Page 30 of Sawoots Story

Aelon turns away from her, and I see the sorrow in his eyes as he looks down at the pool of blood where the three headless Aurelians wallow. “Send Kit and his triad out with full honors,” he says grimly, and he clenches his jaw, his eyes full of anger for what he had to do.

Tasha walks past rows of Aurelians towards me. They stare her down, but not a man reaches out to touch her. Aelon made it perfectly clear what happens to men who touch his female prisoners. I grab her hand, giving it a squeeze to reassure her as Aelon as his triad stride out the other doors.

You okay, Tash?

I don’t say it out loud, but I know she feels it, because she gives me a curt nod to tell me she’s doing fine. She cocks her head over at the backs of Aelon’s triad as they leave. “I hate to use you as a negotiating tool, but can you come with me? I’ve got to warn Aelon of the upcoming Toad attack, and he’ll listen to me more if you’re there. He’s ashamed for what happened.”

I bite my lip. “I…I don’t think they care, Tasha. I tried to warn Iunia.”

“I’ll convince him. Come on, I need you.”

I look over at the three lifeless bodies. One of them twitches, his hand clenching shut. It will never touch a woman again. “Make it worth something,” I say, and follow her as she rushes after Aelon.

Garrick and his triad are my constant protectors, silent shadows who follow me, trying to keep me safe.

I can feel the eyes of the Aurelians on me as we rush out of the mess hall. How long are we going to be on this ship? How long until another triad…snaps?

I follow Tasha through the hallways and flickering lights. There’s a whole twenty-foot section without illumination, and I wonder just how old this ship is.

I see the three broad backs of Aelon and his triad. “Wait!” Tasha yells out, and Aelon turns. He’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders. His marble face looks like it aged a century in the last hour.

If a man like Aelon can have friends, he just killed three of them. His battle-brothers flank him with matching grim expressions.

“Yes?” His voice is weary, but still strong.

“I need to speak with you. Alone.”

He looks like he’s about to protest, then his eyes find me. I see the guilt painted on his face. He may be an arrogant, bloodthirsty commander, but he’s got honor.

“Very well.” He cocks his head, and Iunia and Vinicus leave his side. The corridor feels a lot smaller when they walk past me and my triad. Garrick’s muscles flex instinctively as they pass.

I don’t think it’s a conscious decision. He’s protecting me out of some primal impulses…

Primal impulses that will fade to nothing when he realizes I’m not his Mate. I curse Kit. Of all the men who could have been Bonded to me, the Gods gave me animals, disgusting beasts who fell prey to their own urges. Because of him, I can never consider a future with Garrick. I can’t even let it cross my mind.

But that dream…that dream felt so right.

I still remember the heat between my legs when I awoke. It felt so real. I crave him. The utter surrender of being trapped with Garrick, Markrin and Tar’ank after I push them over the edge. To feel them hold me down, so small and helpless against their ferocious urges.

I shudder, and Garrick’s nostrils flare. He looks down at me with surprise, and my cheeks redden when I realize he can smell my need. I’ve never been a prude, but it’s disconcerting knowing a man cansenseyour desire.

Tasha gives me a reassuring touch on the shoulder. Maybe she mistook my expression for fear. She follows Aelon into his chambers, and then it’s just me and the three men who saved me…twice.

Garrick turns to me, looking down. Even on my tippy toes I’m too short to kiss him. “You are still a prisoner. I must escort you to your cell.”

Any need I felt is extinguished as I remember the cell. It’s a place of awful memories and trauma. I have to be strong. I can’t show any weakness. Aurelians already view humans as short-lived, pathetic creatures. I won’t let this triad see me vulnerable.

We walk back together. I don’t bother hiding my knowledge of the ship as I take turns that lead us away from the mess hall and back to the cells. He opens the door, and I step inside, when my stomach roils. I turn to the triad.

“I don’t want to be alone right now,” I say to Garrick and his men.

They exchange looks with each other, hesitating at the doorway, and I wonder if I’m making a mistake. I can see why they don’t step in.

They don’t trust themselves to be alone with me.

I don’t trust myself to be alone. If I’m left with my thoughts, I’m going to break down.

The three hulking warriors step in, and I hop into a top bunk bed, trying not to look at the other one where the sheets are tussled and tangled and drops of red blood stain the white sheets from where Garrick clocked Kit in the jaw.

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