Page 105 of Warrior Revealed

“Sir, please have a seat,” she said, calmly but sternly, channeling her father.

Tellar’s eyes widened and the entire Conclave murmured.

“How dare you…” Axilla began, her expression livid.

“No, how dare you all.Thisas you so indelicately put it isyourfault,” she spoke low, forcing the Conclave to quiet to hear her. “Although I don’t expect you to listen to me any more than you have him, I’m going to tell you what I’ve learned about Aculus and hope you take it to heart, because heisprepared to cut ties with you completely.” She got up and began walking the length of the table. “When I first met Aculus, he’d just saved me from my own people, a people he was attempting to save, like he’s done for so many people.”

“We’re aware of the details of his mission.” Axilla glared at her.

“But are you aware that Aculus proceeded to hound me, chasing me at every turn despite how I mocked him?” she countered.

“You insulted the Premiere Servant!” one of the Conclave said, stunned.

“I did, because I wasn’t about to give in so easily to a man who’s bedded a woman on every planet he landed.”

“What are you implying?!” Axilla snapped.

“Yes, what are you saying?” Tellar asked, looking more intrigued than offended.

Just like a man, proud of his son’s conquests.She would’ve laughed if she wasn’t trying to make a point.

“My point is rather depressing actually. It’s the same reason he refuses to stay home for long and risks his life at every turn,” she growled angrily.

The Conclave stared at her, some looking mad but most confused. She shook her head.

“Aculus wants to be loved,” she shouted at them, tears welling up in her eyes.

“We love him!” Axilla insisted indignantly.

“Not the way he deserves. You love him for his position. In fact, that’s the cruel lesson you’ve pounded into him his whole life, even now. Everything you did screamed that he didn’t matter. So, he joined the Paladin to get away and because it was his decision and still a way to serve his people. But notice how he’s succeeded, risen to the top, to make you proud, hoping you’d see him as something more than a title. Hechoseall those women on his own terms, and yet still found those relationships as hollow as his conclave here at home, because most of them only saw his title.”

“I don’t appreciate being lectured about my own young. I bore Aculus and you’ve known him maybe a lunar cycle.” Axilla scowled at her.

Although Bregma looked morose and regret flashed in Tellar’s eyes, as she looked around the table, she saw that her words had little effect. Her heart ached for Aculus. She hadn’t really expected to be heard, since they hadn’t listened to Aculus, but she had to try.

“True, which makes this even sadder because you know I’m right, yet in your stubbornness you’re willing to lose him.”

She shook her head in disappointment and walked out before anyone could say something to make her more depressed.

Twenty-Four

Xerocle

Aculus

“They abducted Nadzia!” he cursed the Jurou Biljana. “That reptilian bastard took my female! Shot her in the back.”

His hands shook, itching to throw the box he held, and watch it shatter into a million pieces against the wall. But he stilled them before ruining the heirloom he planned to give Nadzia. Instead he dropped it on the table and punched the wall.

“Did you break it?” Nadzia asked from behind.

“No.” He glanced at the box.

“I meant your hand.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against his back.

“What did you have to say to the Conclave?”

“Just that you’re amazing and they’re missing out.” She rubbed his stomach.

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