Page 61 of Fire Forged

“Tagana.”Haiz grimaced.“A lethal weapon.My apologies.I did not factor in their desperation.”She released Trav and inched toward Nerx, the corners of her mouth dipping.“I should have prepared better.I lost a warrior.”

He lowered Britta and nudged her out of the way of his blaster.

“Thank you for taking the initiative.”Haiz glanced at her remaining three females.“I fear the rebels would have killed us by end day.”She swayed on the spot.

Britta lunged across and caught the Viqrian regent before she collapsed.“Wow, she’s…uh, heavy.”

Trav lifted the female into his arms and carried her to medical.Ziot waved his med-gun at Trav, then gestured to the fold-down bed.

“Now what?”Britta asked, sliding her hand in Nerx’s.

He stilled, his nostrils flared, and he glanced at their intwined fingers.“We either dock on their ship, or we hand them over on a nearby moon.”

“Which would you prefer?”she asked.“Can you trust them enough to dock?”

“In a way,” Nerx said, despite having expected an attack from Haiz a moment ago.Where his Dar Eth was concerned, he couldn’t be too cautious.

“I don’t know, Nerx.They, or whoever, held my mother captive.”She swept her gaze across the Viqrians, then inched closer to whisper, “I wouldn’t trust them as far as I can throw them.”Her lips twitched.“And they’re damn heavy.”

“So far, Haiz and her females have not deceived us other than to be vague.”He drew her against him again.“I will be cautious though, taking with as many males as I can.”

Britta exhaled.“I suppose you’re going down.If it’s the moon, I want to come with.”She peered up him, a hopeful smile urging him to agree to anything she asked for.

“Absolutely not,” he said.

“I don’t accept your no,” Britta said, facing him with her free hand on her hip.

“Iwill notplace you in danger.”

“Blah, blah,” she snapped.“I’ve never been on any planet other than Earth.And if I get a chance to stand on some extraterrestrial soil, I’m going to take it.”

“Britta,” he growled, done speaking about this.“No.”

She released his hand and shoved her face at his.“What?No?Like you and a few secret spies can’t protect little me?And from what, exactly?A wild animal with a love for Britt-blood?Maybe a handsome prince desperate to find his forever-princess?Or… Wait for it, a bunch of nothing out there except dust and wind?”

Hecouldensure they landed in the open.That way he’d see danger approaching, and Ziotcouldmonitor the air above them.That he was softening to the idea wasn’t something he’d reveal to Britta.He liked this side of her: all fire, passion, determination, courage, and so damn lovable.

“And I could carry a blaster.It’s not as if I haven’t used it before.”She ran a finger down his chest.“You can kit me in one of these too.”She tapped his armor, then rose onto her toes to place a kiss on the underside of his jaw.“I can be very…appreciative.”She licked her lips while hovering her touch an inch from his straining arousal.

“No…” He hesitated.“If you could give me a sample of your appreciation, I might think about allowing you to come with.”

Her eyes widened, a peach hue stained her cheeks, then she cleared her throat.“Now?”she rasped, glancing around her.

He laughed, cupping her elbows to draw her closer.“Ensa, you cannot use our mating to bargain with.”

She pouted, her adorable lips tempting him more than curiosity did.What would she have done?Images from the human mating vids hinted at many possibilities.

“I’ve nothing to barter with.”She lowered her gaze.

Her words hit him hard.Nothing to barter…Maker.She’d saved him and Lily.For that alone, he’d spend his life making sure Britta never doubted her worth.

“Why are they staring?Is it your hair again?”She pulled out of his arms to glare at his males.

A few smothered smiles, their mouths twitched from the effort.Others averted their gazes.

He listened in to a few grumbles, too low for her ears.“My hair is shorter than honor-requires, yes, but I used to be grumpy,” he said, amazed at how he’d abandoned a habit he’d worked hard to form.Guarding the void had been his core focus after Kyerx died and triggered a sharp expansion.

“You, grumpy?No, never.”She chuckled.“You’re the picture of sunshine and daisies.”

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