Obsidian - Miranda Bridges Page 0,54
of the mission.
“So who’s the damsel now, bitch?”
I chuckle as I recall the way she uttered those words. The look on her face was one of undeniable relief when she saw me. Of course, I had no problem sacrificing myself in return for her safety, but I will admit that my mate’s concern was worth living to see.
Stepping into the next lift leading to the bridge, I shake my head. Jade wasn’t only concerned. She was downright terrified that the machines had already killed me. This alone is all I needed to know that I’m her mate as much as she is mine.
The med bay was welcoming, but it’s walking onto the bridge that makes me feel truly at home. I barely step out of the lift when Alrok’s stepson runs up to me.
“Uncle Castien!”
I would normally forbid his presence on the bridge, since it’s not a place for children, but I’m happy to see him. I bend down and press my forehead to his in welcome. Even though Josiv is not Koraxian, he’s been raised with us on this ship and has mostly shared our customs.
“Jos, do not pounce on the commander like that,” Onah chides. “He has only just entered the bridge.”
I give the boy’s mother a reassuring smile, and her flesh changes from red to its usual amethyst. When she’s not part of my security team, she’s raising Alrok’s son, and what a fine job she has done so far. This young one will make a fine warrior when he’s grown. I may not be his uncle by blood, but the boy will always be my kin.
“Now, I hope you haven’t been causing any trouble on my ship while I was gone,” I say as I straighten up and ruffle his white hair.
Josiv beams up at me. “Oh no. I’ve been on my bestest behavior. Haven’t I, Father?” He turns to Alrok, who stands beside the consoles, his arms crossed and a smile tilting his beard.
“For the most part.” Alrok winks at his son. “Go with your mother to eat. The commander is too busy to have you running around here.”
“Yes, Father.”
Onah takes his hand, and they step into the lift. Josiv waves excitedly before the doors close, and I smile briefly. I hope to have children one day. The thought of Jade carrying my offspring is a pleasant, albeit distracting, vision that I cannot afford to get lost in right now, though it is beyond tempting.
Instead I turn to Alrok, saying, “Status update.”
My second-in-command nods. “We managed to locate an opening in the checkpoint. This gave us a brief amount of time to escape without the Enforcers detecting us. If they managed to, which I highly doubt, since they aren’t as technologically advanced, they won’t be able to catch us.”
“So basically we’re in the clear, sir,” Alrok says. “And we have already set a course for Earth.”
“Excellent.” I nod, my mind put at ease by this report. “I am going to retrieve my mate.”
“Are you certain you’re okay, sir?” Volron asks, swirling around on his seat. “You’ve been resting for two days.”
I draw my eyebrows together, a dark mood descending over me. Two days deprived of my mate is totally unacceptable. Why was I not wakened sooner? As a Koraxian warrior, I should not have been out of commission for such an extensive time. It’s not like the androids depleted me entirely. Or did they? I do not recall what transpired after I was released from the manacles.
“I am perfectly functioning,” I reply, then turn to Alrok. “Man the bridge.”
He straightens with a dip of his head. “Aye, sir.”
Volron’s voice carries to me as I step into the lift. “When in the name of dark do you think I’ll get my mate?”
“All in good time, my friend,” Alrok replies. “All in good time.”
Hopefully, the females rescued by other commanders will be compatible with some of my warriors. I want them to know the blissful euphoria of being mated and to have their true potentials.
Our powers strengthen us, but only our mates complete us.
I glance at my device as it receives an incoming message. My thoughts distracted, I do not register the female knocking into me. The blonde stumbles, and I grip her arms to steady her from falling.
“Oh, commander, you’re back!” Her palms fall to my chest, and she looks up at me, her pupils dilating. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
As always, this female is experiencing intense lust for me. I shake my head and let