Chapter Thirty-Four #2
“We have to stop them. And that was just the first problem today.”
My brows creased.
“There’s more?”
Frowning, he dropped his voice lower to keep Serenya from hearing where she stood looking at one of the weapons hung on the wall.
“Rath found another Skarashk ship on the same path as the one they just destroyed near Halcyon, but this one is different.”
I went stiff, the new threat shoving aside everything else. The rebels, the dead, the politics, none of it mattered if the Skarashk managed to start a colony that close to Earth and Morrakan.
“Different?”
Kael’s kethra flashed, his jaw flexing. His eyes were locked on his mate, and I knew he was doing his best to hide his worry from her.
“Bigger. Faster. I’ve dispatched other ships to help the three already in that sector, but he doesn’t think they’ll reach them in time. I have to take the Zeydrassk to Earth first, and then we will be going to Halcyon.”
My thoughts immediately jumped to which warriors to bring, what kind of weapons, and how best to defend the colony. It was soothing to focus on the familiar tasks of war planning.
Then Kael shattered the calm.
“I need you to remain here.”
Every muscle in my body tightened, a snarl ripping from me before I could control it.
“No!”
His eyes narrowed as they swung to me. We had been thyrran long before he became Torvakai and I got away with not showing him the respect his position was due most of the time, but he was still the leader of Morrakan.
“There are reasons...”
“None good enough.”
Kael unfolded his arms and turned to face me, making it clear this was not a conversation he intended to back away from. I was challenging him, and he wasn’t going to ignore it.
“You’re not being objective.”
I laughed at that, the sound a sharp bark that echoed in the room.
“I am the best general you have if the Skarashk make it to Halcyon, but you want to leave me behind? I’ve been loyal to you since we were in training, and you’re going to need me.”
Kael’s lip lifted, flashing a canine at me before he calmed himself
“Your mate was attacked and nearly died. She needs you.”
I hated the weight that argument carried, but I shoved that reason aside.
“Bonded warriors are not given special treatment. I know the risks. Getting her out of Korvashan gets her away from the rebels.”
He stepped closer to me, his chest almost brushing mine.
“But does she know the risks, Rhydek? Are you sure you wouldn’t be trapping her in a smaller space with rebels? Have you realized she has a rakhul with the varku who protected her, and what will happen if she disappears?”
My mouth hung open as I processed his words, trying to find something I could argue, but realizing he was right.
Taryn knew I led the warriors, but I wasn’t sure she understood the risks with us bonded.
I also knew there were rebels amongst the warriors because I didn’t believe in coincidences, especially when there were attacks on the other Humans at the same time an incident pulled me away and left Taryn vulnerable.
I hadn’t considered the idea that Taryn and Zharrek had a rakhul, but thinking over everything, it was the only explanation that fit. She likely didn’t realize it either, but I knew leaving him behind would make her unhappy and bringing him on the ship could set him back.
“I need someone here I trust, Rhydek. Someone who can control the council and will protect both Korvashan and the alliance.”
His quiet tone got my attention better than any yelled command. I sucked in a deep breath as I stared at him, trying to wrestle myself into accepting what was necessary.
Kael’s eyes turning briefly toward the bed chamber where Taryn still slept.
“There is unrest here, the alliance is unstable, and someone needs to root out the rebels and put an end to them before they grow too large to handle. I have to leave, and I need my Torashkar here in Korvashan to keep order and coordinate the hunt.”
I didn’t like it. I couldn’t deny anything he’d said, and while the old me would have fought to go anyway, honor bound me to do this.
For him, and for Taryn.
“If they come for her again I’m not sure I can handle things diplomatically.”
Kael huffed.
“If I wanted diplomacy, I would leave Malrik in charge, but I think you’ll tear the city apart more efficiently.”
Laughing, I shook my head. If ever there had been a shred of tolerance in me for those who didn’t want things to change, it wasn’t there anymore. Not after holding Taryn together with my hands while her blood coated her skin red.
“We’ve fought every front together since I was old enough to carry a blade.”
Kael’s lips tipped up but there was no humor in his eyes.
“I remember.”
Hanging my head, I tried to find a way to voice how I felt.
“I hate that you ask me to stay behind. You’re bonded now too.”
His lips curved higher and his eyes turned to Serenya. Our argument had caught her attention, but she’d remained on the other side of the room, fussing with the plant she’d brought while pretending not to listen.
“I didn’t ask. We know the risks and will face them together.”
It was even more reason for me not to like the situation, but I was cornered. Kael was my commander.
My friend.
And at that moment, I wanted to bash him the way I did the youngsters in training.
My tail lashed, slamming into the edge of the low table hard enough to rattle the cups resting there. In the bedchamber I heard Taryn call my name, a question in the bond, and both our eyes flicked towards the door before returning to each other.
Kael lowered his voice, but not the force behind it.
“Halcyon is not yet a battlefield. Korvashan already is, and it must be won.”
I hated that he was right.
Before I could say anything further, the door chimed again. We both turned, my kethra flashing at the interruption.
I hit the datapad with more force than necessary and the door opened to Saed, Tavrin at his shoulder carrying a satchel and two sealed jars. The Qy’shaeuhl’s pale eyes moved from my face to Kael’s and then beyond us, taking in the tension in the room as if he were cataloguing symptoms.
“I have come to check on Taryn,” he said. “And perhaps I can prevent two Morraki from doing anything foolish while I do so.”
Kael’s mouth flattened as I let out a huff, and Saed tilted his head, the feathers on his face ruffling.
“May we enter?”
I stepped aside because I couldn’t refuse anything in regards to Taryn.
From the open door to the bed chamber came the faint sound of Serenya’s voice, warm and low, and then Taryn’s answering murmur. Serenya had slipped in while I was distracted, but I didn’t have time to worry before both women appeared in the doorway.
Saed glanced between us once more before moving toward the Humans.
“I have news you all need to hear, so it’s good that you are together.”
He didn’t wait for anyone to respond, beckoning Taryn to a seat at the table where we shared meals. Tavrin followed him, leaving Kael and me still lingering near the door while everyone else settled on the bench.
I exhaled, my hands uncurling. Kael’s eyes met mine, and this time there was no anger there, only exhaustion.
Duty.
The same unbearable weight I felt in my bones.
I dipped my head once, because it was all I could trust myself to do. I didn’t want to be left behind, but I knew this was where I needed to be, and I had to accept it.
Kael moved toward the others, his tail curling around Serenya as soon as it could reach. He displayed his affection for her as if he didn’t care who saw, and as I turned my gaze to my mate, I realized I wanted that. I wanted to be able to show her and everyone what she meant to me.
Because she didn’t make me weak.
She gave me purpose.
And I wasn’t going to fail to protect what I cared about again.