Page 72 of Her Lawless Prince

“What about Cysgod?” Justina asked.

“It’s uninhabitable,” Griggs said. “You want out from under the Federation’s protection, then we withdraw all support. The planet is yours. It is up to you to safeguard it until your return. We will not intervene. If, at the end of its quarantine, the planet becomes abandoned, then it’s anyone’s to inhabit.”

The general meant it as a threat, and in many ways, it was. With a dwindled population and no one living on the surface, it would be hard for the poverty-stricken Cysgodians to maintain authority over it for a hundred more years. The general didn’t realize that the shifters would do everything they could to help if the Cysgodians still wanted to return to Cysgod.

“Counterpoint. You don’t have to enforce protection, but you will leave it listed under protected status to deter trespassers,” King Ualan stated. “And if anything comes to your attention, you will immediately alert the Cysgodian authorities.”

“Fine,” the general agreed. “It’s marked as contaminated and dangerous anyway. I doubt anyone will care to land inside a hot zone. Nothing left there is worth the risk.”

“So you’ve been back?” Payton thought of the virus.

The general nodded. “We sent a medical team after the relocation to sweep the planet’s laboratories and hospitals for any remaining contaminates. They discovered nothing worth noting about the source of the infection.”

“We want any records you have about what you’ve found,” Justina said.

The general swept her hand as if it didn’t matter. “Anything else?”

“And this,” Roderic glanced around, “building?”

“Keep it,” the general dismissed. “It’s outdated.”

Payton wanted to point out that they didn’t want the ugly structure but kept her mouth shut. The Cysgodians needed a safe place to live and had already occupied the fortress and barracks.

“Are we in agreement?” General Griggs held her hand toward the ass-kisser, who gave her the device. The general took it and placed it on the table. “I’ll need both kings’ signatures.”

“All the residents of Shelter City are free,” Kirill said, his tone firm as he clarified the most important points, “and the Federation is relinquishing all rights to remain on Qurilixen. I want that in unmistakably plain writing.”

“Yes.” The general picked up the device and handed it back to her minion to add the words before she drew her finger over the handheld to sign it. Pushing it toward King Kirill, she said, “Sign it so I can withdraw from this planet. I have no wish to spend the night. We have a long flight ahead to the Zenni District.”

Kirill held up the device, reading it. He looked at the dragon king. “It’s all there. Everything she said. Do we agree?”

Ualan nodded.

“Yes,” Korbin said. “Whatever gets them off this planet.”

“Are you sure it’s long enough?” Grier asked. “Usually, these Federation agreements require several hours and stone hard fortitude to plow through.”

“The Cysgodians will be happy to have their lives back,” Justina said.

“If they do not live up to the terms, we will release the truth,” Falke warned.

General Griggs waved her hand in exasperation. “Threats noted.”

“I don’t trust them, but yes,” Payton voted. “Whatever gets them off the planet.”

Kirill and Ualan both signed.

“Confirm they’re ready so we can finish this and go,” the general said, moving toward the door.

“They are.” The ass-kisser studied her device. “Everything is ready for your command, general.”

“I’ll escort you to your ship.” Falke stood to walk the general out.

“Copy of the agreement is sent to both palaces,” ass-kisser stated. She tapped her device against the holographic disk. “It’s here as well.”

Yevgen’s face was replaced by a copy of the latest agreement.

“We’ll take care of the prisoner and be on our way.” Griggs pushed through the doors.

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