Page 73 of Ren: Warlord Brides
“I understand now that Kaos lied to you about the death of your mate,” Ren said. “The clan, however, saw that the warlord would not tolerate a weak female, not even the mate of his spoiled son.”
“Vanessa was not weak.”
Ren held up a hand in surrender. “Please. I know this now, but at the time I loathed you. I hated that I had to choose between my Emmarae or my clan.”
“You chose poorly.”
“Yes.” At the time, it seemed as if he had no choice. She could not stay. He could not go. “I was wrong, and I was angry at you.”
“Are you still?”
“You have your moments. Mostly your head is full of sand, so I forgive you.”
Havik huffed with amusement, breaking the tension.
“You did not laugh. Before,” Ren added.
“I had no reason.”
“Your mate is good for you.”
“Fortunately, she does not mind that my head is full of sand.”
“Ah, that one is a viper. I like her very much.”
“You have a bad habit of keeping secrets, Ivon Ren.”
He could not deny it.
“What other surprises do you have for me?”
“I believe the Council is already investigating Pashaal. When my mate hijacked our ship, the Council’s agent retrieved my emergency pod. I was told to stop interfering or he would have my tail.”
Havik rubbed his chain. “Those words? Exactly?”
“More or less.”
“Did she truly hijack our ship?”
“She used a plasma flare gun.”
A belly-busting laugh boomed out of Havik.
“It is not amusing,” Ren said.
“It is very amusing.”
“She was very reckless. I complied so that she would avoid injuring herself.”
Havik continued to laugh.
“You’re a selfish brat,” Ren muttered with affection. Old hurts might continue to linger between them, but the sting had been removed from the guilt and resentment Ren felt. They had both suffered at the hands of the warlord. Havik had a second chance to do right with a new mate. Ren had a second chance to make amends with his mate.
He would not fail Emmarae. Not again.
“If you two are done being dramatic, I found something,” Zalis called from the front.
Emry
