Page 69 of Star Bringer
The first is an all-black jumpsuit. My excitement fizzles a little, even as I tell myself that black is technically better than white. Or at least different, which is nice.
But Kali tosses it aside, along with another similar outfit. “Those are for Beckett,” she tells me. “She seems like the sort of person who’d appreciate black.”
I can’t help smiling at that. Partly because she’s right—Beckett does seem like someone who likes black, a lot—and partly because Kali thought of her even though they don’t get along. If someone was as mean to me as Beckett is to Kali, I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to buy this person two new jumpsuits. But Kali did, because she’s really sweet. I just wish Beckett could see that instead of whatever bad things she thinks she sees.
“These are for you,” Kali says, handing me a bag.
Not white, not white, please not white.
I give her back the bottle and peer inside. Then squeal with delight when I catch sight of what’s inside.
Chapter 24
Rain
I reach in greedily, desperate to touch what I see.
The first jumpsuit is a gorgeous cobalt blue with shocking pink piping, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. It’s definitely the most beautiful thing I’ll ever wear. I stare at it for several seconds, and then I burst into loud, wild tears.
“You don’t like it?” Kali asks, serene voice tinged with panic. “I’m sorry. I thought you’d prefer color after all the white, but if you want the black ones instead, I’m totally okay with Beckett having to walk around with a bunch of pink on her jumpsuit.”
That makes me laugh, but it doesn’t stop the tears. So now I’m crying and laughing at the same time, which I think alarms Kali even more. “It’s okay,” I tell her when I can finally talk again. “I love it. And I love you. You’re the best princessever.”
“I’m pretty certain my mother would disagree with you, but thanks. How about the other? And there should be some underwear in the bottom, as well.”
I pull out the second jumpsuit, which is green with orange piping. I sink to the bed and clutch it to my chest. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, though you should probably thank Ian, too.” She gives a small, unconscious smile at his name. “Anyway, I thought I’d get similar clothes for all of us—sort of like a uniform for the crew of theStarlight.”
“TheStarlight?”
“Oh, I forgot. That’s what we called the ship, because she has this little design on her and because she’s the color of starlight. Also, she’s an alien artifact.”
Shock hits me in the chest at this revelation. “How do you know?”
“The design is the same one that was on the heptosphere. And apparently Gage knew all about it.”
I don’t know what to say to that, or to the fact that we are actually flying on an alien spaceship right now. Here I am, the High Priestess of the Sisterhood of the Light, standing on a ship built by the Ancients 400,000 years ago. Maybe Iwasmeant to be here all along?
It’s incredible.
“Get changed, then, and we’ll head back to the bridge,” Kali is urging me. “I’m getting hungry again.” She takes a swig from the bottle, then puts it down and turns her back. “Hurry. I can’t wait to see which one you pick.”
I take a deep breath and kick off my mid-calf black boots before tugging the robe over my head. Once it’s off, I drop it onto the floor at my feet, and somehow it feels like I’m shedding something.
Which doesn’t make sense. Me being the high priestess doesn’t change just because I’m not dressed like one anymore. It just means I’m making the best of the situation.
All I have on underneath the robe is a pair of white panties, and I strip these off as well. I pull a black pair from the bag, along with a black sleeveless top with support seams, and put them on before climbing into the blue jumpsuit. The pink piping is my favorite.
I can hear Kali changing behind me as I fasten the closures on the jumpsuit. I’ve never worn anything so formfitting before, and it feels strange, like a second skin.
But oh, the color makes my stomach jump with joy. I know that it shouldn’t matter, know that caring about things like this means I’m so, so shallow. But it’s hard to worry about that when I feel so good.
Kali included two pairs of rainbow-colored socks in the bag as well, and I nearly start crying all over again. Instead, I slide a pair on my feet before putting my boots back on. I realize no one else will know I’m wearing rainbow socks, but I will, and that’s all that matters.
When I’m finished getting dressed, I stare down at myself, trying to reconcile the Rain I’ve been for so long with the person I look like right now. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s great. I’m High Priestess of the Sisterhood of the Light, but I have never felt as powerful as I do in this moment, standing here in this tiny cabin, aboard a renegade spaceship, dressed like a space pirate in colors the Sisterhood would never allow.
I reach for the nearly empty bottle and take a big gulp for courage. Then I turn around.
