Page 17 (1/2)
“I left because you were going to use me as a crutch for the rest of your life if I didn’t Youyou defended the first moments we met” He held up his hand as Sloan atteree withme as an excuse not to take hold of your own destiny That’s why I left the Arrow I knew you needed to forge your oithoutin the way”
“Nev, you were never in the way,” she said
“I know you ht not have felt that way, but I did I came here, set up a nice life for myself Met Kila, and I’ve never been happier I want that for you, Sloan And you knohat e to D’Arian and there’s someone ants him back”
“Yeah, I know But just like you felt you couldn’t hold me back, I can’t keep Xan Not if he’s e to D’Arian?”
“Yes, I’ll send it It ht take a while to reach D’Arian, and you will probably be out of range for a short comm once they reply”
“It’s okay We’ll still be a few days out froo from there”
“Will do, Cap” Neven gave her a salute as Sloan rolled her eyes
“Thanks, Nev,” she said, knowing that this coe the course of Xan’s life and also hers forever
“Lastthem out of the comm room
Sloan and Neven roup and sat for a laststories about how they’d each tried to keep Sloan out of trouble and Sloan grousing about how they were no fun Xan was quiet through usto but seemed uncorowled at her stories of bar battles from her rowdier days
They ended the oodbyes Neven promised her he would send the coht thing
Chapter 13
The trip to Halkon had been uneventful so far, but Xan was still nervous about going aboard the station the following day It would be his first ti to attack or sell hi while He was used to the cre and felt coate the station, especially one he had visited in his past Xan was sure it wouldn’t feel anything like it had when he was a carefree youth
His tiressed nicely They were spending ether, and she often visited hio bay Xan was hopeful that this boded well for the able to spend tireed to leave the ship once they arrived on Halkon He felt it would be an important place for the
Since he couldn’t sleep, Xan sat in his quarters for hours staring up at the ceiling or headed out into the corridors, so in the nonresidential areas Xan wanted to be fresh for their trip to Halkon in the er, and he decided that burning off soet some sleep He left on his pair of sleep shorts, put on a shirt, and laced up his shoes Closing the doors to his quarters, Xan made his way to a less populated area of the ship to run