All of it was fascinating and best of all, she never felt afraid anyplace she went. Kaylee and Talon had both explained to her that she would never be in danger aboard the Mother Ship because the Kindred revered women and so none of the big warriors would ever harm her.
Of course, during her exploration, she got some surprised and pitying looks, due to the bruising and swelling on the left side of her face. But if anyone asked, she just said she’d tripped and run into a door. It was an old lie—one she’d been forced to tell often when she was still with Hank. But Mia reminded herself that after her face finally healed, she would never have to tell it again. She would be free to do what she wanted without fear of making him angry—and she would never, ever have to see him again!
That was such a wonderful thought that she woke up with a song in her heart almost every morning. Literally—it was a tune that seemed to well up from her heart and hover on her lips—a song of pure joy. Mia had never been much of a composer before—she was always playing the works of others. But now, whenever she went to the music complex with Kaylee when Talon was on patrol, she sat at the grand piano and worked on bringing the song to life.
“That’s a happy little ditty,” Kaylee remarked, smiling at her and humming along on the third or fourth morning Mia had been aboard the Mother Ship. “What do you call it?”
“I haven’t really thought of a name yet,” Mia confessed. “It just…came to me.”
“What about calling it the ‘No More Hank Song’?” Kaylee suggested with a grin.
Mia smiled back.
“Maybe. But I don’t know—I don’t want to put his name on anything that makes me so happy.”
“I don’t blame you,” Kaylee told her. “And just to let you know, Talon and another one of his pilot buddies is going down to Earth soon with the divorce papers so you can be legally free of him as well as physically free.”
“Please tell them to be careful!” Mia exclaimed, worry twisting her stomach. “Hank is armed everywhere he goes. He even sleeps with a gun under his pillow at night!”
“They’ll be wearing plenty of shielding,” Kaylee assured her. “And they’ll make him sign those divorce papers. But Talon knows to be careful—we know how crazy your ex is.” She made a face.
“My ex…” Mia shook her head and gave a little laugh as some of the worry melted away. “That sounds so…final.”
“It is,” Kaylee said firmly. “You can even go back to your maiden name. What is it, anyway?” she added. “I don’t even know.”
“Mia Hansen,” Mia said. “I was Mia Hansen before Hank married me.” She shook her head. “It sounds so strange to say that name again. It makes me feel light as a feather.” She played a few more notes of her happy song and smiled up at her friend.
“Mia Hansen—it sounds perfect,” Kaylee said. “We should celebrate the return of the maiden name!” She pursed her lips thoughtfully. “I know—come out to dinner with Talon and me tonight. There’s a new Twin Kindred restaurant that just opened on the edge of the parklands around the Sacred Grove and I’m dying to try it. We can celebrate there.”
“Oh, I don’t know—you two should be alone,” Mia protested. “You don’t need me butting in on your honeymoon.”
“Don’t be silly,” Kaylee told her. “We haven’t even had the wedding yet—or, the ‘Joining ceremony’ as the Kindred call it—so you’re not butting in. You’re more than welcome to leave us alone after supper if you want, but please come eat with us. You’re a guest in our suite and we hardly ever see you.”
That’s because the two of you are too busy screwing each other’s brains out, Mia thought with amusement.
“Oh, I’ve been exploring the ship,” she said, smiling. “It’s so big and there’s so much to see and this is the first time in years I can go anywhere I want without any fear of getting in trouble for it. I mean, I couldn’t even go to the grocery store back home, without begging Hank to let me go first.”
Kaylee shook her head.
“That son of a bitch! Even I didn’t know how hard he was on you, Mia. I’m so sorry.” She put a hand on Mia’s shoulder and squeezed gently.
“It’s okay,” Mia assured her. “You came back for me and rescued me. You didn’t forget about me even though you were busy with your new husband.” She smiled up at Kaylee. “You’re a true friend.”
“I should have come earlier,” Kaylee said fretfully. “I just got so wrapped up in being with Talon.” She gave a rueful sigh. “You have no idea how involved you can get when there’s this much attraction between you. It’s like I can’t keep my hands off him! And he feels the same about me.” She giggled.