The Unexpected Bonding Vow - Michelle Howard Page 0,21

orders, she’d been left on the floor overnight.

To learn a lesson.

The only lesson Saedra learned was that her father would kill her without concern and no one would stop him. He’d summoned a basic medic to see to her several days later after she continued to complain of the pain. A medic whose presence on this backward moon station told her all she needed to know about the quality of his skills.

Razan had been quite unrepentant about not completing his medical trials after his instructors had complained about his numerous errors and risky behavior on the surgery table.

As a result of his inexperience and disregard, Saedra’s bone hadn’t been treated correctly and the leg healed wrong. She limped when too much strain was put on the limb or the muscles spasmed. Which didn’t happen often but when it did, the pain was fierce. Like now.

“Where to next?” Garik asked, gaze studying her upright posture and lingering on her legs which were thankfully covered by her skirts now.

She pulled the cloak back up over her hair and tipped her head to the road before him. “Further down. A hover-cycle for us to use. We wouldn’t be able to escape on foot otherwise.”

His eyes shifted behind her to the hidden hole and the property beyond. “You’ve planned this for a while.”

Since the answer was obvious, she didn’t respond just grabbed for his shirt sleeve and pulled him forward. Fear at having gotten this far was a living breathing beast inside of her. “We should go.”

Over the next ten minutes, they kept a steady pace down the gravel path at the side of the road that ran parallel to the edge of her father’s property. Any moment, Saedra expected her father or his guards to jump out and attack. Calming her overloud breathing was a lost cause. It didn’t help that she could still hear the krels and knew they wouldn’t quit the hunt unless given the command to do so. Those vicious hounds were relentless and never quit tracking prey when they had the scent unless the huntsman could call them off. Even then, it wasn’t a guarantee to work.

Right when Saedra was about to give up on spotting their transport, she spotted the dun covered mound off to the side of the road. Relief wooshed through her. It was exactly where the message had said it would be. “Here. Right here.”

She let Garik’s hand go and headed for what she hoped was their ride. It had been difficult getting the name of someone who could purchase it then do the arrangements all under a false name. Paying the credits in advance had made her leery, but she’d done it. In her haste, her trembling fingers slipped on the heavy covering hiding the hover-cycle.

“Let me help.”

Garik was at her side in an instant. Together they pulled back the tarp, revealing a sleek high-end, black hover-cycle. Saedra’s shoulders sagged and her balance wobbled. Garik shot her a look and she waved his concern away. He had no idea how worried she’d been that her contact had cheated her.

As Garik propped the bike up on its midi-stand, Saedra had a belated thought. One that could derail everything. “Do you ride?”

The corners of his mouth twitched and it was so at odds with his stern, beaten appearance that Saedra’s breath caught. His face in all its austere lines would be beautiful if he let the smile fully form. Dimly she recalled his laughter in the cell. It was a shame it had been too dark to see.

“What were your plans if I didn’t?”

Once more she was unsure if he was teasing her. Going on a limb and hoping it was humor she noted, Saedra quipped, “We would be pushing this together.”

His gray eyes brightened and she waited. To her dismay, no smile was forthcoming. It really was too bad she’d missed it earlier. Saedra sighed and continued. “I don’t ride. It’s why I only purchased one cycle instead of two.”

“You’re in luck.”

Instead of starting the cycle, he squatted at the back of the machine and ran a hand over the horizontal pipes protruding from above the retractable rear wheel. His fingers glided over every inch. He moved along the body of the machine, continuing his touch and seek mission.

Further behind them, a howl split the night with its eerie tones. Saedra wrapped her arms about her torso and cupped her elbows. “What are you doing?”

Didn’t he realize their lead dwindled with each passing second?

“I don’t