said.
Quill kissed the top of Jota’s head. “Let us both agree we have been avoiding each other and move on.”
“All right,” I said. “With your permission, I will ask Teo to return Ellis to the castle until the war ends. She only tried to escape because she was trying to help Inara.”
“She almost got you and Krey killed. You were lucky that Krey outmaneuvered their ship,” Quill said.
“She did not know that would happen. None of us did. She should not be punished because the Cillades are dickheads,” I said.
Quill laughed and Jota made a soft snort, his tiny tail flicking back and forth in his sleep before he settled against Quill’s chest again. “The Earth’s curse words are always amusing, are they not, Galan?”
“Yes. Will you allow Ellis to return to the castle until the war ends?”
Quill studied me for a moment. “I suppose it would make it easier for you to escape into the wilds with her if she is at the castle, rather than locked away in Iron Gate.”
“For Krono’s sake,” I said, “can I keep nothing from you and Krey?”
“No,” Quill said. “Hiding your emotions has never been an easy task for you, old friend. Although, I will admit that in this particular case, I simply asked myself what I would do if I was in your place, and your plan came easily enough to me.”
“I have no plan. You are my king and I have pledged my life to protecting you and your family,” I said.
He laughed again. “Galan, you are one of the bravest and most loyal Draax I have ever known, but you cannot lie.”
I rubbed at my forehead as my tail waved in the air. “I love her, Quill. I love her and I cannot be without her. Being separated from her is driving me mad. She will not survive more than a couple of days in the Earth’s prison. I will not give her up. Not even for you.”
I hated that I was about to ruin my friendship with Quill, but I was left with no choice. I needed Ellis like I needed air to breathe.
Quill walked across the room and squeezed my shoulder. The look on his face was a mixture of humour and sympathy. “Old friend, do you forget that at one point I was ready to give up my throne for the woman I loved? I would have done whatever necessary to be with Sabrina. Believe me, I understand what you go through.”
Tears pricked the back of my eyes and my throat went tight. I did not deserve Quill’s love or loyalty.
“Which is why I informed Earth’s authorities this morning that we were forgiving Ellis of her crimes and she would remain on Draax,” Quill said.
My mouth dropped open and my tail whipped back and forth. “I – what did you say?”
“The little female is yours, if she will have you,” Quill said. “You may bring her home from Iron Gate immediately.”
“Quill,” I was struggling to understand the enormity of what he’d done, “you have broken the treaty? Even before you knew that Ellis did this to help Inara?”
“I have,” Quill said. “Old Teo nearly fell out of his chair when I told him.”
“What did the humans say?”
“Do not worry about it,” Quill said.
“Tell me, Quill.”
“The authorities in Iowa are lodging a formal complaint with the Earth’s United Nations, and I imagine I will be required to speak to them about why I have broken the treaty at some point in the future.”
“You would risk our partnership with Earth for me?” I said. “Quill, I am not worth -”
Quill reached out and gripped the back of my neck, resting his forehead against mine. “You are my brother, Galan. I wish for your happiness as much as I wish for my own. You are worth it. Never believe differently.”
My voice hoarse, I said, “I can never repay you, Quill.”
“Of course you can,” he said. “You can mate with your small, strange, sarcastic female and live a happy life.”
“Thank you, brother,” I said.
“You are welcome,” Quill said. “Now, go retrieve your female from Iron Gate.”
* * *
Ellis
All things considered, Iron Gate wasn’t that terrible. Sure, I was stuck in a small windowless room with nothing but a cot, a toilet, and a sink, but compared to some places I’d slept, it was nice. It was clean and bug free and that was probably more than I deserved.
Boredom was my biggest enemy. That and, I tugged at the giant shirt I