Anger didn't look good on Eudora Windemere. Neither did failure.

She screamed at her servants. She snarled at her guards. Nothing was done right or quickly enough.

News of her volatile behavior spread through the Manor and out into the Stead. Whispers among servants became conversations between peers over tea.

Within those conversations, were remarks on how calmly young Lady Adelia was handling things. Aristos began seeking audiences with her, bringing concerns and petitions to her attention. More and more servants sought her out when it came to planning events and dealing with problems that cropped up throughout the day.

Adelia was essentially running the Manor. She referred the less pressing matters to Letty, as well as several of the visiting aristos. She never wanted to exclude her sister the way Eudora excluded Zay. The plan had always been for them to rule jointly, splitting the work between them.

Vigo's plan to establish his Clanless as a true Clan thrilled her. Every moment drew her closer to the day she could wear his Sweetlock. Adelia was very careful about becoming overly optimistic, and overconfident. It was entirely possible that Eudora was putting them all on while she moved pieces into place to strike back.

But things were coming together nicely. She would take what she could get.

Striding through the halls of the Manor with Letty beside her, and Vigo and the Twins with Kesha and two other Roamers around them, she delegated tasks and gave orders. The servants bowed and curtsied, scurrying off to do her bidding.

"Milady," the housekeeper fell into step with her. "Shall we postpone this evening's revelry?"

"What's that, Miss Colleen?"

"Her Ladyship had planned a ball. Invitations only went out this morning."

"Any responses?"

"I've only heard they're all waiting to see what you will do."

"Very well, we shall hold the ball, but limit the guests to the first two hundred. Do be certain Lady Shiel, Lord Iker, and Lord Erik are among them, as well as all the young aristos I usually invite."

"Yes, milady."

"Fetch me the interim Captain of the Manor Guard as well. I've yet to meet him."

"Yes, milady."

"Oh, Del," Letty said, "we must see to Lord Erik's petition for permits to install solar power in his tenants' cottages."

"Of course, Letty, thank you. Vigo, love, please send someone to ask Lord Erik for tea. Carry on, Miss Colleen, and thank you ever much."

They reached her sitting room and she smiled when Sante hurried over to the bar to pour her a drink.

Adelia settled on the lounger with a sigh and accepted the drink, taking a grateful sip. Vigo sprawled on one side of her and Simone on the other. Sante plopped down on the floor at her feet.

She nodded to Letty as she occupied the other lounger with Kesha handing her a drink.

"She's off her rocks, you know."

"So, it seems," Adelia sighed. "We may be able to make the claim by this time next week, if so."

"Why wait so long?"

"Her supporters are still fighting this," Adelia tapped a nail on her glass. "I don't know what they expect to gain, as she's hardly capable of properly presenting herself right now. Unless her fracture is a front. Either way, I doubt they'll ever break ranks, but we can hope."

"You've over three-quarters of the Enclave in hand, now," Letty pointed out.

"Yes, but if I make the move now when she's just begun to crack, there are those who might say I took advantage of a temporary lapse. No," Adelia shook her head slowly, "they must see she is beyond recovery, and we must be certain she is truly failing.

"We need someone to keep an eye on her that isn't afraid of her. Someone who can tell us if she's truly losing it or playing games with us."

Letty nodded. "I shall look into that."

"You'll keep her around," Vigo asked, "even when she's deposed?"

"That is a matter to be considered," Letty agreed. "She'll never stop plotting if we allow her to stay here."

Adelia tapped a finger to her lips, thinking it through.

"Her father had property in Viceroy," she murmured at last, "that she inherited. A townhouse. If she's faking it all, sending her away will give her an entirely new crop to harvest from, and they'll not know how to deal with her."

"No one in Viceroy gives a shit about her," Letty added. "They despised her father, and they despise her."

"We can't keep eyes on her there," Sante pointed out, "not consistent."

Adelia frowned. Simone signed emphatically.

Wouldn't have to if she was dead...

"An inconvenient truth," Adelia said softly.

"It can't be any of us," Letty said just as softly. "And it would be looked upon kindly if it was an accident."

Or suicide...

Brilliant, Adelia signed back, dropping a kiss on Simone's cheek.

"Quite," Letty smiled.

***

Vigo stood outside of the Quorum and felt surprisingly calm.

The last time he entered a building like this was almost a decade ago, just before that last run with Chadwick.

They weren't even truly part of that crew. They just happened to be going in the same direction.

Vigo did not regret killing that slimy bastard for even a moment. The pain his sweets suffered, however, that he could do without.

He blinked when Vael slapped his shoulder.

"Vigo."

"Vael."

"Can't do much from out here," he arched a brow.

Vigo smiled.

If he wasn't so taken with his own, he might have tried for Vael once. The boy...the man...was simply delectable.

"I reckon so," Vigo nodded. "Your Boss comin'?"

"Should already be inside. Come on then," he nodded to the open wooden doors. "Let's do the damn thing."

Vigo glanced around, and Vael pursed his lips. "What are you waiting for?"

"My Twins. Here they are." He smiled when he spotted his sweets coming down the walk.

"Now we can go in," Vigo linked arms with his sweets and Vael followed them inside.

The Quorum was a large building. It had to be to hold all the Consuls and Roamer representatives that gathered there. This was the hive of Roamer life, where they debated and settled upon issues from what they would pay for fuel to whether to accept a new Boss. All manner of problems, questions, and ideas were dealt with and confirmed here.

Vael steered Vigo toward the lower row down on the Quorum floor. Quyn stood with Holis, chatting with a few other Bosses and Seconds while they waited for the call to order.

Vigo took a deep breath when he came upon Boss Kestryl and nodded in respect when the man's attention fell on him. His sweets were right; the man was big. Vigo had to look up at him, and he struggled not to bow to the Boss's air of authority.

"Sir Salazar," Quyn offered a gloved hand and Vigo took it. "Welcome. My Copilot speaks well of you."

Vigo nodded. "Not sure it's deservin' but I am grateful, Sir."

Quyn smiled at him. "My boy don't go throwin' flowery words for no reason. These your ladies?"

Introductions were made and soon the Chief Consul called for order. Everyone took their seats, and the proceedings began.

Matters were decided quickly, with little delay in going from one item on the agenda to another. Vigo was impressed with the efficiency and solidarity of the Roamers around him.

"Now then," Chief Consul Thackery Chapman sighed. "Have we any more petitions to hear today?"

Vigo jumped when Vael kicked his ankle and nodded to the podium in front of them. He quickly stood and stepped forward.

"Chief Consul, I have a petition," he said, swallowing a sudden surge of nerves. "I am Vigo Salazar."

A murmur rose in the chamber that caused Chapman to bang his gavel. When silence fell, he pinned Vigo with dark golden eyes. "The Chair recognizes Sir Salazar."

"Thank you, sir. I wish to petition the Quorum to allow me and my people to form a Clan of our own."

"Who speaks for you?"

Quyn stood and joined Vigo at the podium. "Boss Quyn Kestryl of Clan Kestryl, Chief Consul."

"Boss Kestryl, you are aware that by speakin' for Sir Salazar, you are takin' on responsibility for his Clan for the next five years."

"I am."

"And you are aware that any transgressions, sanctions, and inappropriate behaviors will be your responsibility to deal with?"

"I am."

"And you are aware that any needs for equipment, training, funding, and so on this Clan has must be met, by you and your Clan for the duration of your sponsorship?"

"I am."

"Your Second is in agreement?"

Holis stood and stepped up to the podium long enough to say, "I am."

"Your papers, Sir Salazar."

Vigo removed the Clan articles card from his inner pocket and handed it to the page that ran up to get it.

He waited while Chapman and the others at the high table scanned and read over it.

"You confirm your proposed Clan has one hundred and fifty members at this time?"

"I do," Vigo answered.

"And...two rigs operational?"

"Yes, Chief."

"You name your Second as..."

"Seconds," Vigo corrected, and his sweets stood to join him. "Dames Simone and Sante Alonzo."

Chapman peered over his spectacles at Vigo, eyes darting to the two women on either side of him.

"A rather unusual arrangement, Sir Salazar."

"Not so much, Chief. They are Leads in their own rights, out'a Clan Perez. We are Sweetlocked."

Chapman nodded and sat back. "You are in agreement with this Kestryl?"

"We have no objection, Chief," Quyn answered.

"Hm," Chapman folded his hands in front of him. "The floor is open."

A younger, stern-looking Consul sat forward at the high table. "It's been some time since you rolled with a Quorum's blessing," he began. "What have you been doin?"

"Workin' sir," Vigo answered. "Lookin' after my sweets and those that have sworn allegiance to me."

The man scoffed. "And why, pray tell, are you findin' y'self without Clan?"

"My lords," Quyn spoke up, "Sir Salazar is a fine, upstandin' man that tends his duties at the Manor under the employ of Lady Adelia Windemere. His Clan watches over the Lady and her sisters, as well as my son's sweets. This," Quyn finished, "is a Roamer of honor."

"So honorable he's 'shamed t'speak on it?" the young Consul challenged.

Quyn smiled. "Oscar," he said quietly, "let us not forget we all have a past, yes?"

Oscar's tan face reddened, and his dark eyes flashed gold.

"We are not ashamed," Vigo said softly. "We never have been."

"Then speak," Oscar snapped. He glared at Quyn, who never lost his smile.

"We worked our way up from the South, once we were 'locked, us three," Sante spoke out. "Our love Vigo protected and looked after us, as is his duty and his pleasure. Our love learned that Windemere was the Stead one should seek for work and home, so we began makin' our way here. As many do, we traded our skills for passage, savin' our funds to begin our life in Windemere. Clan Chadwick lacked crucial crew, and we filled some of the gaps.

"Frank Chadwick was a foul and debauched man, and even knowing we were 'locked, he pressed us for favors. We refused, even though he separated us from our love. There was not one man among that crew who would speak out against Chadwick. Not one who would warn our love, and knowing Vigo would kill him for it, we remained silent. One run, we thought, and we are rid of him.

"But Chadwick refused to bring us to Windemere. He stopped everywhere but where we needed. Finally, he pulled into Viceroy, with a direct run to Windemere, and we purchased our rig, planning to repair and trick it once we arrived here.

"Chadwick knew Vigo would stand no more of his delays and swore he would bring us directly to Windemere. He took one of my sister's tools and I stood guard while she went to retrieve it from the Boss bunk.

"But Chadwick ambushed her, and when I heard her screams, I went to her aid. He would not let us go, so we fought until his crew pulled us away and threw us from the rig.

"Vigo learned of Chadwick's treatment of us, and saw us battered from our bid to escape him. We spoke out, condemning Chadwick, callin' upon the crew to bring him forth for justice. They refused. Vigo fought his way into the Boss rig and found Chadwick. There he righteously cut the worthless dick from him.

"The crew condemned us for Chadwick's death," Sante's eyes shimmered gold in her fury. "Cut my sister's throat for speakin' and rammed spikes into my ears for hearin'. Vigo, our love, was beaten by the crew entire and they left us there to die."

Sante turned to Vigo, who wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close, kissing the top of her head.

"There is no shame in defending my sweets!" Vigo's voice boomed, his gold eyes flaring. "I carry no shame in taking the life of a man who would disregard the sanctity of the Sweetlock. I carried the burden of Clanless as my due, for failing my sweets, for allowing them to be abused by such a man. That is my only shame."

Simone leaned against him, laying her arms around his waist.

Chapman cleared his throat. "Are you satisfied, then, Oscar?"

"I am." Oscar looked shaken, the disdain that lit his eyes replaced by horror.

"It is so ordered," Chapman declared. He pressed a seal on the card and handed it to the page to return to Vigo.

"On this day, we mark the formation of Clan Salazar, Bossed by Sir Vigo Salazar, Co-Seconded by Dame Simone Alonzo and Dame Sante Alonzo." Chapman smiled at Vigo. "Welcome back, Boss Salazar."

Vigo barely heard the cheers that filled the Quorum. He was engulfed in the embrace of his sweets with Holis, Quyn, and Vael Kestryl slapping their shoulders.

"Go tell your people, Vigo! Go tell 'em they're a Clan!" Quyn urged him.

Vigo and his sweets left to do just that.

***

Vael shadowed Vigo until he reached a villa in the middle of the Stead. This was known as Roamer Row, where Bosses established homes for their crew. Others bought property here for their Sweethearts. Quyn had a manse nearby, where he resided with Holis, and Kestryl crew often gathered to relax and train.

Vigo's home was as large as Quyn's, big enough to be considered a mansion, with several smaller buildings around and extensive docking facilities.

Vael leaned on a lamppost and peered around it. Vigo did not disappoint.

He and his sweets stood on the wide porch, waiting for Vael.

"Why are you following us?" Sante asked.

"Reckoned I'd have a look at your rigs. See what we can do for 'em. We're rollin' out tomorrow, but we got crew in-Stead that can take care'a ya while we're on the trail."

"Do you ever stop?" Vigo stared at him with something like awe.

"Dunno whatcha mean. So, can I see the rigs?"

"In a rush?" Sante chuckled as he jogged up the steps to the porch.

"We roll out tomorrow. I'd like to spend most of my last day in dock with my sweets."

"I get you," Vigo nodded. "Come in."

He nodded to Simone who stepped to the front door and pressed her hand on it. Once the scan was complete, the locks disengaged, and the door slid open.

"I need that system for my sweets," Vael muttered.

"It's my sister's design," Sante preened. "We'll be happy to help."

Vael followed them through a wide foyer. Their boots thudded on the gleaming wood floor. They passed through an arch and Vael's ears stung with the sudden wall of noise.

The rooms here were packed with Roamers, some gaming, others playing cards or pool. Some were clustered around a bar and even more sat and lounged in front of a screen bigger than Zayn's couch.

"Oy, Salazar!" A bouncy girl with springy bright blue curls called out.

The noise in the room stopped at once and every Roamer's eye was on them.

"It's done," Vigo said simply.

Cheers and shouts erupted in the room. Many Roamers ran out in different directions, whooping and calling on comrades.

A rangy man with flat brown eyes and lank brown hair approached. "So, who's this then?" he jerked his chin at Vael.

"The catalyst for our success," Sante answered. "Ian Edgars, Vael Kestryl. Vael, Ian."

"Kestryl?" Ian's dull eyes flashed gold. "Why's he here?"

Simone stepped close to Ian and forced him to stumble back. She stalked him as he staggered over a chair and fell onto a sofa.

"To speak to Boss," Sante translated when Simone's hands moved.

Ian swallowed. "So, uh, we're a Clan, just like that?"

"We have five years under Kestryl, then we're on our own," Vigo explained.

"So, what?" Ian pushed back to his feet. "They gonna come and tell us what to do, how to be? That ain't what I signed up for."

"Look, Ian," Vael sighed. "I ain't here to take over. Vigo is your Boss. I'm just a Pilot, but I know Kestryl's specs. I'm just here to see what we can do to get things goin' for y'all."

"And how much'a our take are ya skimmin', huh?"

"Not my call," Vael smiled. "But, Ian, you gotta know that Kestryl is a bitchin' Clan, our crew is elite, our rigs tricked to the nines. We're willin' to help y'all out and share our specs, it's our obligation under Quorum to do so. What's your beef? I got none with you, hell I don't even know you.

"My Boss saw fit to speak for Salazar, and he also sees fit to offer resources you and yours ain't had access to. So lemme look at the rigs and I'll be gone."

Ian looked Vael up and down, a sneer lifting his lip. "Pilot and ginny, huh? You bangin' the Boss to get that gear?"

Vael's smile grew predatory, and Vigo's regard for the young Roamer grew by leaps.

"Y'know, the last man that said somethin' like that to me, just yesterday, I cut him," Vael traced his finger across Ian's cheek from the corner of his mouth to the corner of his eye. "Right there. Coulda' took his eye."

Ian jerked away, going pale, and Vael stalked close. "Now, Ian, I wanna like you, I do," Vael said silkily, "but you're makin' it awful hard. Why ya gotta show ass in front'a ya Boss, hm? You think I'd be here if he didn't bring me?"

"Step, Ian," Vigo ordered. "Vael, the rigs are out here."

Vael nodded to Ian, eyes flashing gold. "See ya 'round."

"Sante, you and Simone head back to our Lady, let her know the news," Vigo kissed her forehead and her sister's. "I'll be up before dark."

Vael watched Vigo watch them walk away. He knew that feeling so well.

When they were out of sight, Vigo nodded toward a sliding glass door. "Out here."

"Y'know, Vigo," Vael said, following him, "I know a guy that can give a blind man eyes, after a fashion. Maybe he can give your sweets back summa what they lost."

Vigo stopped and Vael had to step back to avoid running into him. "Why are you doin' all this?"

Vael shrugged. "What happened to you and yours is wrong. That it's gone on so long, is double wrong. You didn't approach anybody for help cuz it's our way to shun Clanless, 'stead'a gettin' the story.

"You'll never get restitution from Chadwick, so I wanna do what I can to put things as right as they can. That's how I was brought up.

"You don't gotta take 'em to Nic if ya don't wanna, but the option is there."

"Nic the Wizard?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Nobody knows where he is."

Vael smiled. "Almost nobody."

Vigo shook his head and got moving again.

There were eight rigs in the dock with four rovers. The only full-size rig was under a canopy with the hood up.

"Mind if I take a look?"

Vigo gestured for him to climb up.

"Hey," Vael nodded to the ginny working on the engine. "I'm Vael. What's the spec?"

The ginny blinked at him and looked at Vigo. When he got his nod, he turned back to Vael.

"I'm Rik. It's a diesel spec. Tryn'a flip it to 'lectric hybrid."

"That's straight old school tech, pre-Blighting. You got a battery that'll power this monster?"

"Gotta link up six of 'em and keep spares ready to swap out."

Vael shook his head. "No way it'll ever be reliable. You'll run the ginnies ragged swappin' batteries. Ever hear of the e-mag spec?"

Rik's brows went up. "Yeah sure, but never could get my hands on the deets."

"We run e-mag on our rigs with minimal fuel usage. I can get ya the specs and loan ya ginnies to help get it in. It's easy to replicate once ya know it. This thing won't take it, though." Vael jumped down and dusted his hands with a regretful sigh. "That old boy will blow before it hits full power."

"It's our only full size," Vigo frowned.

"No worries." Vael touched his com. "Boss, you got ears on?"

"Vael."

"We still got those rigs in storage, yeah?"

"Yeah, sure. You wanna turn 'em over to Salazar?"

"I do."

"I'll get 'em prepped and send some ginnies to lend a hand."

"Thanks, Boss." Vael closed the com. "So," Vael smiled at Vigo. "Boss is gonna take care'a ya."

Vigo frowned, bemused. "With what?"

"We got some rigs we retired, like six months ago, stored up. We ain't usin' 'em, but you can. One is Boss spec, two are battle spec. Another is general but can be specced for aux or medic. He's sendin' some of our ginnies to help yours get a handle on 'em."

"What...we're gettin' Kestryl spec rigs?" Rik's light brown eyes bucked. "You serious?"

"Yeah, sure. You're ours to look after. And we do that like we do everythin' else," Vael winked. "To the nines."

***

Vael looked over the rest of Salazar's rigs and rovers and sent his notes to Quyn. Within an hour he was on his way back to his sweets.

He found them at Betsy's laughing over stew and tea. His heart soared when he joined them, greedily accepting their kisses.

"How'd it go?" Zayn asked.

"It's done. Vigo is Boss of Clan Salazar. We're gonna help get their rigs updated and tricked out."

Selene clapped laughing. "Splendid! Del will be so pleased."

"Yeah sure, and she can finally wear his Sweetlock."

His sweets blinked at him in confusion.

"I reckon she doesn't wear it cuz Eudora'd spit acid," Vael stole a bit of meat from Zayn's bowl, "and now Vigo's a Boss, he's pretty much her equal. His Clan's a good size, about half the size of RoShae, Landau, or Kestryl. Adelia can wear a Sweetlock publicly and the Matron can object but can't stop her."

Selene frowned. "Are you sure about the 'lock?"

"He has three beaded braids," Vael explained, "only part of his hair he didn't keep cut. Two of 'em are the Twins. The third has to be Adelia. The beads are Windemere blue. 'Sides which, he loves all three of 'em fierce."

"Huh," Zayn sipped his tea. "I'm glad for her."

"You should be," Vael smiled. "Get this to go," he added. "I wanna take you two home. I got hours left before I'm gone and I wanna spend 'em all with you."

Zayn smiled, and Vael's already simmering blood went straight to boiling.

He might not make it to the bedroom, especially when Selene's lovely blue eyes darkened. The scent of their desire for him was heavy, too heavy. He growled and pushed away from the table.

Breathing deeply, Vael kept a measured pace so they could catch up. When they did, Selene jumped onto his back laughing and wrapping her arms and legs around him.

He laughed and hooked his arms under her knees, hitching her up so she could ride his back. He was very glad he wasn't wearing the twin long blades today.

"Y'know this is not quite what I have in mind when I think of you ridin' me, Peach."

"Oh, we'll get there, darling," she whispered in his ear, nibbling on the shell, and that made his cock perk up some more.

"Peach," he warned, "don't make me spank you in public."

Zayn laughed, dancing around them. "Oh please," he breathed, "you know that's a promise, not a threat."

He shook his head. They really did love a good spanking. "I've created monsters," he muttered. "Both'a ya."

"Yeah sure," Zayn teased. "And you love us."

"I do," Vael purred, snapping his teeth at Zayn when he sidled close.

By the time they were climbing the stairs, he had Selene nibbling on the back of his neck and Zayn's gorgeous ass bouncing in front of him.

He was going to blow the minute he got them naked, he just knew it.

Hopefully on or in at least one of them.

"Fuck," he growled. "Open the Lords-damned door."

Laughing, Zayn tumbled through their door and scrambled down the hall to the bedroom shedding clothes along the way.

***

The morning dawned clear and bright, finding Vael embraced by his sweets. He lay on his back, with an arm around each. Zayn's head rested on his chest, and Selene's on his shoulder.

He awoke to dim rays cutting through the drawn drapes and simply reveled in the feel of their warm skin pressed to his own. He'd made love to them long into the night and saw no reason to disturb their slumber, or his comfort by rising just yet.

"We should make breakfast," Zayn murmured, his breath raising tingles along Vael's skin.

"Mm, no," Selene responded drowsily. "We should sleep."

"Shh," Vael squeezed them gently. "If we lay here quiet, perhaps the sun will turn back and give us more time."

They snuggled closer, breathing almost in unison.

"We don't roll out 'til dusk," Vael said softly.

"Still," Selene yawned. "it is worth it to take our time as we will."

"I like the way you think, Peach," Vael chuckled.

Zayn slid a suggestive hand down Vael's rippled abs and lovingly palmed his cock.

"Mm," Vael purred, "you, too, Pretty."

***

It was past noon before they rose and made a leisurely meal together. They didn't bother to get dressed. Selene wore only a short shift, while Vael and Zayn went shirtless. They sat together in the middle of their bed, Vael hand-feeding his sweets while they spoke of the plans for their future.

By mid-afternoon, Vael reluctantly pulled his pack together and donned his gear. His sweets worked hard to keep his spirits up, but he knew they were growing pensive, already missing him.

He felt the same.

They left home for one more stroll to the market. Vael noticed several crewmates on their way as well and answered called greetings. Many of them were stopping at favored merchants for one last shop, while others crowded into the café for a final indulgent meal before rolling out.

Vael spied Quyn with Holis and several pilots in the café and made his way to join them after he seated his sweets. As he drew close to Quyn's booth, he saw the remaining pilots gathered and joined them.

"Pay mind, now," Quyn called, quieting them. "We need to settle a small matter. As ya know, we're short a Pilot and one over on Co-Pilots. You'll need to double up shifts for the run. We need to balance things out, so I'm takin' nominations for a Copilot to move to Pilot."

"Vael," Kit piped up.

Vael blinked in surprise. "I was gonna say you, Kit."

"Nah," Kit's smile turned sheepish. "I can't drive on the left."

"Well, you could learn," Vael insisted.

"Yeah sure," Kit agreed. "But Boss needs a Pilot like now, and I ain't it. You can do both," Kit shrugged, "so I vote you."

"I second that," Pauli, the Clan's most seasoned Pilot nodded. "That new bubble spec is the Lords-blessed bees. Pilots always got insane blind spots, always lookin' to improve our view, and Vael figured a way to make it work. Thinkin' like a Pilot an' a Ginny, all in one."

Quietly delighted, Quyn called for the vote. He smiled when every coin landed face-up on the table.

"Vote carries. Name your Copilot, Vael."

"Kit," he said, without pause.

The young man's light brown eyes widened, and he smiled.

"I accept!"

"Objections?" Quyn called. When none came forth, he nodded. "Right, on your way. We roll at dusk. Don't dawdle."

Accepting congratulations, Vael made his way back to his sweets. A platter of rolls already sat on the table with a carafe of chocolate and his sweets were feasting.

"Well," he sighed, settling between them, "it seems I've just been voted up to Pilot."

Selene squealed and Zayn cheered, both throwing their arms around him. He laughed, accepting a plate and a roll once they released him.

"Now, it's just a matter of doing the job," Zayn quipped, chewing happily.

"It is," Vael agreed, allowing himself to feel pleased. "A job I know I can do."

The café had an air of celebration as more Roamers arrived, many with sweets in tow. The crowd spilled out of the café until it filled every table.

Vael noticed Hamet Owyn hovering and peering around before he smiled and moved forward. Quyn and Holis met him, and they huddled together talking. Hamet blinked and nodded vigorously. Quyn smiled, shook his hand, and laid an arm over Hamet's shoulders.

Vael arched a brow when his father pointed him out to Hamet, nodding a greeting. The man's smile was brilliant and Vael smiled to himself, sure Quyn had given the man a job.

***

Vael checked his tablet when it buzzed in his pocket. Quyn had sent the assignments and he and Kit were assigned to the Battle rig. He tucked the tablet away and smiled at his sweets. They were gathering leftover rolls and finishing their chocolate.

Vael saw Roamers drifting out of the cafe, heading for the depot. He rose and his sweets joined him.

They walked together in silence. As they approached the depot, Selene linked an arm through his.

"We'll miss you," she whispered.

"Same goes, Peach," Vael smiled.

"I want to have our flat ready when you get back," Zayn said, linking arms on the other side.

"Don't rush Miss Ada, Pretty," Vael cautioned. "Better to do it well, than do it fast. I don't care so much about our surroundings as I do about you both being safe and comfortable."

Zayn nodded, lacing their fingers together.

All too soon they arrived and Vael stepped away from them to secure his gear on the rig. He moved forward to the cockpit, settling into the Pilot's seat. He left the door open while he ran a few quick checks and turned to move down the high steps.

Selene and Zayn stood at the front of the gathered crowd, and he beckoned them closer.

"Don't you have to get ready to go?" Zayn worried.

"I've got a minute, yet," Vael tugged them close until they leaned against him. He embraced them both, inhaling their mingled scents. "Take care of each other," he whispered. "And listen to your guards. If they say run, run. If they say stay, you stay. Get me?"

They nodded, snuggling close.

"All aboard!" Quyn called. "Kestryl, all aboard!"

With growing reluctance, Vael released his hold and dropped loving kisses on his sweets' upturned lips. He watched them move back and turned to resettle in his seat.

Kit slid into the Copilot chair and nodded at him. Together, they began the process of confirming the rig was ready to roll. Within a minute, they pulled their doors closed and sealed them.

Vael pressed the ignition and pumped the gas, listening to the enormous motor come to life with a quiet rumble.

"Pilots, check," Quyn called through the console.

"Boss rig up," Pauli responded.

"Battle rig up," Vael said.

"Aux rig up," Max, another senior Pilot called.

"Med rig up," Holis chimed in.

"Ginnies check," Quyn called.

Vael focused on settling his harness and adjusting his seat while the ginnies sounded off, then the spotters and gunners.

"Steady as she goes," Quyn called. "Let's roll."

"Boss rig rollin'," Pauli answered.

Vael watched the Boss rig beside him move out. Once it cleared the dock, Vael put the Battle rig in gear and slid in behind it.

Within moments, they cleared the walls and hit the trail.