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Zahn smiled at her. “Then I allowed myself to watch you, learn about you. And I fought harder. And with every step away from you, I wanted you more. You are strong, Au'revele. You arekind and humble and beautiful,” he said, lifting his hand to stroke her cheek for one brief second. “You are mine.”

“I’ll consider your claim while you continue to heal. For now, I’ll go get the physicians. They will want to know you are awake. They’ll need to examine you thoroughly.”

“Consider all you wish, you’re mine.”

Au'revele leaned over him and quickly pecked a kiss to his lips. “Perhaps.” She moved away from his bed, pausing when he refused to release his hold on her wrist until he finally let go. She walked to the door, but just as she stepped through it, Zahn spoke.

“Ehlealah?”

She looked back at him.

“Are you coming back with the physicians?”

“I am. But I’ve promised to let Vor know when you wake. I’ll let Rel know — he’s standing guard outside medical with Yaghn — so he can get a message to Vor. Your friends have been as worried as I’ve been.”

“Don’t be away too long. I don’t think they’d allow me to go look for you without a fight. I’m not ready for another fight quite yet.”

Au'revele smiled at him. “I won’t be long.”

Chapter 26

The heavy stink of sweaty males and apprehension flavored the air in the large, darkened training room. The windows and doors were all sealed, and guards from Command Warship 1 stood at each possible exit, both inside and out. The occasional clink of metal tickled the senses when one of the prisoners lost control of his will to stand motionless before those questioning him. Except for the sounds and scents that were almost overpowering, the room was surprisingly silent considering the number of males being held there, waiting their turn for the focus to shine on them and their actions.

Zha Quin stood bare-chested, wearing only his trousers and boots as he oversaw the interrogations personally. He was sweaty from his own interactions with the accused traitors, insisting that they be given a chance to defend themselves from any accusations tossed their way from their fellow warriors, or from their inquisitors. His focus was on Jhan, sweating and streaked with blood from the battle he’d engaged in with the male he was questioning.

Jhan cracked the whip he held in his hand once more, the sound cutting through the heavy air in the room like a laser. One could almost feel the flesh of everyone in the room except Quin, tense at the anticipated sting of the metal tipped leather strips. But the whip did not make contact with anyone’s flesh. Instead after snapping itself to its full length, it fell to dangle at the end of the tightly woven handle harmlessly until Jhan lifted it into the air again. “I will not repeat myself! You will answer, or the next male will.”

The male, bruised and bleeding, snarled as he glared at Jhan.

Jhan unlike many others with his particular skill set, did not keep suspects, or even prisoners, bound, cuffed or chained whilethey were being questioned. He allowed them free roam. If they attacked him, he fought them. If they ran, he chased them. There was no honor in attacking a male who couldn’t fight back. And if a male pushed the interrogation to the point at which it was clear he should be killed, then they’d die with honor as they fought Jhan or whomever Jhan gave that responsibility to.

“I did only what is necessary to save our people from those who would have us become weak! The Cruestaci are warriors! We do not comply with the rules and regulations of other worlds! You live in our world, by our rules, or you die.”

“So, you’re only defending the ways of our people. You think yourself a brave male. A fearless male who fights for all he feels is right,” Jhan said. “You only fight with honor.”

“Exactly!” the male shouted, spittle flying from his mouth as Jhan circled him, and he circled Jhan.

“Then explain to me how a brave male who only fights with honor, thinks it is honorable to attack a defenseless newborn youngling.”

“I did no such thing!”

“Oh, but you did. Had it not been for the bravery of a female, his nanny, who fought to protect him, he may have left this world.”

The male shook his head vehemently. “I did not, nor would I attack any youngling!”

“Someone did.” Jhan lifted the whip and gripping it by its handle, he slowly moved it in an arc indicating all the males silently watching the interrogation. “Someone out there did.”

The male stopped circling Jhan and stood straight, chest out proudly. “I did not.”

“Then how is it that you come to be part of an organized military action to protect them?” Jhan asked, thrusting his arm out to point at the four individuals who were cowering nearby. “They attacked the newborn then ran and hid like the cowards they are.”

“I… that wasn’t my order!”

“What was your order?” Jhan asked, his patience growing thin.

“To take my warriors and protect a stronghold where those loyal to the old ways would be taking shelter.”

“Protect them from whom?” Jhan asked.

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