---
Luna's arms loosened.
"I think," she said, "I am going to—"
She slumped.
Her head dropped against his shoulder, suddenly heavy. Her antennae sagged, ears drooping.
Murmurs spiked.
"Kai—" Mia started.
"She is fine," he said sharply, gathering Luna into his arms.
It was like lifting a bundle of plates and muscle. The new abdomen added weight, but he was still stronger. He slid one arm under her knees, supporting the curve of her lower body, and another around her back.
"She is out of aura," he told the room. "That is all. Like someone who ran too far and forgot to stop. She needs rest. No one panic. No one go poking at her."
Drones on the ledges settled a little. The captains, used to reading his tone, eased.
"Should I send for anyone," Shadeclaw asked. "Mia. Or…"
"Later," Kai said. "I have enough aura to patch the worst of it. The rest is sleep. Get back to work. Yavri, Shadeclaw, split the new watch lists between you. Akayoroi—"
