Chapter Thirty-Eight #2
I tensed at his estimate. Some might think it good enough, but I preferred better numbers. My estimate had been much higher, as had Rath’s, which meant Saed knew something about the Skarashk that we didn’t.
“Can that chance be increased?”
I could feel her fear, and it wasn’t just for Halcyon. She hadn’t liked the chances he’d given either, and while her question might have seemed redundant after mine, she’d been open enough in her request that Saed could volunteer something I hadn’t thought of.
I held my breath, waiting as Saed studied her, then turned his gaze to mine.
“There may be ways. I will return with answers.”
He left the bridge with quick steps as I squeezed Serenya against me.
“This is why the alliance matters. What we get from working together.”
My voice carried through the deck. I knew the crew heard even though they all stayed focused on their tasks.
I kept my attention on Serenya, tipping her head up further.
“And that is why I need your help.”
Her eyes widened, confusion and surprise mingling in my chest.
“Mine?”
“You understand Humans. You understand politics. You know the Qy’shaeuhl better than I, and you are learning the Morrak.”
She swallowed, guessing what I was hinting at. I’d never force her into a position that made her uncomfortable, but I knew she was searching for purpose just as much as Rath had.
“I’m not a diplomat, Kael.”
“No. You’re better.”
I let my lips tip up.
“When we return to Earth, I need someone beside me who the UEC recognize. Someone they trust. Someone who can make them understand when warrior reasoning doesn’t work.”
Her breath caught.
“But my father…”
“He made his own decisions. His dishonor does not reflect on you. They know you understand them, and your authority comes from me, not them.”
She was quiet for a long moment, absorbing the weight of it. Various emotions bled through our connection, but I remained steady in my support and belief in her.
Pride filled me when she nodded.
“I can try.”
I tightened my hold, leaning down to press my lips to hers.
Licking along the seam, I delved deeper when she opened for me, her little moan audible over the silence around us.
I wanted nothing more than to take her back to our quarters and show her how proud I was that she was mine, but I also needed to show my people that I could still focus on my duties as well.
That she wasn’t the distraction and weakness Rath had claimed.
My victory in the Ravak’torr could only do so much.
So I pulled my mouth away with a promise to finish the kiss later, and started checking the positions of my fleet, their supply reports, and the star charts.
This was just the beginning of our relationship with Humans and the Qy’shaeuhl, so I would do what I had always done when preparing for battle and use what I had at hand to better our odds.
Despite the threat, the discovery of the Skarashk ship eased one of my worries. The UEC would be more likely to accept my demands to remove Hale from the council and have the next gala sooner with a threat moving towards Halcyon.
The gala might seem like the wrong thing to focus on with a battle looming, but the job of Torvakai was to think of the good of all.
Saed had shown the Qy’shaeuhl were willing to help us thanks to the alliance, the Humans would need us more than ever if the Skarashk aimed for their colony, and I needed to ensure that things would remain peaceful and cooperative with more bonds.
Which led to my next task.
“Contact me immediately if there are any updates from patrols or Saed,” I called to the crew as I rose from my seat, setting Serenya on her feet.
Taking her hand, I led her from the bridge back to our quarters. She breathed easier once the door closed behind us, desire growing, but I couldn’t turn my focus to her just yet.
“I need to do one last thing, and then I plan to finish that kiss. Can you prepare our nessha?”
Her teeth caught her bottom lip and I felt the spike of her lust as she nodded.
I had done my best to hide my worry from her, and the uncertainty we faced might have distracted some, but it only made me need her more. I wanted to lose myself in pleasing her while I had the time. Wanted to assure my instincts that she was still here, and nothing could separate us.
She disappeared as the portal closed, and I took my communicator from my belt to call Rhydek to meet me. I hadn’t wanted to have the conversation on the bridge, and going to his quarters would mean waiting longer to join my mate in our nest.
The door chime sounded shortly, and Rhydek faced me from the corridor, arms crossed, scowl already carved into his face.
I stepped back, allowing him to enter as I began.
“There’s a Skarashk colony ship near Halcyon. We need more bonds, and the UEC will not refuse to move the gala forward with this news. I need you to try again.”
His jaw flexed, kethra pulsing as he processed.
“Kael, I already—"
“I know,” I cut in. “But the serum failed on the candidate you chose. That exempts her, not you.”
His brow lowered, lip curling to show his teeth.
“You cannot require this of me. I agreed once. There is no need to add more failures.”
“Just because it didn’t work on her doesn’t mean it’ll fail again.
Nyrel has assured me they’ve improved their candidate testing.
We need more ties to the UEC, and there are only so many Morraki I can trust with these initial bonds.
Malrik has claimed a place in this gala, but I need someone I can rely on. ”
Rhydek’s tail flicked. He’d never cared to control himself when none would dare call him weak. He was intimidating even to seasoned warriors, which was why he was Torashkar.
“Why must you torture me? I will not make a good mate.”
I huffed, my lips ticking up. I’d once thought the same thing.
“You might be surprised.”
His growl rumbled in the space between us, but there was no threat in it.
“The third will be Darev Solann.”
It was Rhydek’s turn to snort.
“The Artok?”
I shrugged, turning away to drop my belt on the end of the couch. Rhydek was no threat, he’d already given in, he just hadn’t admitted it to himself yet.
“Darev is calm and reliable. The Zeydakai refused, and the Zeydvenai is too new. Darev has earned a reward.
Rhydek laughed as I turned back to him.
“Is that what this? A reward? Saddling me with some soft Human female who will want more attention than I can give her?”
Silence stretched between us, full of unspoken annoyance. Rhydek enjoyed being a weapon, not a diplomat, but he understood necessity.
“The alliance depends on this, Rhydek. Skarashk colony ships are a threat to all Kethrion. The Humans need protection, and we need to ensure they will remain loyal if we are to shed blood for them. We need leverage. Claiming a Human does not mean you loved Shaira any less.”
Rhydek’s jaw flexed again, tail jerking at the mention of his korravalryn. I knew her loss still caused him pain, and I didn’t make the request lightly.
He finally snarled, turning away from me to stomp to the door.
“I will do what I must, but I will not pretend to enjoy it.”
My chest loosened as I watched the door slide shut behind him. I hated forcing him into something he didn’t want, but after experiencing the bond myself, I thought it might help him, if he could accept it.
I let the tension drain from my shoulders and parted my korrvek, trying to settle myself before joining Serenya, but the portal slid open, blue eyes peeking around the frame.
“Have you tamed the Torashkar?”
I huffed, my lips twitching.
“I am not that strong. Whoever he chooses, I hope they’re the right one.”
She stepped where I could see all of her, my vorran stiffening at the sight of her bare curves.
“Did you choose right?”
Her tone was teasing, but there was a hint of uncertainty beneath it. I’d asked myself the same question multiple times, but I was certain of the answer now.
“Yes, veyrari. There was no other choice for me.”
The Zeydrassk hummed beneath our feet as I swept her into my arms, carrying us closer to Earth as I carried her to our nest. My motives for choosing her hadn’t been due to emotions, but my commitment to keep choosing her had been inevitable.
She was my tavehn, my shael, and she would stand by my side as we faced whatever the future brought.