Page 71 of Fire Forged

“I am listening.”Haiz angled her chin but didn’t glance at him.

“Release them to our care, and take me in their stead.”

“No,” Nerx growled.“Xeus will shave my head—”

Citus held up a hand, silencing the outcry.“As her Eth, I go where she goes.You know this.”

“My what?”Haiz faced him.

“I will explain later,” Citus said, sheathing his bloodied sword.

She opened her mouth then shut it before spinning on a heel and striding toward Nerx.“Have your pilot comm Tarni and tell her I have my ownyarva.”

“Do it, Ziot,” Nerx said, as if the man could hear him from within the shuttle.

Ziot, still at the console, called Tarni, relaying the message.“It is done.”

Britt peered into his ears, trying to figure out how they spoke to themselves yet heard each other.

“We will deal with theBronvol, or do you want those females too?”Haiz smirked.“Are you worth that many?”

“We can send them to Fuyra, a mining moon orbiting Etteria,” Nerx said, then glanced at Haiz.“Where we put dishonorables to work.”

“The operatives you have on board must question each female.Test their participation.Some may have been forced.Those who test poorly will serve in your mines.”Citus gazed at Haiz, his fascination revealed by the smile teasing his lips.

What mines?Britt opened her mouth to ask then swallowed the question.Now wasn’t the time.

“If Fuyra is secure, then I will accept on behalf of my empress.”Haiz touched her temple.“I am certain she will agree it is a fine solution.”

In bloodstained uniforms yet healed, the Viqrians marched in single file onto the Viqrian shuttle.Citus joined Haiz, his focus on her when the door shut.When they launched, the five women still kneeling watched but didn’t move.They ogled the men around them, some leaning in to whisper to each other.

“Trav, Eriz, Karg, take these females to theSasay.Question them then release them to theKushinwith instruction—Fuyra or Etteria.”Nerx scowled, his arms folded across his chest, as he waited, watched, not even flinching when all except their shuttle left.

When only his men remained, he relaxed.“You did well, and my report to our king will reflect my high praise.”He clasped his braid.“Thank you for your gesture.”He tapped the clip.“Retrieve yours; you will need it.”

Then he headed to Britt, who squeaked and ducked back inside, lest he yelled at her again.That still grated, and she’d give him a piece of her mind first chance she got.

He unlocked the chain from her belt.“Come,thamani.Walk with me.”

Blinking at his offered hand, she hesitated, then accepted, letting him usher her onto the grass.Her boots squelched, and the spongy ground added an extra bounce to her steps, as if she walked on a mattress.She shivered but didn’t say anything, not when she’d fought hard to come with.The next planet might be nicer, but she wouldn’t get to find out if she whined now.

“Did it go like you hoped?”she asked, stepping over what looked like a dead trunk.Odd that when there were no trees nearby.

“No, but I know better than to expect anything to go as I envisioned.”He halted on the edge of the clearing, peering into the forest.

She would’ve guessed pine trees for they looked similar.They smelled like vanilla though.Not saying anything, she took deep breaths, savoring the sweetness of the air.She closed her eyes and tilted her face to the sun.Sunlight, fresh air, greenery were things she hadn’t thought she’d miss.Silence reigned, the ‘insects’ no longer tweeting.She suspected the recent battle had a hand in that.

“I am sorry you had to witness—”

“I don’t faint at the sight of blood, Nerx.Now, if you’re going to crap me out, you better rethink it.”She peeked at him.“I didn’t realize I’d stepped onto the ramp.”She raised her hand as Citus had done.“I was outside the shuttle but not off it.”

“You endangered yourself,” he said, his voice low but without anger.

She grimaced, liking his calmness less than the yelling.

“Not willfully.”She faced him.“I spent most of the time peeking through that door.And hiding isn’t in my nature, Nerx.So either give me some slack or teach me to defend myself.”

“This is true,” he said, cupping her face.“My prince handing himself over did not evoke as much emotion as seeing you standing in the line of fire.I never want to experience that again,thamani.”

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