Page 53 of Fire Forged

Britta’s heart twanged like it had been doing way too often lately.Leaving Mom alone went against every ounce of her being.What had she expected?To marry a man and move in with Mom?No, she’d hoped Mom rediscovering herself happened before a Mr.-Right-For-Britta came into the picture.Though, finding Mr.Soulmates for them both and at the same time was a godsend.

When Mom was back on board this ship, Britt planned to have a heart-to-heart with her—a mother (Britt) to daughter (Mom) chat.And it was time to put her reckless side to bed.Her overreactions and gung-ho attitude had been a futile attempt to hold onto her inner child.Dad was gone, Mom was finding her mojo, which meant Britt could calm down, especially when her actions taught her newdaughterhow to act.

She grinned.But her sass she was keeping.Nerx loved it, if she judged his laughter well.And anything that summoned that man’s dimple was enough of an incentive for her.Humming, she let sleep claim her with a hope-filled future filling her dreams for the first time in a long while.

Anhourlater,Nerxwas back in the common to speak to Matir.The male lay in the med-E.D.with his gaze focused.Already his bruises had faded even though he favored one side of his torso.

“Supreme Commander.”He settled on Nerx’s hair and winced.Only then did Nerx notice the short braid resting on Matir’s shoulder.

“You too?”He lifted the ends then let it fall.

“Indeed.They find our long hair amusing.”Matir closed his eyes, pain contorting his features.“They believe cutting it off weakens us...physically.”

Nerx blinked, then chuckled.“That is preposterous.”

Matir cracked a smile.“I know.”

“Perhaps it is the way we react when our honor is threatened?”Sena said while tapping the med-E.D.’s console.

“What I gathered between beatings is that they’re a rogue faction of female warriors, tired of their old ways of servitude or death.”Matir frowned.“They spoke of ordering daughters from laboratories.”

Nerx stepped back to lean against the bulkhead.“Do you mean they genetically modify their offspring?”He shook his head.“We attempted it once.I do believe thosedamuwere too weak to live past the first month.”

“I only saw females.And the one who beat me could’ve rivaled Garix in height and bulk.”

Nerx gaped.“That is impossible.Garix is a rarity among us.”

“Perhaps she is the same for Viqrians.Regardless, her punch carries much weight and power.”Matir rubbed his mottled jaw.

“What questions did they ask?”

“The number of operational battleships.If it was true how many unmated males we have.Whether we have a patriarchal society.How much galaxy-wide authority did we have?Where could they find the most males?I thought, at first, they meant to conquer us.Or attempt to.But as the questions turned intimate, I figured out they mean to steal males.”

“Steal?”Nerx snapped.“Is that why they kidnapped Aldur and yourself?”

“For compatibility tests and information.They are wary of harming Lady Dahlia.Not only is she a female, but she has ancient knowledge on child bearing.”Matir held up a hand.“I vow, Supreme Commander, that was their words.”

“And they know that how?Surely not before they took you three.”

“She tried to plead with them, revealing her mission to Etteria.”Matir offered a tight smile.“She fought like a sogair when they took her from Aldur’s side.”

“It is good news that they do not wish to kill her.Perhaps we should rescue Aldur…” Nerx settled his gaze on Matir.“I can confirm theBronvoland its crewhavegone rogue.Three Viqrian battleships surround it.I spoke with a Regent Haiz and negotiated a swap—two of her females for Aldur and Lady Dahlia.”

Matir stilled.“They mean to breach their own battleship?”

“Seems like it.She was most apologetic and pretended fury when I mentioned how they’d mistreated you.If they take theBronvoland leave our galaxy, I will not pursue her, as long as she is an honorable female.I want done with this.”

“I agree.Better I not remember what I have endured.I did wonder though, with their copper skin tones and black hair, whether they were descendants of Etteria.”

“And how would that have come about?”Nerx arched a brow at that nonsensical idea.“We do not have enough females to crew a battleship, never mind any Etterian male sending them into space without protection.”

“Unless it was before the Durn’s genetic modifications.Perhaps a few females commandeered a shuttle, tired of their males constantly at war?”Sena nodded.“My elder mother once mentioned leaving my elder father if he continued to argue with her.”He smiled as if cherishing the memory.

“It is possible,” Matir said, then lay back with a grateful sigh.“I suggest we test them, just to be sure.”

Nerx glanced at Sena as Matir drifted off.“Take blood samples from the corpses while they’re fresh.Have the system analyze it, then send the results to the medical council.”

“It will be done, Supreme Commander.”Sena took an injection gun from a drawer and headed for the shuttle bay.

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