that more happened than what you’ve been told by your father. For one, I was never engaged to him. He asked. I said no. He didn’t like that. So he betrayed his people by helping the government on the planet of Florencia spy on us. They wanted to take over the individual moons. They wanted power over us, our land, and our money. The second the Federation showed up offering to help, Jack was right there with his hand out greedy for their shiny promises and pretty words.”
“I don’t rewrite history,” Violette denied. She breathed hard. “I saw my father killed by your hand. That’s what I know.”
“And I saw my whole world fall by the hand of your father,” Josselyn countered. “My brothers, they would have been your half-brothers, and my father were murdered. Let me give you a little history lesson, sis. When Florencia couldn’t deliver the moons to the Federation, they killed the head of the Florencian planet government and laid claim to the lands with some sham treaty clause before turning their forces to the moon. Again, there was colony spy Jack, all ready to kill whoever they told him to for his shiny white uniform and sparkly title. He proved he was a good little Federation lapdog by storming into my village and slaughtering nearly everyone. Those who weren’t killed were put into stone prisons. They destroyed everything I love. And when it looked as if we might win, they destroyed the weather satellites. They killed all life on those moons and then abandoned them to ice. When it was all said in done, they had killed colonies of people for a few forced recruits to fight in their armies and…” Josselyn’s voice caught. “And…”
Violette saw the woman’s expression. Josselyn believed what she said. The pain in it mirrored her own.
“Josselyn,” Evan urged softly, pulling her toward him. “It will be all right, baby.”
Violette didn’t know what to believe anymore. She watched Dev out of the corner of her eye, wishing he’d pull her close and whisper soothingly to her. Instead, he kept a firm hold on her as if to keep her from attacking.
“I understand your pain, but if you’re going to kill for something, don’t you want to know if it’s for the truth?” Josselyn reached a hand forward as if she’d touch her.
Violette jerked. Dev’s grip restrained her. “Let me go.” She jerked again. “Dev, let me go!”
Dev released her. Violette pushed past him, moving away from Josselyn and the others. She ran down the corridor. There was nowhere to go. The ship might have been bigger than hers, but it still felt small. She heard footsteps behind her and paused, glancing around. Dev caught up with her.
“Dev, I,” she took several deep breaths, “Dev, I…”
“Come.” He gently touched her elbow and led her into a room. Dev’s shirt lay across the narrow mattress. It was then she looked more fully at him. He wore only pants. His chest and feet were bare.
“Dev, I…”
“I thought it best for you to learn the truth before you saw your sister,” Dev said. “I never meant to deceive you. I regret letting you believe a lie, but—”
“Dev, don’t take this away from me,” she whispered. Tears burned her eyes. “Revenge is all I have.”
“No, you are more than revenge,” he said.
“No. That’s all I have left.” Violette gestured helplessly, unsure what she should do next. She wasn’t used to feeling vulnerable. “I have no family. I have a crew who like me well enough, but if I stopped paying them, they’d leave me without a backward glance. I owe it to my father. I made a blood oath the day he died to get justice. It is who I am. I need it.”
“Violette, you have me,” Dev whispered. “If you want me.”
Violette wished that was true. She wanted the words she read into his comment were real. She wanted to hear him say he loved her, needed her, chose her.
Though, what would happen if he had to choose? Her or Josselyn? His lover or a part of his crew? She didn’t doubt he liked her, but how far would he go for like? She didn’t want to hear the answer so didn’t ask.
“Let me take you to Florencia’s Fifth Moon so you can see for yourself,” he said. “If your oath is for justice, then learn the truth and then decide what is just.”
His words made sense. Instead of answering, she kissed him. Even if