The Alien's Equal (Drixonian Warrior #7) - Ella Maven Page 0,25

seen him act like this toward any of his brothers.

I stepped behind him and placed a hand on his arm. His eyes closed briefly before his shoulders drooped. He let his chin fall to his chest as he braced his hands on his hips, his posture defeated.

To Daz’s credit, he didn’t mention Nero’s near challenge. He remained stiff and focused. “I’m sorry, brother,” he said. “I don’t want this either.”

“I know.” Nero’s voice was heavy.

“Justine will stay here since you didn’t get the full time to train her.”

“No!” I shouted, stepping out from behind Nero to stalk a few paces to toward Daz.

Daz jerked at my vehemence and then his eyes narrowed. “This is not your decision.”

“Nero needs my help,” I protested. “And he taught me everything I need to know. Right, Nero?” I turned on him. “Right? Tell him.”

For a long moment, Nero only stared at me. The weight of the world seemed to settle on his shoulders. He didn’t look away, and his gaze held an immense amount of sadness.

With dawning horror, I realized he was going to agree with Daz and forbid me to go. All that talk about letting me be free and about understanding I needed to be in control. It didn’t matter. And worst of all, I couldn’t imagine sending the one man I knew I could love into battle without me there to protect his back. “Nero?” My voice cracked.

Finally, his gaze shifted to Daz, and I closed my eyes as I waited for him to seal my fate.

“She’s coming.”

My eyes popped open at those two words. Nero stood with his chin in the air and his mouth in a thin line as he took on his drexel. For me. My knees threatened to buckle.

Daz didn’t respond but his eyes blazed. A muscle in his jaw ticked.

Nero remained steady in his decision. The silent standoff between the two warriors seemed to go on forever. Finally, Daz dropped his gaze, admitting defeat as he shook his head wearily. “It’s your call then, Nero.” He pointed a finger at me. “I’ll rouse the females to see you off.”

I rolled my lips between my teeth. Oh right. I hadn’t told them yet about my plan to launch myself into this war. I braced myself for the upcoming angry words and tears. “Okay.”

“See you at the gates in two yoras.” With those parting words, Daz left the hut.

Nero didn’t move for a long moment, staring at the closed door with a determined look on his face. Finally, he turned to me, and saying nothing, held his arms out.

I surged into them, and we clung to each other tightly. Despite my confidence I didn’t want a man, I knew I undoubtedly needed Nero. He’d risen above just a man in my mind, to my friend. My partner.

And maybe, just maybe … mate. But I wasn’t going there yet. We had the equivalent of Mt. Everest to climb before we could even think of a future.

“We can catch a few yoras sleep on the returo on the way.” He rubbed my back soothingly.

I hadn’t even thought of that. We needed sleep. Although pure adrenaline was coursing through my system at that moment, I’d need sleep eventually. The returo was the large tank-like hover vehicle driven by the Kaluma. “Okay,” I answered.

“I’m sorry, I wish there was more time.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Thank you for having my back with Daz. That meant a lot.”

He blew out a breath. “I can’t decide if I’m doing the right thing, or if I’m doing the selfish thing, because I can’t imagine you not being at my side.” He cupped my neck and drew me back to face him. “Do we need to talk about what happened before Daz interrupted?”

I shook my head. “I think you made yourself clear.”

“And your response?”

I grinned. “Did my kiss not make my feelings clear?”

“Hmmm,” he hummed as he nuzzled my temple. “I guess it did.”

This was my life though, right? I’d found happiness with someone, and now I was about to throw myself into the most dangerous situation in my life. It was cruel to be taunted with that kiss, of a future I could have if only I completed this mission. A mission which was near impossible, extremely life-threatening, and especially important.

But worse than that? Facing my friends.

I expected there to be a gnashing of teeth and rending of garments, but when Nero and I arrived at the gates with our bags packed, the women