Several hours later, Finley found herself aboard a packed shuttle heading back to Earth. Sabin sat beside her, Thane next to him. Wren and Malax were also aboard. Airen and Donovan had stayed on the Rengard, with a skeleton crew. There were several other shuttles full of warriors traveling to Earth as well.
She knew the Eon warriors were keen to see the planet they were helping to protect.
She was a little worried about how she and Sabin would make things work, but she had faith they would.
She pulled in a deep breath. She’d leave Earth if she had to. Surely there were some Eon research projects she could help with.
They landed at Woomera. As soon as she exited, Gemma and Ian rushed over for hugs.
“You’re brilliant,” Gemma exclaimed.
“Your help was invaluable in getting the StarStorm operational,” Finley told her.
“Let’s party!” Ian said.
Gemma tugged Finley away. “Party dresses are mandatory.”
Finley groaned and shared a look with Sabin.
“I’ll see you at the party,” Sabin said.
Gemma dragged Finley down the hall. “You and Sabin are mated. You lucky woman.”
Finley smiled. “We are. And I am.”
“I might see if I can find myself a warrior.” Gemma waggled her eyebrows.
Finley raised a brow. “Ian would be heartbroken.”
The woman stumbled. “What?”
“He’s totally head-over-heels for you.”
“No,” Gemma breathed. “We’re just friends. Colleagues.”
“Look more carefully, Gemma. You’re a smart lady.”
A speculative look crossed the young woman’s face. “Maybe I will.”
Soon they were dolled up, and Finley was wearing a little black dress. She found herself on the Woomera rooftop. Music was playing, and everyone was drinking and eating. Eon warriors mingled with Terrans.
Wren was dancing badly on a makeshift dance floor. She looked like she was having a seizure. Malax watched on, a smile on his face.
And love.
Finley searched for Sabin and spotted him talking with Kaira.
Finley headed over to them, and Kaira smiled at her.
“Welcome back and congratulations,” the Woomera security commander said.
“Thank you,” Finley replied.
“I’ll let you have some time alone with your mate.” With a smile, Kaira left them.
“Hi,” Finley said.
“Hi. You look beautiful.” Sabin pulled her into his arms. “We’re right back where I first—”
“I remember.” Every second.
“Look up.”
Overhead was a bright sprinkle of stars.
“It’s beautiful. Even more beautiful from down here, with my feet firmly on Earth.”
“You helped save your planet, Finley. You saved me. In more ways than one.”
She rubbed her nose against his. “And your steady belief and support led me here. We’re a good team.”
“And we’ll be good mates.”
Surrounded by Eon warriors and Terrans, they kissed under the stars.
Chapter Twenty
Kaira
Kaira tried to relax.
It was a party, so there were lots of reasons to have fun.
She sighed. She was still acutely aware that there were Kantos out there. The StarStorm was a huge win, and would stop a large-scale attack.
But only when they saw the enemy coming.
It wouldn’t stop small strike teams, or assassins sneaking through. She couldn’t relax yet.
She glanced over and saw Finley in Sabin’s arms. The scientist and the warrior were smiling at each other, and Kaira could practically feel the love from where she was standing.
Kaira was happy for them. A pang hit her under her heart. She’d had that once.
No, she wasn’t going to have a pity party. She’d grieved for Ryan, and would always miss him, but life marched on, whether you wanted it to or not.
She dated. She even caught up with a buddy with benefits occasionally, but she’d never let herself fall in love again.
It hurt too much to lose someone you loved. And she’d worked too hard putting the pieces of her life back together to have them shattered for a second time.
The doors to the roof opened, and two couples stepped onto the roof terrace.
“Eve! Lara!” Wren ran for the women.
Both of them were tall and athletic. The taller one was Lara Traynor. The one with a small, round pregnant belly would be Eve.
Wow, these women were Space Corps legends.
Kaira watched the three sisters embrace. The big warriors with them would be War Commander Davion Thann-Eon, and Security Commander Caze Vann-Jad of the Desteron.
Kaira wanted to meet the women. She had to admit she had a small girl crush on them both.
She grabbed a drink from the bar table and sipped. As she scanned the party again, her gaze snagged on a sexy, silver fox of an Eon warrior.
The man was talking with Sabin and Finley, so she guessed he was off the Rengard. Yum. Kaira felt a tingle. It’d been a long time since she’d felt much for a man. She drank him in. He’d be good fantasy material for when she was busy with her vibrator later.
Dragging her gaze off him, she noted when Lara and Eve were alone. She took her chance.
“Sub-Captain Traynor, Lieutenant Traynor. I’m Commander Kaira Chand, head of Woomera Security. It’s an honor to meet you both.”
“Likewise.” Eve held out a hand while the other one rested on her belly. “And it’s Ambassador Thann-Eon these days.” The woman winced. “Although it’s a hell of a mouthful.”
“I heard you did good work here, Commander Chand,” Lara said. “You helped fight off the Kantos.”
“We desperately needed a giant can of bug spray,” Kaira said.
Lara snorted and Eve smiled.
“Isn’t that the truth?” Lara said. “With the StarStorm operational, though, it improves the odds.”
Kaira nodded. “It’s thanks to you both we have the alliance with the Eon in the first place.”
Eve smiled. “Sometimes it’s a giant pain in my ass. The Eon king is planning to have a delegation from Earth visit the planet of Eon soon. I’m dreading it.”
“Isn’t that good news for the alliance?” Kaira said.
“Except I’ll have to babysit them.” Eve sighed. “A bunch of pretentious politicians from Earth, no doubt.”
“You might be too busy giving birth,” her sister added.
Eve winced. “Don’t talk about giving birth.”
Suddenly, the pregnant woman went pale and swayed.
“Eve?” Kaira was closest and grabbed Eve’s arm.
“I’m just a little lightheaded. It keeps happening. I just need some space and fresh air.”
“You’re outside,” Lara noted.
“Fresher air. There are too many people.”
“I’ll take you out front,” Kaira said. “There’s a small garden there.”
“I’ll find Davion,” Lara said.
Kaira helped the pregnant woman inside and into the elevator.
“I’m feeling better already,” Eve said. “I just needed to get away from the crush of people.”