Page 69 of Fire Forged

The Viqrians shuffled with Haiz stepping between her women and Nerx, using her body as a shield.That alone told Britt what kind of leader the Viqrian was.Nerx had been right.She’d been honorable in her attempts to prevent a war.

This incident was about to be done and dusted.Britt could forgive and forget, especially if it garnered peace.

One man, massive across the shoulders, held himself with such authority as he strode across the circle.He gripped Nerx’s arm, a grin splitting his cheeks.

When he mumbled something, she angled her head to hear better.

Nerx laughed.“Prince Citus, this is a surprise.”

“Youare surprised when Xeus tells me you found a new species?”Citus peered into his eyes and beamed.“Congrats on finding your Dar Eth.”

Nerx glanced at shuttle, forcing her to duck back.“My thanks.”

Citus caught Nerx’s braid and ran his thumb across it.“It looks good on you.”

Nerx stiffened.“Dishonor?”

“Freedom, my battle-bond.Not a single Etterian warrior would believe you lack honor.”Citus withdrew a dagger and sliced his own braid in half.As his hair unraveled, he held up his braid, then tossed it at Nerx’s feet.

The men sucked in sharp breaths, then, one by one, did the same.

In horror, Nerx threw out his hands to stop them.“No!”

They ignored him.

Something tickled Britt’s cheek.She flicked at it, then blinked at the moisture on her fingertips.She sniffed, trying to stem the tears.

Ziot raced past her to toss his braid on the pile.“Take my honor, Supreme Commander.”

“And mine,” Sena said, throwing in his hair.

“Enough,” Nerx roared.

“This change has been coming for a while.Time to forge a new tradition,” Citus said, smiling at the men.“Now, introduce me to these Viqrians.”

Nerx hesitated, then stepped aside.“Regent Haiz, commander of the battleshipKunakar.”

“On behalf of Etteria, as ambassador and prince, I welcome you.”Citus focused on her then froze.Pain twisted his features.He swayed, then crumpled to a knee.A shudder swept through him.

Nerx gaped, then lunged between a man and the prince.“Do not touch him.”He glanced at Haiz, his eyes widening.

Britt rose on her toes, trying to see what was going on.

A frowning Haiz clasped Citus by the arms, as if she could lift him to his feet.When he groaned, she released him.But he caught her hands and tugged her down.At her gasp, her women charged to her side, no doubt ready to defend her.

She held up her hand.“He is not harming me.”

“I would never,” Citus croaked, opening his eyes, now an all-too-familiar neon blue.

“Oh, shit,” Britt whispered.Haiz’s frown didn’t say much.Without knowing anything about their culture, Britt had to assume the regent didn’t know about the Ethera.

Britt whipped her gaze back to Nerx.Wait.Was this how Nerx’s eyes changed color?When?Why hadn’t she seen it happen?

A shadow fell across them.She inched deeper into the shuttle, shielding her eyes from the sun’s glare even as a dark blue ship landed on the outside of the circle and opposite to the Etterian shuttles.Viqrian, she supposed, since it matched the color of their battleships.The door opened to green light and women filing out.

One look at the woman striding ahead of her unit stiffened Britt’s shoulders.Ziot stood before her, having not returned to the pilot seat.She bolted toward him, snapping the chain taut.With a growl, she stretched out her hand and grabbed his shoulder, tugging him backward.Glancing at her face, he complied, withdrawing his blaster within the shadows of the shuttle’s compartment.

“It’s the woman who stole my mom,” she whispered.

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