Dark Before Dawn

“Have we met?” a strange voice asked her.

Inyri turned to see who was speaking. Her light brown eyes met with hazel ones, and she found herself looking at the most interesting looking man she had ever seen. He was tall, had a lean build, with dark hair and a finely drawn face. She smiled. “I don’t think so. Why?”

“I saw this beautiful woman standing across the room who looked vaguely familiar. I had to find out for sure.” He held his hand out. “I’m Char Delijer.”

“Inyri Forge.” Inyri went to shake his hand and was not all that surprised to find that he kissed the back of it instead. She fought to roll her eyes at the gesture. Men were so predictable sometimes.

“A pleasure, Inyri, though I would still like to figure out why you’re so familiar.”

“I’m a member of Rogue Squadron. Sometimes our holos get shown a lot.”

“Ah, so that explains why you’re in a dress uniform. I know someone who married a pilot in Rogue Squadron.”

Before Inyri could ask whom, they heard another voice cut through the din of the crowd. “Char Delijer, you’re not up to your usual tricks are you?”

Both Inyri and Char turned to see Corran Horn and his wife, Mirax Terrik Horn, approach them. It was Mirax who had spoken. Char smiled. “I was wondering if you two would show up.”

Mirax smiled in return, accepting the hand that he offered. “It would have been a bit noticeable if Corran didn’t show, and he wasn’t about to come on his own.” She winked at Inyri. “Don’t you believe a word he says. This reprobate is just a big flirt.”

Char did not bother to deny it. “You know I can’t resist a beautiful lady,” he returned the jibe, shaking Corran’s hand. “Why do you think I kept chasing you so much?”

“Ah, but my heart was already spoken for.” Mirax slipped her arm around Corran’s waist and kissed his cheek.

“How do you two know each other?” Inyri asked.

“Char here is an independent broker that I have worked with from time to time.” Mirax replied. “He was the reason I started smuggling for the Rebellion.”