Chapter 21 #2
"He's been dealt with," Ako said quietly. "Quietly. He's been sent to a remote estate on the edge of Romvesian space under constant surveillance and will remain there for the foreseeable future."
"That's not enough," I said before I could stop myself.
Ako's gaze met mine. "No. It's not. But it's what politics allows. His family is powerful. We can't move against him openly without causing an incident that could destabilize the entire sector."
"So he gets away with it."
"He gets contained. Neutralized. It's not justice, but it's what we have." Ako's expression was grim. "Welcome to Alliance politics, Merrilee. Sometimes the best we can do is make sure the monsters can't hurt anyone else."
"So if it's not the prince," Ahrick said, "then who is Persico warning us about?"
"We don't know." Ako's frustration was evident.
"We've analyzed every piece of intelligence Persico sent over the past decade.
Cross-referenced it with current threat assessments.
There are always dangers—pirate cartels, rogue factions, political extremists.
But nothing that rises to the level of what Persico was suggesting. "
"Maybe he was wrong," I said.
"Persico doesn't make mistakes like that." Ahrick's voice was certain. "He's been embedded on Palaydium for decades. If he says there's a threat, there's a threat."
"I agree," Ako said. "Which is why we're maintaining heightened alert status across all Alliance territories. Increasing intelligence gathering. Watching for any signs of coordinated activity."
"And if you find something?"
"Then we'll deal with it." Ako's expression hardened. "The Alliance has survived worse. We'll survive this too."
The confidence in his voice was reassuring.
But I felt Ahrick's doubt through the bond. His warrior's instinct that said the real danger was still out there, waiting.
Ako seemed to sense the shift in mood. He straightened, and his expression lightened slightly.
"But that's a problem for another day. Right now, I have a different matter to discuss." He looked at Ahrick. "What are your plans, Ahrick? Now that you're free of Palaydium?"
Ahrick was quiet for a moment. I felt his uncertainty through the bond—the strange feeling of having options after ten years of having none.
"I don't have plans," he said finally. "Thought Merrilee and I might visit Vaktaire. My sister is still there. I'd like to see her. Introduce her to my mate."
The word mate sent a warm flutter through my chest.
"That's a good start," Ako said. "But what about after that? You're still young by Vaktaire standards. You have decades ahead of you. What do you want to do with them?"
"I don't know." Ahrick's hand tightened on mine. "I've spent so long just trying to survive, I haven't thought about what comes next."
"Then let me offer you a suggestion." Ako leaned forward, his blue eyes intent. "The Alliance needs warriors. Not just soldiers—we have plenty of those. We need warriors who understand strategy, discipline, honor. Warriors who can train the next generation."
I felt Ahrick's surprise.
"You want me to train recruits?"
"I want you to be Master of Arms for the Alliance.
" Ako's voice was serious. Formal. "It's a position of great prestige and responsibility.
You would oversee training across all Alliance military academies.
Develop curriculum. Mentor the most promising warriors. Shape the future of Alliance defense."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Master of Arms.
I didn't know much about Alliance military structure, but even I understood what that meant. It was a position of immense respect. Power. Influence.
And they were offering it to Ahrick.
"I'm an ex-prisoner," Ahrick said quietly.
"You were convicted of crimes you were not responsible for," Ako countered.
"And you've more than paid for the mistakes you did make.
The Prime recognizes that. More importantly, we recognize what you are—one of the greatest warriors of your generation.
Your combat record before the incident was exemplary. Your skills are legendary."
"That was a long time ago."
"You just survived ten years on Palaydium.
You killed six Trogvyk mercenaries while wounded.
You led a successful mission to eliminate a high-value target, and I'm not even going to mention what you did in the fighting pits to protect Merrilee.
" Ako's smile was slight. "I'd say your skills are still sharp. "
Ahrick didn't respond. I felt his conflict—the part of him that wanted to say yes warring with the part that still believed he didn't deserve it.
Ako seemed to sense it too.
"Think about it," he said. "You don't have to decide now. Visit your sister. Take some time. But know that the offer is genuine. The Alliance wants you, Ahrick. We need you."
Ahrick looked at me. "What do you think?"
I didn't hesitate.
"I think," I said, speaking to both of them, "that Ahrick would be an incredible Master of Arms. He's disciplined, strategic, and he understands what it means to fight for something bigger than yourself. He's also one of the most honorable people I've ever met."
"You'd be okay with it?" he asked. "It would mean staying in Alliance space. Probably living on Calpa, near the main military academy. It's not... it's not a quiet life."
"I don't want a quiet life." I squeezed his hand. "I want a life with you. And if that life includes you training the next generation of Alliance warriors? I'd be proud to be the mate of the Master of Arms."
The emotion that flooded through the bond was overwhelming. Love and gratitude and something deeper—the bone-deep certainty that we were right together.
That this was what we were meant to do.
Ahrick turned back to Ako.
"I accept."
Ako's smile was genuine. Warm.
"Excellent. I'll have the formal paperwork drawn up. You'll start in a month—that should give you time to visit Vaktaire and settle your affairs. Report to Calpa on the first of next month, and we'll begin the transition."
"Understood."
"Good." Ako glanced between us. "I'm glad this worked out. The Alliance is better with you in it, Ahrick. Both of you."
The meeting wrapped up quickly after that—details about housing on Calpa, salary, benefits. The practical matters that came with accepting a position like this.
But I barely heard it.
I was too focused on the feeling flowing through the bond. Ahrick's hope. His excitement. The sense that maybe, finally, he was getting a chance to be more than the sum of his mistakes.
When Ako's projection finally faded, leaving us alone in the conference room, Ahrick pulled me into his arms.
"Thank you," he said against my hair.
"For what?"