Page 137 of Warrior Revealed

He nodded, and Payim closed his eyes as the weight of the news settled on him.

“And the carrier was damaged. Which is why the Jurou Biljana were eager to steal the rift drive from the Miran Sona ship we recovered,” he added.

“So, we’re potentially looking at, at least a thousand human casualties.” Payim wiped a hand over his face.

“A thousand?” Nadzia whispered in shock.

“Possibly more if the wrecked vessel held the coordinates to Earth or the New Earth colony.” Aculus grit his teeth.

“Oh God,” Nadzia sobbed then covered her mouth.

“So the reptiles now have everything they need to get through the wormhole,” Payim growled. “I will contact Daimio Kagan and our Miran Sona friends immediately.”

Aculus cut off the transmission then sent a message to the Conclave.

Miran Sona, he wanted to growl. They were a well-meaning race, creating the human colony. But sending the humans and a handful of caretakers out into the cosmos without providing sufficient support was unbelievably foolish. Especially with the existence of other predatory races like the Jurou Biljana.They’re not saving the humans, they’re hastening their extinction.

He paused to pull Nadzia closer, as concern for her people engulfed him. He could only imagine what she was suffering. That was when he realized he’d been tugging her down the corridor.

“I’m sorry. Why didn’t you tell me you were having trouble keeping up?” He scooped her into his arms.

“We had other more important things going on.” She smiled wistfully at him.

“I’m going to do everything I can for your people,” he promised and she nodded. “But there will always be something going on. Please don’t let me ignore your needs ever,” he insisted.

“I don’t think that’s an issue,” she snorted, her expression brightening slightly.

“You are probably right. You are very good at expressing your opinions.” He held her tight against him.

“We make a pretty good team.” Nadzia cupped his cheek and leaned in to kiss him.

“I feel very guilty saying this, but we may be late for this emergency meeting,” he husked against her lips as he pressed her against the tunnel wall.

“We captured the assassins and got the intel from Jyk. Let’s let someone else take it from here,” she whispered back as she wiggled against him.

“We are a very good team.” He captured her lips.

Thirty-Two

I Now Pronounce You

Two Weeks Later

Nadzia

“Do it again. Show me how it’s done,” Merus insisted as he jabbed Aculus in the side and cast her a rowdy grin.

“We better give in. He can be relentless,” Aculus told her.

Nadzia laughed as she gave in and placed a hand on Aculus’ cheek. He also placed his palm on hers, as was the tradition.

“There he is,” Merus crowed as Aculus’ shell receded, revealing his face.

“Stop it! You’ve seen it already.” Bregma thumped Merus on his head.

“Just let him get it out of his system, because when he finds his weakness, I’m going to be merciless at his pronouncement party,” Aculus declared.

“See!” Merus groused at his mother.

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