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“Oh, Mara,” Cilghal said tearfully, coming to the table to lay her webbed hand on Mara’s shoulder.

Luke caught sight of the skeptical glances exchanged by Tomla El and Oolos, but he said nothing. Rather, he looked again at Mara through the Force and found her luminous.

A smile of unabashed delight split his face. He put his arm under his wife’s shoulders and gently lifted her into his embrace. Her arms encircled his neck, and she clung to him, crying quietly and joyously.

“We have our victory,” Luke whispered.

TWENTY-EIGHT

Leia hurried through the apartment’s front entry onto the skyway balcony. But as eager as she was to give Han and Anakin the good news about Mara, she restrained herself from intruding on their conversation.

“The thing I still can’t figure out,” Han was saying, “is what put it in my head that Elan’s breath was deadly. It was like I heard a voice warning me. That’s when I grabbed the multitool.”

Gazing out across the city canyon, Han had one foot up on the balcony railing and the survival tool in his right hand. His travel pack sat at his feet. When a long moment had elapsed and Anakin still hadn’t responded, Han turned to him and loosed a short laugh.

“Thanks.”

Anakin’s brooding look changed to one of perplexity. “For what, Dad?”

“For not telling me that I was hearing Chewie through the Force.”

Anakin smiled. “Yeah, like I’d even think about saying that to you.”

Han raised his index finger. “And don’t even think about telling your uncle, either. All I need is for Luke to hear that I’m hearing voices. This is strictly between you and me and the stair pillar, got it?” He turned slightly in Leia’s direction. “No offense, sweetheart.”

Leia showed him a blatantly counterfeit smile. “Better the stair pillar than the tread, sweetheart.”

Han nodded smugly, stood up, and approached Anakin. “Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for showing up at Roa’s ship that day.” He proffered the survival tool. “If it wasn’t for this … well, you know all about that.”

“Thank Chewie,” Anakin said. “He made it.”

Han shook his head. “I’ve already thanked Chewie. This is something between you and me.” He grasped Anakin by the shoulders and tugged him into a tight embrace.

Leia thought her heart might break. Her hand flew to her mouth and she fought back tears.

Han moved Anakin away, but he kept his hands on his son’s shoulders. “I’m sorry for what I said and the way I’ve been acting since Chewie died, Anakin. We did everything we could have done at Sernpidal, and Chewie knew that. We both know who’s responsible for his dying. But I don’t want vengeance prompting you to do anything foolish, you understand? You and Jacen and Jaina are more important to me than you’ll ever know.”

Anakin nodded and almost grinned. He and Han embraced once more.

“I’ve gotta get going,” Anakin said after a moment. “Uncle Luke is expecting me back on Yavin 4.”

“One thing before you leave,” Leia said, smiling. “Vergere’s gift seems to be working.” She cut her eyes to Han. “I just heard from Luke that Mara is stronger than she’s been in months. Whatever the tears contain, they’re taking a lot out of her, but Oolos and Tomla El are hopeful that Mara will be in full remission in a few weeks.”

The three of them fell into a brief, gleeful embrace, which Anakin broke.

“First the Yuuzhan Vong poison Mara, then they send an assassin against us,” he said bitterly. “I’ll remember what you said about vengeance, Dad, but they’ve made this war personal.”

Leia’s eyes clouded over with misgiving, and she gave Anakin another hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Take care of yourself.”

“Hey, kid,” Han shouted as Anakin was heading for the skyway bridge. “Any chance that Lowbacca’s become so busy with Jedi stuff that he and Waroo have forgotten about the life debt?”

“Not when I spoke to him last.”

“Blast,” Han muttered. “I guess I’m going to have to deal with this sooner or later.” He glanced at Leia and smiled. “So Vergere was on the level, after all.” He