his flight status and rank for the duration of a solar year. He was also denied the right to leave Xanthia during that period.
Pergith was waiting for him in the hallway when Micah left the Minister of Flight's chambers. Micah would have passed him by, but Pergith grabbed him by the arm.
"I am sorry, Zermicazyne," he said. "I never thought the penalty would be so severe."
"Didn't you?" Micah stared at his old friend, and Pergith released his hold on Micah's arm.
"I wish you would join me for a late meal," Pergith said.
"No."
"We have been friends for many years," Pergith remarked quietly. "What I did, I did because I thought it was best for you. And for the Earth woman."
"Her name is Lainey," Micah said softly. "Lainey St. John."
He stared past Pergith, his heart aching with the knowledge that he would never see her again. He took a deep breath and expelled it in a long, slow sigh. "Farewell, Pergith."
"You will not forgive me for this?"
"No."
Pergith inclined his head in a formal gesture. "Very well. I will not trouble you again."
Micah watched Pergith walk away. He stood there for a long moment, feeling more alone than he could ever remember, and then he left the building.
Adanawas waiting for him outside. He had forgotten how lovely she was. Her hair, so blond it was almost white, fell to her waist in a mass of soft waves. Her eyes were as blue as earth's sky, her skin a smooth golden brown.
"Zermicazyne," she said, slipping her arm through his in an uncharacteristic display of affection. "I have missed you."
Micah nodded, wishing he could say he had missed her, too, and that it was good to be home. But it would only be a lie, and so he remained silent.
"What happened in there?"Adana asked in gentle concern.
"I was stripped of my rank and my flight status and admonished not to leave Xanthia."
"I am sorry. I know how much flying means to you." She squeezed his arm. "But perhaps some good will come of it."
"What do you mean?"
A faint blush tinged her cheeks. "You were scheduled for an exploratory flight to Delton Seven when you returned from your last mission, but now that you've been... now that you will not be leaving, we can expedite the date of our joining."
Her softly spoken words hit him like an iron fist. He had given his word, his pledge, to join withAdana . Speechless, he stared into the depths of her eyes and wondered how he could possibly fulfill his commitment now.
He remembered Lainey's words, spoken in hurt and fear:Go home and join withAdana . She'll probably give you a hundred sons . He thought of the nights spent in Lainey's arms, the attraction that had flowed between them, the way his heart had swelled with love whenever she was near.
In Lainey's arms, he had learned the true meaning of love, of caring and sharing. How could he join withAdana , plant his seed within her womb, knowing their progeny would be raised by others? If he was to have offspring, he wanted them to be nurtured by Lainey. Lainey who so badly wanted a child and could never have one.
Lainey... The thought of never seeing her again slashed through his heart like a laser blast.
Adanawas looking up at him, her expression worried. "Is something wrong, Zermicazyne? I'm sorry if I spoke out of turn. Perhaps now isn't the time to discuss intimate matters."
She was smiling at him, the look in her eyes asking for his forgiveness.
"I am sorry,Adana ," he said. "I... I have a lot on my mind right now."
"Of course." She gave his arm an understanding squeeze. "We can talk about it later."
"Yes," he said in a strangled voice. "Later."
Micah watchedAdana walk away. Joining wasn't quite as casual as he had made it sound when he spoke of it to Lainey. There were gifts to be exchanged, blessings to be obtained from theHighChurch , medical examinations to ensure that they were both in good health, mentally and physically.
Each requirement suddenly seemed like an obstacle that couldn't be overcome. The thought of buyingAdana a gift reminded him of the bracelet he had bought for Lainey; obtaining a blessing from the church reminded him that he had asked Lainey to marry him - to be his woman, not just until a child was conceived, but forever.
Joining with Adana, which he had once viewed as no more than an obligation to be fulfilled and forgotten, now filled him with