Prideful Savage (A Warrior's Redemption #1) - Miranda Bridges Page 0,46

are willing to create an alliance if you help us defeat the G.C. For too long, they have enslaved our colony and are determined to work us to death. With your help, we’ll take back Aurora and neither of our species will be threatened by him or the G.C. Both of us will win.”

The cloaked figure returns again and whispers in her ear. Hellisa waves him back with a swat of her hand.

“My council has asked for more of this serum before a union can be forged,” she says. “Can you obtain more to ensure its effect is not a mere abnormality?”

I glance at Bravik, unsure of what to say. It won’t be easy getting more of the serum. The G.C. keep their compound heavily guarded twenty-four seven. But with the right allies and resources, I’m sure we’d be able to infiltrate it long enough to steal more. We did it once already before my fellow soldiers and I set off in search of allies.

“I will ensure more of the cure is obtained for further demonstration,” Bravik says. “In the meantime, Your Majesty, I request that you relieve my team and me of our AoS duties to discuss our plan of action. If we fail, you may do as you see fit with us.”

Her eyes narrow ever so slightly. “So be it. I trust you will retrieve Kalach along the way?”

I check Bravik for a reaction, knowing full well it was because of me his friend was taken by the G.C. His jaw tenses, and a muscle ticks rapidly, but he keeps his gaze pinned on Hellisa.

“My team and I will retrieve Kalach from the Galactic Prison en route to planet Aurora, Your Majesty.”

She taps her razor-sharp ebony nails on the armrest of her throne. “Good. I await your return, then.”

And with that, the meeting ends. I slide my hand into Bravik’s and pull his attention back to me. The worried frown etched on his face concerns me, but I know we’ll be able to do this. We’ll free Kalach and get more of the serum, and then our species will forge an alliance that will see an end to the G.C. for good. We can do this so long as we’re together.

As if hearing my train of thought, Bravik turns to me and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I smile up at him, my heart thundering wildly in my ears, and then I stretch as high as I can and press a kiss to his lips. One of his hands finds purchase at the nape of my neck, his other around my waist, and we kiss as if we’re the only people in the throne room.

For that short moment, we are. It’s just me and him.

“Come,” he says at last, caressing the side of my face with a look of utter adoration that makes my pulse soar. “The instant I’ve concluded my next meeting, I’m taking you away to celebrate.”

“Where?” I breathe, following him out of the room so quickly I feel as if my feet barely touch the ground.

Bravik glances over his shoulder at me with a lopsided smile. “To our home, of course.”

Home…

I can’t remember the last time I felt like I had one.

Bravik

It’s time to face the wolves of the AoS.

I stride into the turbolift and press for the conference room. If I could avoid meeting my brothers, I would. But it’s my job to relay Hellisa’s orders and plan our next mission. The doors slide over, but then a familiar tattooed hand holds it ajar and steps in beside me. Commander Leoric gives me his usual noncommittal nod and presses for the top floor.

“Your timing is impeccable as always, Bravik.”

I incline my head in respect. “You know I like to be punctual.”

He grunts at that. “Indeed. I intended to wait until your check-in next week, but I had to see you.” He side-eyes me, his pupils dilated. “I hear you have located a cure?”

I train my focus on the ascending numbers carved into the glass door. “Yes, sir. I am on my way to discuss our next steps with my team. I trust you won’t mind if some of us miss our check-ins?”

The old warrior waves me off. “Of course not. The cure is what matters right now.” He rocks back on his heels and nods. “Yes. I had a good feeling about Vorexia, you know.”

I clasp my hands behind my back. “The cure is not on that planet, sir.”

His eyebrows