Page 66 of Fire Forged

“Odd, indeed.Great change comes through great discomfort.Come, let us comm yourKunakarand arrange a meeting.A neutral ground will be chosen.”Nerx nodded at Matir, indicating he should join them.

“You do not trust us,” she said as a statement.

Nerx met her gaze.“I do not because I have females on board.Had it been just my males, we would be arrogant enough to dock on your ship.”

“You are mated?”She glanced around the common.“And your males?”

“I am an Eth gifted with a Dar Eth…” His gaze rested on Britta teaching Lily how to twirl the food using a fork and spoon.“Too many of my males have not been as blessed yet.”

“Dar Eth?”Haiz made a clicking sound with her tongue against her teeth.“Our studies revealed as much.”

Matir twisted to look at her.“Tell me, how is it you speak Earth English?”

“With our scans, we found the language to be common across most inhabited worlds in this galaxy.All our warriors were required to learn it during the journey here.”She stepped toward the passage.“Shall we?I am eager to return.As entertaining as this adventure has been, I long for my palette.I could sleep a whole cycle.”She laughed and trailed Matir to the comm room.

“Pilot Edon, comm theKunakar,” Nerx instructed once Matir settled behind him.“Have we chosen the location?”he grumbled.

“Of course.As per your security requirements,” Matir whispered.“When do you want to head down?”

“Within the hour.”Nerx clasped his hands behind his back as the screen flickered.

“Regent Haiz,” Primary Tarni exclaimed.

“Good tidings, Tarni.I’m well.”Haiz touched her brow.

“We have sixty minutes to meet on Luchur, one of six moons orbiting Aberdus,” Matir said.“Should the time elapse, we will return to theSuratawith your warriors.Pilot Edon, convey the rendezvous co-ordinates.”

Edon tapped buttons, his focus acute.“Done, Sub-Commander.”

“Excellent.”Haiz beamed.“Send ayarvato collect us, Primary.”

“As you command, Regent Haiz.”Tarni tapped her temple.The comm ended.

“As easy as hittingznorgsin a basket.”Haiz chuckled.“My thanks again for the assistance.And deepest apologies for your lost male.”

Nerx bowed, not willing to reveal that Ronin lived.Whatever the male was up to, secrecy meant he might stay alive a little longer.

When they returned to the common, Aldur was kneeling, Lily hugging him tight.She jabbered at a steady clip amid Aldur’s laughter.“Gramps, we did… and then Britt helped me… and I have a granny too.I won at marbles… God will give me a brother to play with… Gramps, are you still sore?”

Nerx met Britta’s gaze.She smiled.

He grinned then glanced at Matir.“Sub-Commander, you have the comm.”

“Very well, Supreme Commander.”

Nerx faced the common.“Trav, Eriz, Karg, Sena, and Ziot to me.Arm yourself and thekutafor a trip planetside.We aim to deliver the Viqrians.”

Haiz crossed to her warriors and was welcomed with grins and brow taps.

“And me?”Britta asked, placing her hand on his waist.“I had better be on that shuttle.”

He grinned and laced his fingers through hers.“Of course,ensa.I made a vow.”With a firm tug, he pulled her along.“Lady Dahlia, Medic Aldur, I place Lily in your care.”

“That sounds official,” Lady Dahlia said.“And quit calling me lady, Nerx.You’re my son now.Mom or Dahlia will do.”

Nerx froze, blinked at her while he struggled to understand the explosion of emotions in his heart.“As in Mother?”

She nodded and scooped Lily into her arms for a dance around the table.

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