Chapter 15

Aks put on his big, bright grin and gazed into the screen. Relda held her breath and counted to ten in silence.

“Not to be rude,” she snapped, “but if you have your own mirror, we have places to be.”

Raylay’s bottom lip dropped, and his eyes widened. He directed his attention to Ty, who shrugged.

“Let me do the talking, Princess,” he begged. “Please.”

“I don’t see what’s the big deal,” she said.

Aks looked at the boys, and then looked at Relda. She held her tongue over her top lip.

“Well,” he said. “My machines and comps are in the office wing.”

“Do we really need all of that?” Relda interrogated. “Machines and comps and the like?”

When a sloppy-postured Raylay side eyed her, she shoved her hands into her pockets.

“Can’t you just interpret the yellow stars?” She concluded.

Aks tightened his grip on the viewing screen. He kept his poise.

“Princess…?” He said.

“Relda. Just call me Relda,” she said.