Crownchasers (Crownchasers, #1)

by Rebecca Coffindaffer

Holographic Atar pauses, a few tears slipping over his high cheekbones. “As much as those years meant to me, this has meant even more—raising you, seeing you grow and develop and reach for the edges of the horizon. It has been everything to me, Birdie. More than a thousand empires. Charlie and I will miss you very much. Please come back and visit sometimes. We love you.”

An actual worldcruiser with a tiny red bow on the prow. I whirl around to Atar and Charlie, who stand, arms around each other, grinning at me. I’m having a hard time catching my breath. “That’s . . . ?” Charlie nods. “Yes.” “And it’s . . . ?” “Yours,” says Atar.

I want to taste the warmth of his mouth and feel that exchange that kisses provide. Where I take a little of him and he takes a little of me, and if they’re the right sort of person, like Hell Monkey is, they won’t just take the good parts and leave the bad.