Haven 4 AVOW - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,72

and your forces until she is returned safely home,” Ko'San said, not exactly sure who the ambassador was speaking of.

“I understand. Of course, you cannot be away from Command Warship 1 for so long. Come. I will show you her quarters so you can be assured she is safe.”

Ko'San followed the male through the corridors, keeping his eyes straight ahead and making no eye contact with anyone as he carried Synclare securely in his arms. When the ambassador stopped outside a door, Ko'San stopped, too. “This is one of the rooms we’ve assigned to several of the females you and your warriors have freed over the last several years. Those on either side are empty as all the other females have returned to their home worlds, so she will have plenty of quiet time. We will, of course, assign security as well. They will remain here in the corridor.”

“Thank you.”

The ambassador moved his hand over the sensor and the door opened, granting them access.

Ko'San carried her into the room, glancing around to see a bed, a storage unit for clothing, and a door that led to a cleansing chamber.

“It is not large, but it is very safe,” the ambassador commented.

“It will do,” Ko'San said. He laid Synclare on the bed and stepped back, looking down at her. “May I have a moment?” Ko'San asked.

“Of course, General,” the ambassador said, leaving the quarters that had been given to Synclare without delay.

Ko'San looked down at the unconscious female his brother had chosen to mate. He stuck his hand into the pocket of his trousers and withdrew the vial holding several more doses of the medication she’d been given. His mother had instructed him to administer another dose before they left Lo’San’s home, and yet another upon arrival on the Consortium’s station. She knew it would kill Synclare, but insisted it be done anyway. Ko'San simply couldn’t do it. He’d not given her the dose before leaving her and Lo'San’s home, and as he stepped closer to the bed, and looked down at the helpless female, he knew he wasn’t going to give her the second dose now either. He didn't want to kill her. She’d done nothing to earn the fate his mother had outlined for her. She was simply a means to an end, and he couldn’t find it in himself to end her life needlessly. He set the vial on the small stand beside the bed, and withdrew the note from his pocket his mother had given him to leave with her. He placed it beside the vial, began to step away, then turned back and pulled the blankets from beneath her body, and covered her. He checked to be sure the credit band with half of Lo’San’s credits transferred to it was securely fastened around her wrist, then exited the room.

“Thank you for your assistance,” Ko'San said, as the door to what was now Synclare’s room closed behind him.

Two males in battle gear appeared at the far end of the corridor and strode purposefully toward them.

Ko’San’s stomach did flips wondering if they had realized he wasn’t Lo'San.

“These are the males assigned to guard your mate, General,” the ambassador said.

“I see,” Ko'San answered. Then he looked at the ambassador. “She is my mate no longer. I can only honor her wishes to return her to her home.”

“Of course, General. Will you stay to see her awake?” the ambassador asked.

“No, I must return to my ship. I have left her medication should she need it, and she has more than enough credits for use however she may wish. She should want for nothing. This is her desire so my presence is not required,” Ko'San said.

“I understand. I’ll see you to your transport,” the ambassador said.

As he and Ko'San began their walk back to the docking bay, Ko'San looked back one more time to see the guards take up their positions across from Synclare’s doorway. At least he knew she’d be safe until she could be returned home.

Ko'San boarded the transport and ordered his pilot to return them to Command Warship 1.

“But, General, your mate?” the pilot asked.

“She’s asked to be returned to her home world. I have complied with her wishes as any honorable male would do,” Ko'San said solemnly.

The pilot seemed to be taken aback for a moment before slamming his arm across his chest in salute. “I am most sorry to hear of your loss, General. I’ll get us back home right away.”

Ko'San gave a nod and started past