The hum of the ship was a constant beneath Mae’s feet, a soft vibration that seemed to seep into her bones as they ascended into the cold expanse of space. The stars outside twinkled like distant memories, and for a moment, she allowed herself to be lost in their beauty, the same beauty that had once filled her with wonder. Now, it was just another reminder of how far she had fallen, how much had changed.
She could feel the distance between herself and the others, the silence in the air thickening as they left the planet behind. Lucien, Riven, Ashar, and Sethis were all somewhere in the ship, preparing for what was to come. But Mae remained on the edge, a quiet observer, struggling to push past the ache in her chest.
She wanted to believe the promises they had made. She wanted to believe
