Page 85 of The Warrior's Oath
“It will take only a short time to have your suite ready,” Minnix informed the new couple as they were led from the reception area. “The magistrate also requested that I ensure you are both seen to by the medical staff. Your injuries will be tended, and your bodies primed with a nutrient supplement to speed your recovery and aid in your, um, well, whatever other activities you may have in mind.”
Nyota was well past blushing at this point. She wanted Korvin, and she wanted him now. But she could wait a half hour if she had to. And with her aching body, she had to admit it would be nice to finally have him when feeling her best.
“Works for me,” she said.
“Excellent. Nyota, if you will please come with me. Auskus here will show your mate the way to his examination. You should both be done in no time.”
A blue creature with velvety fur covering its skin stepped forward from its post along the wall. It had a long body, almost like a ferret, but it walked tall on two legs and had longer arms and legs than any in the weasel family. Additionally, it seemed to possess a more developed musculature along its torso. As for its gender, that was anyone’s guess.
“Please, follow me,” Auskus said to the Nimenni in a sing-song voice.
Nyota raised an amused brow at Korvin who couldn’t help but chuckle. “Very well, my little friend,” he replied. “Lead the way.”
“Just up ahead. Only a short walk to the medical compound. Very good facility. Top-notch care.”
“It is appreciated.” He turned to Nyota. “I will see you shortly.”
“Oh yes,” she said, her desire clear in her eyes. “Oh yes, you will.”
Korvin felt a twinge as he and his love parted, but it was tempered by the knowledge of what was to come. Namely, both of them, and many times at that. It was indeed a short walk, as Auskus had said, and he was just reclining back into the medical attendant’s examination chair when he felt a violent tug in his Infala. A moment later an alarm sounded in the complex.
Shirtless and barefoot, Korvin leapt out of the chair and raced outside, his heart pounding. The surge of adrenaline he was feeling, he realized, was not his own. A throng of armed guards were huddled near the adjacent building. Minnix lay on the ground, bleeding but alive.
“Where is she? Where is Nyota?” he demanded, ignoring the aide’s injuries.
“Calm down, sir,” a guard foolishly said.
Korvin spun on him, rage in his eyes, his runes starting to glow in a frighteningly menacing way. “Calm down?” he seethed. “Where is my mate?”
“It was Dohrags,” Minnix said, coughing up a mixture of spittle and blood. “There were five of them, disguised and waiting.”
“They do not enter the city. It is simply not done,” a guard blurted.
“Normally, no. But they wanted revenge for their fallen friends. One was their leader’s son, from what I overheard. They wanted any of the people responsible.” Minnix coughed up more blood. “They took her. I tried to stop them, but I was too weak.”
“You are not a fighter, Minnix,” the guard said. “You did what you could. Now lie still, medical help is coming.”
Halvax came running from the building he and the others had been given lodging in. He didn’t know what the problem was, but like Korvin, running toward danger rather than away from it was in his blood. He raced to his distressed friend, eyeing the faintly glowing runes with concern.
“What happened, Korvin?”
“They took her. Dohrags took Nyota,” he growled, his rage barely contained.
“Oh, shit.” Halvax said, then spun toward the guards. “Where did they go?”
“We’re sending—”
He grabbed the guard and nearly yanked him off his feet. “This man is one of the Bohdzee Guard, and they have just taken his mate.Beforethey could complete their Infala bonding. Do any of you realize just what that means?”
None could say for certain in the case of a Bohdzee, but it was undoubtedly a very,verybad thing. To have someone of his skills and power angry was one thing, but all bets were off when Infala bonding was concerned. Even the most placid sort could get violent if prevented from completing the process. And this one? The very thought sent a chill through them all.
“That way,” the guard said. “Five at least, but they likely have backup.”
Korvin nearly ripped the poor fellow’s hand off when he snatched the rifle from him and took off running, moving at a full sprint, barefoot and not giving a damn.
“May I?” Halvax asked, quickly relieving another guard of their weapon. “Thank you.” He turned to follow his friend.
“We’ll send backup!” the guard called after him.
