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Oyaz’s eyes fluttered open. Along with awareness, came the memories. He had kneeled for his Dar Eth and lost her, as simple as that. The color of his eyes in the nearest reflective surface didn’t lie. The urge to cherish her had gone as swiftly as the Ethera had struck him down. His breath caught on the throbbing pain in his chest at the mere thought of leaving Izzy unprotected. Perhaps the Ethera was returning? Or was it residual concern? He was uncertain, but he did need to know she was well.
“Supreme Commander Oyaz, you are awake.” Vorn’s cheeks darkened. “I must apologize for not sending aid. I assumed you wanted privacy with your Dar Eth.”
Oyaz winced as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. “For days?”
“What readings we had of your O.D.I. registered as you disconnecting from your side.” Vorn rubbed his temple. “To discover you were assaulted, your O.D.I. destroyed in such a manner as to impact your...mind, this does not bode well, Supreme Commander. It is a weakness we must mitigate.”
“According to Lady Izzy, two stuns from the blaster disabled your O.D.I., removed your memories of the previous day, and numbed the left side of your body.” Brynr tapped on his O.D.I, the holographic lettering flickering as he sifted through information. “Until your neural pathways are fully restored, it will be at least three days before a new one can be inserted.”
“Three?” Oyaz roared, leaning forward with clenched fists. “I cannot communicate with my...Lady Izabelle.” He grimaced.
“She requested an O.D.I. We inserted one into Lady Simmy as a precaution. I have instructed the annals to add it as procedure for any Earthian female on board a battleship.” Vorn clasped his hands behind his back and spread his legs. “I will accept whatever punishment you deem necessary for my negligence.”
Oyaz pinched the bridge of his nose. “The mistake was mine, Vorn. Believing the housing unit secure, I did not plan for the worst scenario.”
Vorn’s shoulders relaxed an inch before he squared them. “You could not have known Madyx et Todyx would lie in wait for you, Supreme Commander. May I also suggest all males receive a second O.D.I.?”
Had he had another, the cave adventure wouldn’t have happened. “Would not a blaster shot destroy the secondary O.D.I?”
“If we maintain secrecy. By the damage done to your nerves, it impacted the one side of your body only.” Brynr gestured to his side. “To incapacitate you, both wrists would need to be stunned.”
Oyaz rose to his feet, testing his balance. “Lady Izzy?”
“Her wound is fully healed, and the synthetic skin applied.”
Oyaz nodded his thanks. “Where is Elite Warrior Garix?” He waited on Vorn, who activated his O.D.I. “Send him to the comm room.”
After ordering and donning fresh armor, Oyaz strode through the common to the comm room, channeling his energy into his limbs and stride. A compulsion took hold of him, demanding he find Izzy, to see for himself she was well. He shoved the urge aside. Not his Dar Eth meant not his problem. His heart twanged, and he swallowed hard. He wanted her to be with every molecule of his being.
A minute after he entered the comm, Garix strode in. “You summoned me, Supreme Commander?”
“How is she?” Oyaz’s voice was hoarse, but there was nothing he could do about it. Worse, that wasn’t what he meant to ask. Garix had been in charge of ensuring the housing unit was secure.
Garix stilled, clasped his hands behind his back, and spread his legs. He pursed his lips on a sigh. “Sad.”
Oyaz halted his pacing to raise his gaze. “Why?”
“According to Elite Warrior Danic, she severed ties with her sister. Izzy also insists on returning to her housing unit. I do not think she will remain there. She talks of visiting places, some off-world.”
Tingles traveled from Oyaz’s hairline down his face and stopped at the back of his neck. She was leaving, as she’d said. He lunged across the room to grip Garix’s shoulders. “Where is she?”
“Viewing deck, Supreme Commander.”
He bolted, sprinting along the passages, uncaring that his boots announced his path. At the door to the viewing deck, he halted. There, he tested his muscles, mind, and memories as he watched her. Her teasing him when he’d kneeled for her almost summoned a smile. Her pleading with him to be happy, to find...another Dar Eth stripped him of joy.
Against the glass display vids, she rested her flushed face. Maker, she is beautiful. She must have sensed him. Twisting to face the door, she settled her gaze on him.
“Oyaz? How are you feeling?” She rushed toward him then stopped short of touching him, as if she remembered she had no right. He craved her caresses, her hand against his chest, the sense of peace her proximity brought him. He longed for her joyful chatter, her way of talking, her strange curses. He ached to hold her, to eradicate the sadness darkening her gray eyes and tugging at her lips.
“Good, and you?” He grimaced.
“Fine,” she mumbled and turned away from him, dragging her feet until she settled on the seat again. In the reflection of the display vid, a tear trailed down her cheek. She didn’t wipe it away, choosing to ignore it instead. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I wanted someone to love. Someone who would love me.” She gave a self-deprecating smile, one he didn’t like.
He crossed with weakened knees to the closest seat and sank into it.
“I guess I screw up everything I touch.” Her breath caught on a moan, and she rubbed her face. Her voice faltered. “I hope you find your soulmate, Oyaz. You didn’t deserve this.” She abandoned him. The sight of her leaving was haunting. A cold, penetrating ache spread across his chest.
“Supreme Commander Oyaz to security.” Pilot Vyar broadcasted the instruction since Oyaz didn’t have an O.D.I. yet.
He gritted his teeth, wanting to chase after Izzy. But what would he say, what could he do, she wasn’t his. Grunting, he stomped to security, suspecting Madyx of foul play.
Striding into security, he paused at finding Miri sitting cross-legged in front of the shielding. Madyx kneeled on the other side, a smile breaking through his glower.
“What is the meaning of this, Elite Warrior Karg?” Oyaz halted beside the console.
“A complication.” The male beamed. “A pairing. I never thought I would witness—”
Oyaz growled. “Alodon’s balls, I must release Madyx for Etteria’s sake.”
Something coated his heart, sinister, greedy, and he gaped. He was...he winced, jealous? Allowing the fury to barrel along his veins, he circled the console and faced Madyx, his intentions clear.
Madyx raised his gaze and scowled.
Oyaz glanced at Miri. “Milady, please excuse—”
“She can stay.” Madyx gazed at Miri. “What I am, what I have done, cannot remain secret between mates.”
Oyaz pursed his lips. “Lower the shield, Karg.”
As soon as its humming died, Madyx lunged across and yanked Miri into his arms. His sigh carried across the room. Miri squeaked but wrapped her arms around him. The male sucked in a sharp breath and shuddered.
Oyaz spread his legs and clasped his hands behind his back. If he had to release Madyx from all crimes, Oyaz needed the full detail. King Xeus would demand it. “All right. Start from the beginning.”
“I was a week on Fuyra when I met a Maloidian. He claimed he could sneak us both out. I refused. I was determined to see my month through.” Madyx smirked, harkening to their damu days. “You were waiting for me, Oyaz, and that alone, kept me honorable. I was there when Azian lost two feet of her hair, but after what she had done, it was not enough for me. I felt...cheated. I did not know of her omeika punishment or her extended education.” He laughed while running a hand up and down Miri’s back. “The following year, Azian gave birth to a daughter with a kreso farmer. I had Karg research her.”
Madyx lifted Miri into his arms, stepped into the cell, and sat on the bed, tugging her across his lap. She snuggled into his embrace. “It was the eighth day when I learned you were...rewarded for your part in this.”
Oyaz pinched his lips. “I should have told you.”
“You tried to refuse. Karg showed me the judgment recordings. A little too late.” Madyx slumped against the bulkhead and buried his face in Miri’s hair. “You asked to serve alongside me, Oyaz. You were always a better male than me.” He shook his head. “I did not know and assumed the worst. Betrayed by Azian, who I thought I loved, and by my battle-bond, the male I held in the highest regard. It was an easy leap to believe you two conspired against me. So, I waited, I watched, noting when the supply and cargo ships arrived, who was on board, how long they docked. Setting the explosion was easy, stealing a Maloidian junket easier. It helped that I had an accomplice.” Sadness hardened his face. “Balllio.”
“I’m sorry, Madyx.” Miri rubbed her nose along his throat.
“I do not blame you, ensa. You did not know, and it was I who placed Balllio in harm’s way.” He kissed her temple and faced Oyaz. “And when we stumbled on news of your imminent arrival, I wanted revenge. Malo planetside posed a problem. I needed him distracted. We planned to kill his Dar Eth and kidnap the other female...Izzy.”
Madyx grimaced. “But she turned out to be resourceful. Her image on Earth’s buzz feed brought us here, to this cave behind her housing unit. It was a matter of time before Etterians or Izzy would come for her sister. Failing your involvement, I hoped to bargain. Her for you.” He cupped Miri’s face, his touch gentle. “My deepest apologies, ensa.”
She layered her hands over his. “There is much we must deal with, Madyx. You almost raped my friend. And you had no problems hurting her.” She rested her temple on his chin. “We will need to learn to trust each other. I get that me not staying with you means your death, but after what you did... My father believed in giving people second chances. This is yours. Hurt me in any way and I will shoot you.”
He crushed her against him, his smile reminiscent of his charming old self. ‘The Ethera will not allow me to harm you, ensa.” Keeping his arm around her, he faced Oyaz. “I cannot make amends for all I have done, but I can share what I know. Karg, please, record this. A civil war is coming, not for Etteria or Maloid but Yithia. By now, a Yithian male named Kbal and his commander Pyo should have reached out to the members of the Global Council. They are looking to overthrow King Urio.” Madyx bumped the back of his head against the bulkhead. “Do not be deceived, Oyaz. Urio is aware of this...faction and has allowed certain leeway. He tests his allegiances, his standing within Yithia, and has plans to crush Kbal and his followers.”
“And you know this how?” Like Oyaz was supposed to believe a male who had cost him so much?
“Balllio was Queen Alllero’s nephew. She hoped a trip to Fuyra would make him...stronger. In a way, it did. He became desperate and cunning. He bargained our way onto the junket, and the explosion was a diversion, a reason for Etteria not to search for us.”
“Maker.” Oyaz hunched over the console. “Are you saying the only heir to the Maloidian throne is dead?”
Miri squeaked and pushed off Madyx. Her cheeks had paled. “I killed a prince?”
Madyx drew her onto his lap. “He was a prince no longer and wanted no part of the throne.”
“Maloid will fall into chaos when Alllero dies, Madyx. As the only supplier of Maloidian steel, we are at their mercy.” Oyaz scanned the surrounding cells, all empty, then settled on Karg. “Are there any prisoners ported from the cave?”
Karg typed on the console before meeting Oyaz’s gaze. “A few were taken to a separate medical and are being treated by medics in training, Supreme Commander.”
“Are any of them Maloidian?” Madyx’s voice was faint, yet hope brightened his ice blue eyes.
“One moment.” Karg’s brow furrowed as he searched. “Two are. They have not disclosed their names and have been scheduled for interrogation.”
“Lead the way, Elite Warrior Karg.” Oyaz gestured to the passage. “Perhaps if they saw Madyx alive and well, they would be more forthcoming.”
Karg clipped a blaster to his thigh and strode out of security. He turned left and hurried along a passage. Oyaz trailed Lady Miri and Madyx walking arm-in-arm. Through a sealed door and along another corridor they strolled until they entered a common in an unused barracks. Beds filled the room as medics worked from one patient to the next.
“Madyx?” A whisper was the catalyst to a susurration of ‘Madyx’ as his males rose onto their elbows to smile at him.
“I am well, my battle-bonds.” He laced his fingers through Lady Miri’s and tugged her from male to male, introducing her. Laughter echoed across the metallic bulkheads. Karg guarded the door along with other warriors.
Oyaz sought the closest medic. “How many?”
“A dozen, Supreme Commander. All are well. Two need new eyes. We have begun the growth process.”
“Lady Miri blinded them?” Oyaz gaped.
“One yes, the other no, a birth defect weakened his cornea.”
Releasing Madyx but not those under his lead was illogical. Their actions rested solely on his shoulders. Oyaz glared at Miri as if it was her fault she’d triggered the Ethera. For the betterment of Etteria and the possibility of daughters, Oyaz had no choice. “Well done, medic. In your rounds, discover where they would like to be released. After Vorn and his males have questioned them, we will ensure they find their homes.” He settled his gaze on two Maloidians tucked in the corner.
The medic pursed his lips. “As commanded.”
Oyaz weaved between the beds and paused alongside the first Maloidian. “Name?” He studied the male’s markings where they faded from his temple into his tentacled hair. For once, it did not sway but twitched.
“None of your bus—”
“This is Zammar, Oyaz. That’s Balllio.” A grinning Madyx released Miri’s hand and bounded over to his battle-bond. He’d once worn the same happiness when he’d greeted Oyaz. Decades had passed between them, and they had lost much. Oyaz didn’t believe their relationship could be restored. “I thought you dead, Balllio.”
“I am sturdier than I look,” the male grumbled, struggling to sit up.
“It is good to see you alive. This...” Madyx held out his hand to Lady Miri.
Balllio lunged out of the bed and wrapped his long yellow fingers around her throat.
Madyx roared, yanked the Maloidian off her, and threw him against a bulkhead. “My Dar Eth.”
The male sprawled on the floor, raising an accusing finger. “She killed—”
“To save Lady Izzy, as you would do to save me. As you have done.” Madyx crouched beside him. “I cannot blame her. The Ethera demands I forgive and forget.” He flicked a gaze at Lady Miri, and his expression softened. “Here we part ways, my battle-bond. I go where she goes.”
“And I go where you go.” Balllio rested his hand on Madyx’s shoulder.
“If you vow not to harm my Dar Eth, then you are most welcome.”
“I must notify King Xeus of your survival.” Oyaz faced Madyx. “Queen Alllero’s health is deteriorating, and your father, Madyx, has mourned you all these years.”
Both males dipped their heads.
“Please stay with us for as long as you want to, Balllio.” Lady Miri squeezed Madyx’s shoulder. “We’ll leave as soon as you are well.” Her eyes shimmered as she offered a tremulous smile. “And I’m sorry I shot you. Had I known to use the yellow button, all your men would be alive.”
Madyx rose and pulled her into his arms.
“May I suggest you receive an O.D.I. before you port? Should anything befall Madyx, you can reach me.” At her nod, Oyaz waved the medic over and instructed him, then left for his quarters, needing somewhere private to comm the king.
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