Ka'Cit's Haven (Riv’s Sanctuary #3)

Her heart fell.

In his hand was the holographic tilgran he’d bought for her.

Swallowing down the lump in her throat, Nia moved forward to take it and her fingers brushed against his.

Electricity shot through her at the touch of their skin and she had to force herself to breathe normally.

She wasn’t just imagining this, was she?

She couldn’t be the only one affected by this.

He must feel it too.

He must!

But… “Bye, Nee-ya.”

Her tear-filled eyes met his one last time as he moved his hand, breaking their contact.

“Bye, Ka’Cit.”

As the hover car moved backward, turned, and began shooting across the plain, Nia watched it go.

Bye, Nia.

His words echoed in her ear.

It didn’t sound like a temporary farewell.

That…that sounded like goodbye.

Terse.

Frigid.

Final.

37

It turns out that Sohut and Cleo hadn’t gone on their assignment because they’d been too worried about her.

If not for the call she’d been able to make from Ka’Cit’s watch when she’d been in orbit, they’d have spent the entire time clueless and worrying.

“So tell us what happened? How did Ka’Cit find you? Where did he find you? I swear, we didn’t stop looking for you. We looked everywhere.” Lauren’s eyes were starting to water again and Nia reached across the table to squeeze the woman’s hand.

They were all sitting in the main room, which they’d designated as the living and dining room, and everyone’s attention was on her.

Luckily, they hadn’t asked why she seemed so sad. At least, not yet. If anything, she’d just say it’s because she was a bit tired.

Hopefully, they’d buy it,

Cleo had made some sort of sweet tea from some herbs she and Sohut had brought back after one of their excursions, and there was a steaming cup of it in front of her.

It smelled good but she couldn’t even focus on the drink.

All she could think about was those last few moments by the edge of the property.

All she could see was Ka’Cit’s hover car zooming away, again, and again, and again.