Page 138 of Taken By the Aurelian Warriors

Or, a version of the truth.

In all honesty, I’m not certainhowI managed to know just what to say; only that I did.

The door at the other end of the courtroom suddenly burst open.

It’sher!

It’s my life – myNatali.

I breathe a sigh of relief – but I needn’t do. Iknewthat Natali would choose us. I’d felt utter faith in my Fated Mate, and that faith had allowed me into her mind; to discover the one way out of our trap.

The courtroom empties as the spectators are hustled out. Even amid the crowd, though, there’s nothing that exists in this chamber excepther– my perfect mate.

She runs straight toward me, jumping into my arms. I wrap her up, protecting her from everything there is in the world. I squeeze her tightly, and breath in her scent – smelling her hair, the scent of her body, and the taste of howrightshe is.

It’s driving me wild. I finally have something better than Natali’s aura in my mind. I have her body, too – her being, protected forever in my grasp.

I will never let anyoneevercome between us again. I feel the perfection of this moment – after we’d nearly faced centuries apart – and when she looks up at me, it’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.

Natali’s eyes are wet with terrified tears – still flowing from what she’dthoughtwas going to happen.

I kiss her, finding her lips – marking them with my own.

Yet, I’m delicate with her – tempering my burning hunger for her with the knowledge that she’s achingly vulnerable right now.

Finally, I place her down on the floor again, and Natali stands there, breathless.

Brennan kisses her next, and then Lazar – each of them tasting her like they’d thought they never would again. She’s smiling, her eyes wet – and when they’re done, she waves that cursed Orb-Ring in front of us and laughs hysterically, like it’s funny how un-funny these circumstances are.

“It’s time delayed,” Natalie explains. “I’m counting down from forty-eight hours, then I can take it off.”

Lieutenant Taggar strides up to us. We all turn to him. He fixes us with a hard stare – but there’s a trace of humanity within it, if you’re looking for it.

I can tell he’s affected by the reunion of a Fated Mate and her triad, even if he tries not to show it. Taggar knows what it means for the Empire and our species. Every Fated Mate is sacred to a true believer.

“That story of yours was hard to believe – until you said those three words in court, Otho.”

The Lieutenant clears his throat.

“I’m still notentirelyconvinced of your innocence, but I’m certain of your honor. Three honorable men, who deserve to be with their Fated Mate.”

I wrap my arm protectively around Natali’s shoulders.

“However,” Taggar warns, “you four had better get off this planet. I don’t trust your father, Natali. He’s in a rage, and he’s got resources. He won’t accept these circumstances.”

The Lieutenant points towards the rear doors of the courtroom.

“Your Reaver is in the bay, through that door. Two of my men are loading it with your weapons and armor as we speak. I suggest you get the hell off this space station – andstayaway.”

Wise words from a just man.

We intend to listen to them.

17

Natali

My father.

---