different? They won’t distrust them or look down on them or ostracize them for being from Earth, a planet Ami admitted your people view as primitive and barbaric?”
He shook his head. “Our people aren’t just more advanced technologically. We’re more advanced socially. We learned long ago that we are far stronger as a society when we embrace each other’s differences. And that includes embracing the differences of those who choose to migrate to our planet. As long as deception is not their intent and they abide by our laws, your gifted ones would be welcomed.” He returned his attention to Ami. “You could serve as ambassador to Earth from Lasara. We have communication devices that can breach the distance between our worlds.”
“I know. But I’ll use those comms from here.”
His mind worked furiously. “What if—?”
“There’s something else,” Amiriska interrupted, then looked up at her husband. “Adira just went through an incredibly traumatic experience. Little Michael did, too. And they have been clinging to each other ever since.”
Michael, Taelon had learned, was a little boy about the same age as Adira who lived here with his adoptive immortal parents.
Marcus’s brow furrowed. Resting his hands on Amiriska’s hips, he drew her up against him.
And Taelon had to admit such an intimate pose would shock Lasaran people despite their being bonded.
Ami rested her hands on Marcus’s chest. “I don’t think uprooting Adira and taking her away from Michael and Seth and David and the two dozen or more other people here she loves would be a good idea. I worry what that would do to her. And I worry what it would to do Michael to lose Adira so soon after he lost his mother and after experiencing this latest trauma.”
Marcus pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. “You’re right. I wasn’t thinking. I just knew how much you missed your family and wanted to do anything I could to help you make your way back to them.” He sighed. “I want you to be happy, Ami.”
“I am happy. And even though I’d love to see my family again, we have to do what’s best for our daughter.”
Taelon glanced down at the infant who now slept peacefully in the crook of his arm and understood more than ever what that meant. It made him want to weep. Because if he were in Amiriska’s position, he would remain on Earth, too, if that was the best way to ensure his daughter’s happiness and welfare.
Regret burned his stomach like acid. “You think it would harm your daughter to leave Earth?”
Amiriska turned to face him in Marcus’s arms but didn’t break her husband’s hold. “Yes.”
“Then I will offer no further protest.”
Tears welled in his sister’s eyes.
Lisa gently took their daughter from him, her face somber, and stepped back. As soon as his arms were free, Taelon moved forward.
Amiriska lunged toward him and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. “I’m sorry.”
His throat thickened. “I can’t believe I crossed the galaxy to find you and will now have to say goodbye.”
“Not goodbye,” she responded, her voice choked with tears. “Once you provide us with a Lasaran communication system, we’ll be able to see each other and speak anytime we want to.”
He hugged her tighter. “It won’t be the same.”
“I know.”
When she loosened her hold, he didn’t want to let her go but forced himself to.
She stepped back and impatiently swiped at the tears that dampened her cheeks. “You’ll have to help me talk Mother and Father into understanding that there are good people on Earth despite the torture we both endured and obtain their permission to allow gifted ones to migrate to Lasara. The first group could accompany you back. And if all goes well with them, Levik can help us with the logistics of sending more.” She frowned. “Wait. You are going back to Lasara, right?”
Taelon started to mouth an affirmative but realized his answer would depend on what Lisa wanted. He glanced down at her. “Lisa?”
Her eyes widened. “You’re asking me to decide?”
He was… and realized anew why Amiriska was hesitant to leave. If Lisa said she wanted to remain on Earth, he would stay. He could neither leave her nor force her to go where she didn’t want to go. He loved her. He wanted her to be happy. “Yes.”
Her expression softened. “There’s nothing here for me, Taelon. No family. No friends. I was actually starting to hope that maybe I could find that on Lasara with you.”
Dipping his head,