Page 45 of Honor Bound

Julia’s lips twitched despite the gravity of the situation. Leave it to Sergi—and Mei—to find humor in dangerous situations. The thought of Mei sobered Julia. She truly hoped the other woman had survived.

Once Roan was folded into the bot, Sergi reprogrammed it to head directly to the docking bay. She exchanged a brief glance with Sergi before heading to the lift they had arrived in. The bot would take the service lift and Sergi—well, Sergi was taking a route that she hoped didn’t cause too much damage to Hutu’s ship. A glance over her shoulder showed the supply bot trundling off toward the service lift at the opposite end of the corridor. Sergi had already disappeared.

Julia breathed out a tense sigh as the lift doors opened and she stepped inside and turned.

* * *

The doors slid open with a whoosh two levels down. Julia murmured a good evening to two crew members as she exited the lift. Deep in thought, she turned a corner and walked straight into a pair of thick, dark-red arms. Her head shot up and her lips parted on an apology before ending on a hiss of dismay when she recognized the man she had collided with.

Of all the luck,she silently groaned before schooling her face into a polite mask.

“Good evening, General Gomerant,” she greeted.

“Hutu,” he corrected before he frowned and glanced over her shoulder.

Her lips twitched. “Hutu.”

“Having trouble sleeping, Dr. Marksdale?” Hutu asked, his tone casual but tinged with wariness.

Julia smiled faintly. “Please call me Julia. I was feeling restless. Thought I’d take a stroll. It often helps me relax.”

Hutu didn’t move, his eyes narrowing slightly. “A stroll through the lower decks?”

Julia shrugged. “It is the quietest place on the ship. Back home, I would have gone for a run. That’s a little difficult in space.”

Hutu said nothing, his gaze drilling into her like he was trying to peel back her thoughts layer by layer. Then his expression softened, though the suspicion lingered beneath it.

“I spoke with Josh earlier,” Hutu said, his tone shifting slightly.

Julia’s heart skipped a beat. “Josh? How is he?”

“He was concerned about you, and thankful that you have been found.” Hutu’s eyes darkened. “The Legions attacked Plateau after their deadly attack on Tesla Terra and their annihilation of the capital of Jeslean has sent shockwaves through the galaxy. He is working with the rebels in the region for a counter-offensive.”

Julia’s throat tightened. She had heard fragments of the story, but seeing the grief flicker in Hutu’s eyes gave it weight.

“He is a good man and a strong leader,” she said quietly.

“He is,” Hutu agreed, his voice softening. “I fear if what Roan has told me is true, it will not be the last of the devastation. I fear not even the legend of the Ancient Knights will be strong enough to stop what is coming.”

Julia frowned. “What did he tell you?”

Hutu lifted an eyebrow. Julia’s thoughts flashed to Roan—his losses, his guilt, his determination to fight back. The few days they had together on Plateau were bittersweet. They had talked, but there was still so much that she didn’t know about him. A lack of knowledge that she hoped she wouldn’t come to regret.

Hutu’s expression hardened again. “You need to be careful, Julia. Roan is a Landais and a Legion general. He’s not to be trusted.”

Julia dropped her gaze, hiding the swirl of conflicting emotions tightening in her chest.“I understand,” she murmured, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Hutu watched her for a beat longer before stepping aside. “Get some rest. You’ll need it.”

Julia gave him a strained smile and bowed her head in agreement. “I plan to. Goodnight, Hutu.”

“Goodnight, Julia.”

She continued on her way with calm, measured steps, her pulse thrumming beneath her skin. Every step felt like a countdown, the air charged with unspoken tension.She could feel Hutu was watching her.

It wasn’t until she reached the mid-ship landing bay and saw La’Rue’s freighter that she breathed a tired sigh of relief. She lifted a hand to smooth her hair. Her lips pursed with distaste when she noticed that her hand wasn’t quite steady. Once again, she wondered how Sergi and Mei did it—acted perfectly normal in strange and dangerous situations.

If I ever see Mei again, I’m going to have to ask her.

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