Page 46 of Fire Forged

“My point is, Supreme Commander, we know what being a warrior entails.So too did these females.They came armed; one wounded Aldur.”Sena offered Nerx the dagger.“It was them or us, and with Dar Eths on board, you made the right choice.”

Nerx released a shuddering breath.He prayed his king and Adviser Kanzo thought so too.“My thanks, Sena,” he said, accepted the dagger then pointed to the bodies.“Bag the dead…for research.”

“Supreme Commander,” Sena called, halting Nerx’s exit.“Would you like to…keep this?”

The way the long braid dangled over the male’s palm made Nerx wince.His heart ached at the loss.He’d worked so hard on his honor, especially after Kyerx died.And yet, in one act, he’d lost years of growth.He took the braid, ran his hand along its thickness before catching the ends to remove the Maloidian clip.He half-expected it to unravel, to swirl around him, instead, it lay there as lifeless as human hair.With determined strides, he crossed to the waste disposal and tossed it in.He slid the clip next to three data cubes on a shelf.

“Their game is strategic,” Sena said.“They knew how to weaken an Etterian.This does not bode well when we know nothing about them.”He glanced in the direction of the barracks.“Thanks to Lady Britta, we have the means to find out.”

Questions burned Nerx’s tongue.‘Where were their males’ being the most important.Regent and primary were androgynous titles.Did they intentionally hide their femininity from him?Or was it a non-issue for them?Despite needing answers, he couldn’t risk setting off a death trigger.He didn’t know their level of technology or whether they used such organic devices planted in the victim’s brains.Speaking the keyword could kill a female, and they had to live.

“Do not interrogate the Viqrians without back up.”Nerx scowled.“It might be best to wait for an operative.Once we reach Operations Commander Malo, I suspect he would want his males to interview them.”

Sena pursed his lips.“Very well, Supreme Commander.Let us pray time is on our side.”

Chapter Thirteen

Brittawoketothesensation of floating.She’d read a book to Lily who drifted off to sleep with the ease of a carefree child.After this day, Britt longed to be as unburdened.She’d showered, donned a baggy T-shirt she’d ordered from the replicator, then climbed into bed beside Lily.Self-recriminations, solutions, and what-ifs circled her mind.She blinked her eyes open, trying to stay awake.Nerx could come by at any moment to say he’d found her mom.

But now, he carried her out of Lily’s room and into his.

“Nerx,” she whispered, cuddling into his warmth.“Any news?”

In the minimal lighting, his expression didn’t soften.“The comms are not reliable.We managed to transmit some data, but cannot get a response.Aldur and Matir’s O.D.I.s are active which is hopeful.”

“O.D.I.?”Using his shoulders as leverage, she pulled herself up to meet his gaze.

He settled her on his bed.“Let me cleanse, then I will answer all of your questions.”

She slumped.How long would that take?But having showered herself, she’d let him do the same.The hot water and a good cry had gone a long way to calming her.Not to mention giving her perspective.She scrambled to the replicator for a blanket.Then around him she darted to sprawl on his bed.

He watched her, his eyes narrowed, his focus sharp.Without a word, he disappeared into his bathroom.She lay back, snuggling deeper under the blanket while musing over what he’d revealed so far.Ifthe data reached his king, the armada would be en route.If it didn’t, they were still weaving around rocks, hoping the battleship didn’t shoot them or worse, vanish.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat then sucked in shuddering breaths, willing the tears pressing behind her eyes to stay away.Mom would be fine.She’d have an adventurous story to tell, one they could all laugh about.For now, Britt only had to live through this agonizing uncertainty.

The blower came on, announcing Nerx would join her soon.He appeared all too soon, wearing one of those bathrobes.Shit.She pinched her lips together so she wouldn’t gawk.The deep ‘V’ of the neckline showed way too much of his sculpted chest.And with his hair undulating around him, his electric blue gaze on her, the blanket became a little too warm.He settled on the far end of his bed, his leg half-extended.The robe parted from shin to mid-thigh, highlighting muscles she wished she knew the names of.

Mom would know.

“The two females you stunned are—”

“Females?”Britt dragged her gaze off his fine physique.

“Yes, they are female, these Viqrians.”

“Is that what they call themselves?But didn’t the purple dude have no hair?”She waved a dismissive hand.Women could have any hair style they wanted.“Never mind that, do you know what they wanted?”

“Primary Shioll…” His lips twitched into a smirk.“The purple ‘dude’…wanted Etteria…as in the planet.Failing that, to meet King Xeus, no doubt to kill him and assume his position.”

“Shit.”Britt fixed her gaze on Nerx’s eyes and no lower.Well, she tried to.Damn, did he look lickable.“Just up and ask for a planet?That takes balls.”

He chuckled.“I suppose so.What is curious is that they have yet to send fighter craft after us or to fire a cannon.Nor have they commed us again.If they did not have my males and your mother, I would have headed to Etteria posthaste.”

“So we’re like an unruly child waiting to see what our punishment will be?”She sat up, letting the blanket pool in her lap and the chilly interior of his room cool her.“So, what’s an O.D.I.?”

He touched his wrist, summoning holographics.“An implant powered by your body’s internal energy and with a path to your brain.It is how I know Earth English.”He dipped his chin to his chest.“It is protocol for all women to receive one.And you would have, either today or tomorrow.I just never expected this mission to go to hell so quickly.”

She patted his shin, the closest part of his body to her.It was rock-solid.“Why would an O.D.I.make a difference?”

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