involved in something illegal? Is someone still forcing me to do things? Is the person forcing me to do things you?”

Nyx considered that. “Well, minus the forcing you bit, she kind of isn’t wrong about anything.”

“I'm aware,” he said testily. “Hence the problem.” He blew out a breath. “When I agreed to this with you, I didn't expect to have a mother who loves me.”

“I'm holding you to your promise to free one Station,” she said. “But I keep my word, too. I won’t try to force you into anything more.”

“And all those poor enslaved souls?” he asked.

“I won't buy their freedom with another form of slavery. That’s not the kind of person I am. Believe me, sometimes I wish I was.”

“Why?”

“Because then I'd believe there was a chance I could have Seth back. And I wouldn’t care that it cost over a hundred planets and all the people on them to make it happen.” At his incredulous look she said, “The origins of the intergalactic transportation system are odd. And before you ask, no, if I wanted to go that route, I don’t need your help to do it.”

“You're kind of frightening, you know that, right?”

She snorted. “You should meet my father.”

“And your father would be…?”

She smiled. “Scarier than me.”

At that point, Belas came back from the corner of the room she’d been discussing things with Connell in. “Connell is going to come with us,” she announced.

Tristen blinked. “And why would he do that?”

“Because I asked him to. He has a history of bodyguard detail, and now that you have so kindly fixed his knee, he should provide adequate protection.”

“I don't need a bodyguard, Mom. And you know he’s only coming because he has stars in his eyes every time he looks at you.”

Belas looked like she wanted to be embarrassed but had decided she was too old for it. “Well, I would feel better with him on the journey to Raveras. It isn't the safest trip to make.”

And that was how they ended up making the journey back to Raveras by Kreks, small camel-like animals with sweet dispositions and excellent footing on sand. Because while Nyx would have been willing to show Tristen’s mother portaling and trust she would keep quiet about it for her son’s sake, she wasn’t willing to risk the same where Connell was concerned.