Chapter 20 – Kerra
“What’s the matter, Tok?”
He opened and shut his mouth several times, completely uncharacteristic of the brave warrior I knew so well. Running a hand over his hair and down his quills, he began to pace in front of me. “I have something to tell you. You might want to sit down first.”
Motok had led us back to our room about ten minutes ago, pulling me away from the scared human girls all huddled together in a row of rooms on deck three.
I’d spent time in each one and explained as much as I could, hoping to alleviate their concerns.
Most of them just wanted to go home. Several were so traumatized they weren’t speaking.
A few did nothing but cry. It was the most emotional and exhausting hours I had ever spent in my life.
None of that was a concern now. I sat down on the edge of our bed, eyeing Motok with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
He was making me nervous. I rubbed my palms over my knees and took a couple of deep breaths, hoping to chase the butterflies in my tummy away.
Nausea had been fleeting and I wasn’t sure if it was the pregnancy or the shock of finding so many girls sold and abused.
“Please tell me. I’m getting anxious.”
“Valtus found a girl about to be raped. He stopped Senator Rymar before he could complete the act.”
Nodding, I swallowed hard. That was a little too close to home. “Is the girl alright?”
“She passed out, probably from exhaustion.”
That explained why I hadn’t met her yet. “Is she in the medical bay?”
Motok approached slowly and sank down on the bed next to my side. “Yes. Valtus personally carried her there and has refused to leave her side.”
I wasn’t surprised. Valtus mentioned his past briefly. I knew he had personal experience with the slavers. “I see. I’m glad he’s with her. She would trust the man who rescued her to keep her safe.”
“I agree. It would be a good idea if you spoke to her but there’s something you need to know first.” He cleared his throat awkwardly.
“What I’m about to say next is going to be a shock.
I want you to know that I had no idea. No one suspected that Rymar had kept a captive separate from the others for his own personal use. ”
“What did you find on Cryton, Tok? This sounds bad.”
“We destroyed the settlement, just so you know. I gave the order about two hours ago. Nothing remains of the facility, even the lower levels. It would take several span to rebuild. I don’t anticipate the slavers returning any time soon.”
“Okay.” Tilting my head to the side, I tried not to be concerned about his hesitancy. “I’m glad. What about Rymar?”
“He’s in the detention block on level one. High security. He won’t be leaving his cell until he arrives back on Vindar for trial.”
“He doesn’t deserve a trial. Neither does Bly,” I spat with venom. “Those men are vile.”
“They are, my Venya. Justice will be served. The Braxthar people will demand it.”
“I’ll take the witness stand if I need to, just to make sure they are both convicted and sentenced to death. Exile is too lenient.”
“Of course,” Motok responded with a smirk, “but we must protect our child. That is our first priority.”
“Is that why you’re being so hesitant with me now? Because I’m losing my patience,” I admitted, squeezing his hand as it held my own tightly. “Time to spill it.”
“Spill?”
“Just say it, Tok.”
“I believe the female we found today,” he announced with a slight pause, “is your sister Kacie.”
For a full ten seconds I didn’t blink, didn’t move, hardly dared to hope. “What? Say that again.”
His hands cupped my face, tilting it upward. “I think we found Kacie alive.”
“How? I don’t . . .” I trailed off, inhaling and exhaling a few times in an effort to calm my anxious heart. “I have to see her.”
“I know. She’s still resting which is why I didn’t rush this conversation. I could be wrong. What if I got your hopes up and it wasn’t your sister? I would be responsible for breaking your heart.” The anguish in his voice proved his sincerity.
“Oh, Motok. I would never blame you. The fact that you’re being so gentle means the world to me.” I met his lips as he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss against them. “I want to go to her now. I have to be sure.”
“I would expect no less. Prepare yourself. She’s been through hell and may appeared altered from what you remember.”
His words created more doubt and fear, but I knew it was unintentional. “Stay by my side. I need you.”
“Always, my Venya.”
The medical bay was busy, several of the Braxthar warriors were being treated for minor injuries.
None of the human girls would consent to a physical and I didn’t blame them.
They couldn’t stomach being touched in any way.
A single bed was located on the far end, partially concealed by a thick white screen.
Valtus was sitting on a stool, his head bowed as he watched over the female that wasn’t moving.
When anyone came close, he growled in response, chasing them away with haste.
I nearly smiled when I realized he was being so overprotective. Who would have thought he’d have such a strong reaction?
“Valtus,” I whispered, walking slowly forward. “I need to see her.”
“Only you and Motok. No one else.”
I’d never heard him call Tok anything but Commander. It was odd but I didn’t say a word about it. “That’s fine. It’s only us.”
“Fine,” he relented but he only moved a few inches. There was enough space to stand side by side. Nothing more.
Motok lingered at the end of the bed, watching us both.
The second that I saw her face, I knew this girl was my sister.
The small scar next to her left eyebrow was still there from when she fell down the stairs at age two.
A tiny beauty mark was the only imperfection on her smooth and flawless skin.
Dark lashes rested against her pale cheeks but when she opened her eyes, they would be the same shade as my own, a vivid green.
Reaching for her hand, Valtus released it and moved to the other side of the bed, picking up the other hand and rubbing small, gentle circles over her skin.
“Kacie,” I gushed, a sob escaping my throat as I leaned down and began to weep. I felt Motok’s arm settle around my shoulders as I turned and cried, soaking his shirt with my tears. “She’s alive. My sister is alive,” I blubbered, shaking my head. “Oh, Kacie.”
“Hey, stop all that nonsense,” she croaked, squeezing my hand as I turned back around, practically throwing myself into her arms.
“You’re going to crush me,” she joked.
I leaned back, wiping the tears from my eyes. “I can’t believe it.”
“Why?” she asked with a frown. “Did you think I was dead or something?”
“Or something,” Valtus replied, releasing her hand as he took a step back.
His words were clipped, almost a growl as he responded. He was looking at her as if he couldn’t believe she awake and speaking. The poor guy must be overwhelmed.
“Thank you.” Kacie reached out her hand, silently giving him the chance to take it again.
Valtus visibly trembled but shook his head. “You’ve been traumatized enough. I should leave you. This moment is intimate with your sister. Forgive my interference.”
Kacie dropped her hand. “Nonsense. You saved me. What’s your name?”
“Valtus,” he answered with a thump of his fist over his chest. “I would do so again with hesitation.”
“I don’t have adequate words to express my gratitude.”
“That is all I need to hear.” He bowed briefly. “I will leave you now.”
“Wait,” Kacie yelled, almost desperate. “What if I need you again?”
A small smile hovered on his lips. He pulled off the pin on his uniform and handed it to her as Motok’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Keep this with you. There’s a comm device installed.
I will grab another, and we can communicate whenever you wish.
” Bowing again, he left the medical bay, his steps a little more buoyant than I had ever seen prior to this moment.
Reaching upward, I closed Motok’s open mouth with my finger. “Give us a moment, my love.”
“As you wish, my Venya.”
Dazed, he followed Valtus and headed toward the bridge.
“My love?” Kacie asked, her smile twitching with amusement.
“We have a lot of catching up to do,” I answered with smile. “I love you, Kacie. Tell me you’re okay.”
A dark shadow passed over her features as if the pain was too much to bear. “I will be, Kerra. With time, I hope I will be.”