Page 27 of Sawoots Story

The doors open, and Captain Aelon enters with his triad. Garrick, Markrin and Tar’ank step aside and I see Tasha running forward. She’s all askew, flustered with her hair mussed, but she looks unharmed. I look for any sign that Captain Aelon did anything to her. She opens her arms wide and almost knocks me over as she gives me a massive hug.

We hold each other for a second, then break off the embrace, each of us surveying the other for any sign of injury.

“Are you okay? What happened?”

“Those…thoseanimals,” I shudder. “Iunia escorted me back to the cells. I guess the three who attacked me had the keys, though. They waited for him to leave, and then came in quietly—grabbing me by the mouth before I could scream for help.”

How did Garrick know to come? Was he watching my cell?

I gulp. My throat feels dry. “If it wasn’t forthistriad,” I say, pointing to the three men I trust on board over even the mining crew of theWayward Scythe, “who rushed in, called for reinforcements, and then beat down my attackers…” I shiver. “I don’t evenwantto think what might have happened.”

Garrick, Tar’ank and Markrin stand with their heads high, staring down any Aurelian who comes near. I know what will happen if one dares.

“Aelon willpayfor letting this happen,” Tasha snarls. My captain is like an avenging angel. I know she’ll take my near rape personally. As captain, she views herself as fully responsible for her crew. There was nothing she could do.

If she was any other captain? We’d already be dead in Wild Space, our corpses turned to dust. No one else could have pulled off that slingshot maneuver to dodge the certain death of the missiles.

“I’m okay, I’m okay,” I say, trying to assuage her guilt.

All eyes turn to the stage, where Captain Aelon steps towards the three handcuffed men. Let them go!” He barks out the words, and the Aurelians holding them down back away.

The three monsters stare up at Aelon without remorse. Captain Aelon is flanked by his triad, two silent gargoyles ready to fight at his command. Iunia and Vinicus could be twins, and both have the same expression on their set faces—emotionless and cold.

Aelon stares down at Kit, and I can see the respect in his eyes. It makes my stomach churn. How can he be looking at these monsters with anything but disgust?

“Let me stand and face you like a man,” Kit growls.

Captain Aelon’s muscles flex as he grabs Kit by the shoulders and pulls him up. It’s almost like an embrace. “Why!” He booms out the single word, full of pain. He doesn’t want to mete out justice to these three men.

Kit holds his head high. He feels no guilt. “I did it because she’sours,” Kit growls. “I smelled it on her when she was walking out of the mess hall. She smellsright, Captain Aelon. She’s our Fated Mate—I know it in my soul.”

Garrick’s shoulders rise. His trap muscles flex under his light-combat armor.

“So, you tried to take her by force?”

“Yes,” Kit answers without hesitation. He takes a huge breath in, savoring the air. “We left the Empire for a reason, Captain Aelon. Fuck their oppressive laws that restrain us! We’remen. We’reAurelians! We take what is ours—and she belongs tous!”

There’s a rumble in the masses of Aurelians watching that sounds suspiciously like agreement.

Just how long have the aliens been out here, in the dark of space, far from the laws and morality of their Empire?

How many of his crew whisper about going Rogue? How many believe the Priests prophecies of a return to the Old Ways?

Aurelians shift. Triads glare and stare down the dissenters, forcing their tongues to quiet. I calculate a quick estimate as best as I can. It’s fast math, but if I had to guess…

Around a third of the Aurelians are brave enough to rumble their agreement with Kit. Others might hold silent…for now.

If they draw Orb-Blades, it’s going to get bloody, and fast.

Aelon stares him down. “We donotrape.”

Kit snorts. “You stay that with your cock still at half-mast,Captain. You’re the one who forbade women on this ship—yet you takeyourwoman back to your chambers the moment she’s got all squirmy and wet in front of us all. You’ll take her all for yourself, but don’t let us taste the other one?” Kit scoffs at him, derision in his voice. “You’re a hypocrite, Captain! That human wench has made you soft!”

There’s grumbles from the Aurelians. Every man in this room saw Aelon’s cock surge from disciplining Tasha. They all saw her naked, wet pussy, and they all imagined being the triad to claim her.

The species has their own set of values. Fairness. Quick, equal judgment. All Aurelians are equal in front of the laws, from unblooded fighters before their hundred years of service to the Elites in their Orb-Armor. Having one set of rules for his soldiers and another for himself will cause a rift that could split his crew in half…

And I’ll be the one to bear the brunt.

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