behind the change?” EJ didn’t dare look at the other Earther. The only thing that had changed recently that anyone remarked on was the proximity of the gen ship and EJ stowing away.
The other Earther shrugged. “It’s hard to say. It could be that he wants to get back to the rebellion and his son.”
EJ stumbled, catching herself on the smooth wall, and stared at Violet. “He has a kid? Why is... I mean, did you...”
She floundered for a polite way to ask all the questions she had. Not that it was any of her business, but she couldn’t reconcile the awful pirate captain with being anyone’s father. Was the boy half-Earther? Or were Xaravians one of the species that kept multiple mates?
“His mother was Faros’s first... mate,” Violet said. She frowned and waited for EJ to regain her balance before continuing on at a more measured pace. “I don’t know if they get married the same way Earthers do. She passed away years ago and Faryl, his son, had some health issues. Apparently much of the reason Faros became a pirate was to make enough money for new treatments for his son.”
“Oh. That’s... almost normal.” EJ shook herself. “I mean, it sounds like something any father would do. Maybe. I guess most people wouldn’t immediately turn to a life of piracy, but I understand the intent.”
Violet sighed as she paused next to the semi-familiar door to Nokx’s quarters. “It’s taken some getting used to, and—to their credit—the Xaravians have adapted to us. Sort of. On some things.”
EJ bit her lip to keep from laughing. “A resounding endorsement?”
“Well, they have many positive qualities,” Violet said, “that typically outweigh the negatives. Usually.”
“I guess it doesn’t really matter either way,” EJ said slowly. “Since they’re going to put me back on the gen ship anyway.”
Violet squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll see. Just stay positive. They’re not anywhere near the Hollbrd right now, so it’s not like it’ll happen tonight. And Faros knows better than to try and sneak you out of here without my knowledge. He may act like a doofus but he’s too smart to risk pissing off his mate.”
EJ didn’t entirely believe her, but at least Violet sounded confident. She smiled and tilted her head at the door. “I should get some rest before... Well, before Nokx gets back. I’m kind of surprised he isn’t already here.”
“Probably got put on a watch or sent to engineering to do something unpleasant,” Violet said. “I wouldn’t put it past Faros or Harzt. Either way, enjoy the rest while you can. I’m sure Nokx will keep you busy when he returns.”
EJ nodded and said good night, then found herself alone in the quarters that had started to feel too much like home. Which left her uneasy and restless. She didn’t have the right to make herself at home in Nokx’s room. She didn’t like feeling reliant on anyone else. Ever since she left the Fleet, she’d only really trusted herself. Maybe Bula and her team, but they never met face-to-face. EJ didn’t really have to rely on them. They asked her to do something and she figured out how to do it, then she moved on to the next port or ship or task.
Signing up to be in Nokx’s life, to make his quarters her quarters, meant... relying on him. Trusting him, and his crew, with her safety. She could mostly protect herself, but she hadn’t been part of an actual crew since the Information Ministry tried to kill her. She already didn’t trust Faros. There was something about the pirate captain that made her senses prickle in warning.
But with Violet and Gemma on the Sraibur, she had allies. Fellow Earthers and females. They didn’t treat her like a criminal or outcast, but they hadn’t fallen all over themselves to be best friends. EJ couldn’t stand the cloying, fake friendship that had bubbled up during training and in some places after she deserted. She didn’t trust people who were too nice. No one was ever nice without expecting something in return, and she much preferred the people who made it clear what they wanted instead of pretending they were natural altruists.
EJ paced after she changed out the sheets on the bed. She fumbled through pushing the old ones into the laundry chute and retrieving more through the ship’s delivery system, but eventually got the room set to rights. And still Nokx hadn’t returned.
She fiddled with a table from the wall, searching for something to