Page 49 of Her Lawless Prince

“Payton,” Ryland’s voice came over the ship’s comms. “I know you’re upset—”

“Livid!” she yelled over his words.

“—but I’m doing this because I care about you. You’re not thinking straight—”

“I’m thinking fine!”

“—and are making questionable decisions. I—”

“You’re a questionable decision!”

“—know you would do the same for me if you thought I was in trouble.”

“Oh, youarein trouble, Ryland. When I get out of here, I’m going to kick your furry ass!” Payton slammed her hands against the door. “I want to see Nyle! Open this door. I need to see Nyle!”

Her heart pounded, and she tried to catch her breath.

“Yevgen!” she yelled, knowing the cyborg had great hearing. “I need you. I’m locked in a room. Come get me out—”

“Hello, my love. This is Yevgen,” the cyborg said over the comms as if she wouldn’t know him.

Payton looked toward the ceiling as if she could somehow glare at his voice hard enough to let him feel her anger.

“My new brother Ryland and I have discussed the situation and have agreed that you have been acting out of your normal character. You are not one to take a lover. Especially not a man who has a connection to Yeven Genetic Cyborgtronics Laboratories. And you are not one to disregard the traditions of marriage, even if it is a half mating. He has explained what it means to be a Var husband. As a shifter, you are physically strong and worthy of battle. However, as your husband, it is my duty to protect you and intervene in mental health matters. I promise to help you.”

Payton threw up her hands and growled low in her throat. What in all the universes was this nonsense? She paced around the room, trying to calm her breathing. It felt like she’d stepped into a parallel world where her brother and best friend had lost their damned minds.

“Good news. We’re flying clear skies and have most of our life support systems intact,” Rick announced. “Dev tells me we might lose lights again as we divert power. Don’t panic. We’re going to try to burst a transmission to the Var towers and let them know we’re on our way. As to the current travel arrangements, I can’t say that I agree, but Payton you rest easy. We’ll get it all settled once we land. I’ll let you know as soon as Nyle is out of the medical booth.”

Payton closed her eyes and tried to feel relief. Nyle was in the booth. He was receiving care. Logic said her brother stirring up panic had just been a ruse to get her into this cage. Still, she couldn’t completely tamp down the fear that remained, the thoughts that whispered,what if?

What if he didn’t wake up?

What if Ryland removed Nyle from the ship before she could talk to him?

What if he told their elders what he believed to be the truth?

What if she didn’t get a chance to explain? A chance to defend Nyle? A chance to tell him she…

“Nyle, I’m sorry,” she whispered as she dropped to the floor. “I should have been better. I should have made better choices. Everything’s a mess.”

Payton was sorry she’d half mated with Yevgen. She loved her friend, but she wasn’t in love with him. Shifters did not take mating lightly, but that’s exactly what she had done. She never thought she’d find that kind of love. All her life she’d been focused on running wild and helping the Cysgodians any way she could. She was about adventure and freedom.

Now she was trapped in a marriage. It wasn’t like she could simply change her mind and get out of the decision. There was a process—a long embarrassing process—and no one would prioritize it with the threat of the Federation looming and the future of so many people on the line.

She wasn’t sure how long she stayed on the floor before movement sounded overhead. The lights flickered and turned dark. A soft glow illuminated the room. She looked up to where the viewing screen had lowered.

The picture of a young Nyle amongst the Cysgodian scientists appeared. She’d seen it before.

Payton slowly stood. She pushed the button to bring out a bed.

“I already know who he is,” Payton yelled as she sat on the bed. Her brother and Yevgen were most likely listening. “I’ve seen this before.”

She tried not to look up, but the light flashed, and she had a hard time ignoring the screen.

Images of Cysgod showed overhead. She knew what they were doing. Ryland wanted to make sure she’d seen them, and Yevgen appeared only too eager to help.

She didn’t need to see the bodies lining the street or the funeral bonfires. She knew the toll the virus had taken on that planet. She had seen the agony and the long-term damage of the survivors.

---