And then they had each other in their arms—Giyt shaky, dehydrated, dirty, but entirely alive. “Shammy, Shammy,” she whispered in his ear. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, sounding as though he meant it. “I couldn’t figure out any way to let you know I was all right without letting Hagbarth know, too. Now let’s get back to town. They were making munitions up at the Pole! I’ve got evidence that’ll prove it—”
“I turned it over to the council already,” Rina told him.
“—and I have to get it to the six-planet meeting right away . . . You what?”
His mouth fell open as Rina explained what had happened. Then he shook his head, looking at her wonderingly. “Jesus, woman,” he said. “Looks like you’re perfectly capable of getting along just fine without me.”
“Why,” Rina said with satisfaction, “I actually never doubted I could. I just don’t want to.”