knees buckled.
He caught her before she hit the floor, lowering them both. “It’s a term of endearment.” Cradling her in his arms, he brushed his fingers over her cheek. “It means heart.”
She began to tremble. “I’m cold.” Not even his warmth could penetrate the chill surrounding her.
“It’s shock. We need to leave.” He pushed to his feet with her in his arms and strode across the cargo bay.
Shock. That made sense. It was like floating on a cold cloud. Had he called her his heart? That was nice. Heat and awareness catapulted through her. Adrenaline surged once again, bringing with it a stunning clarity.
“Put me down.”
He stopped immediately and lowered her legs, but kept one arm around her for support.
“Did you mean it?”
He didn’t pretend not to understand what she was talking about. “Yes.” Taking her hand, he pressed it against his chest. Through his clothes and battlesuit, she felt the heavy thud of his heart.
“I have to go to your world to be judged for my crime.” There was no way around it. And her guilty conscience could allow nothing less.
“I’ll be beside you.” His promise was stronger than the titansteel blades he carried. He hesitated like he was going to say something but shook his head. “We’ll talk later.” He swooped down and captured her lips in a hard, hot kiss before pulling away.
Her lips tingled and heat flashed over her. “Right. Security is bound to raise the alarm soon. Where are the girls?”
She’d no sooner said their names than a door slid open, followed by the patter of feet. Kyler released her and stepped back as the girls pelted forward. “Etta,” Sera cried. The girl threw herself in Etta’s arms a second before Maggs joined her. “You’re safe. You’re safe.”
They were all here and safe, thanks to Kyler. She ran her hands over their hair and precious faces. “I’m fine. But we need to get strapped in for takeoff.” She hated how their features pinched and the color washed from their small faces.
Then Maggs nodded. “We’re going home.”
Etta’s stomach clenched. How could she make the girl understand? “We can’t ever go back to Mortis,” she began.
“I know. We’re going home,” she insisted. Etta looked at Sera, who shrugged.
Did she think they were going to her mother’s home world? “Sweetie, we’re not going to Darkata.” The girls might end up there eventually, but not until they’d gone to Gravas.
Maggs shook her head, her red curls dancing, her green eyes filled with confusion. “We’re going home,” she insisted. Then she went over to Kyler, curled her fingers into his pant leg, and stared up at him. She didn’t seem to notice his fierce glare or be put off by his remote demeanor, nor the blood staining his clothing.
And the most dangerous man in the universe nodded. “Yes, Maggs, we’re going home. Get the girls strapped in. Takeoff is in thirty seconds.” He strode away, leaving two of them perplexed while Maggs danced in a circle.
“Come on. We need to get strapped in.” Taking each girl by the hand, she hurried after him. He was already in his command chair, snapping out orders to the computer.
Hands shaking, she managed to get the girls buckled in before taking the seat beside them and doing the same. The ship lifted off and headed toward the port door, which opened as they approached.
Within seconds, they blasted out into space.
“Computer, set course for Gravas.”
Maggs kicked her feet with delight, but dread filled Etta. Sera patted her leg, and she offered the girl what she hoped was a reassuring smile. Fate was coming for her.
Chapter Thirteen
They were cruising toward Gravas and would be there within two planetary weeks. They could arrive sooner if he employed boosters, but Kyler was in no hurry. He’d already filed his report with Gravasian command and gone dark with communications.
That would anger the king, but he needed time alone with Etta. If he was going to lose her when they reached their destination, he wanted this time with her. He was owed that much for his years of unwavering service.
He was going home. Little Maggs had spoken the truth. He hadn’t been there in over a decade. He lived on his ship, going from mission to mission. If there was any downtime, he spent it on whatever planet he happened to be near.
He swiveled in his command chair when Etta entered the control room. “How are the girls?”
She dragged her fingers through her hair and offered him a strained smile.