fighting in the sky.
Jeden would not only be responsible for Spark. Her heart squeezed. He would be part of the team assigned to safeguard the clone community.
Assumptions. The word passed through her mind.
Had that message been Kralj’s doing? Or had that been her regrets, her misgivings speaking?
Because, fuck, she had those. She didn’t want to choose.
Yet she already had.
Before she could fully absorb that revelation, the others arrived.
The triplets, the clone community’s future guardians, landed, their booted feet spraying sand everywhere. Huge smiles stretched across their handsome faces.
Libor, Frost, Yesun, and Seven-One exited their open-air transports. Seven-One attempted to help Yesun disembark and received a glower for that effort. Libor cradled his new gun almost lovingly in his arms. The big male loved weapons.
The warriors’ chatter dissipated when they spotted Kralj.
They all looked toward the Ruler for direction.
“If you value your lifespans, enter the Refuge.” His words were blunt.
That was an order, not a request.
Seven-One grabbed some of his medical equipment. Xareni turned to collect her pack from the mounted transport’s holder. That contained—
“Enter the Refuge now.” Kralj blasted them with a gust of air.
Fuck. Xareni dropped the pack, whirled around and ran as fast as she could toward the settlement’s gates. Her muscles strained with the effort. Her heart pounded.
Spark hunched over her shoulder. The drakon gripped her tightly.
Ariq matched her fast pace, running beside her. His long black hair streamed behind him.
The damn Chamele made fleeing for their lifespans look good. Her lips twisted.
Once inside the walls, she skidded to a stop and completed a headcount. Everyone within their party had entered the settlement safely.
Her shoulders lowered.
Orol and his mate Rhea must have been waiting for them. The couple immediately emerged from the shadows to embrace their sons.
The triplets’ expressions held an amusing combination of chagrin and love.
Yesun leaned against a structure, breathing heavily. He patted his wound with one of his palms as though seeking to ensure himself it remained wrapped with gauze.
“My gear.” Seven-One huffed, bending over slightly.
Frost and Libor positioned themselves protectively between the rest of the group and the gates. They grasped guns, were ready to defend them…if that was necessary.
Angry shouting pierced the chatter within the settlement. That disturbance originated outside the walls. Gunfire repeated.
Someone, it could have been Balvan, bellowed. That noise was followed by loud crunching, male screams and then, finally, silence.
Ariq looked at Xareni. He lifted his eyebrows.
“Balvan likes to stomp on skulls with his big boots.” She guessed at the cause of the crunching. “He enjoys the sound that makes.”
Seven-One gulped air. “I’ll retrieve my gear later.”
Xareni grinned. “That’s a wise decision.”
“It is very wise.” Her barbarian laughed.
Ariq escorted Yesun to the medic bay.
Xareni accompanied them.
Yesun had been part of her expedition party. It was her duty to see that he was tended to, to ensure he recovered from his wounds.
And, fuck it, she wanted to spend more time with Ariq. For now and for forever, she would go where he went, do what he did, follow him as he often followed her.
Their Second met them outside the medic bay doors. “Kralj said you’d benefit from a medic, warrior.” The male frowned at the gauze wrapped around Yesun’s shoulder. “Lead Medic is waiting for you inside the structure.”
Xareni lifted her chin, meeting Second’s gaze directly. “As the guide on the expedition, I was responsible for the team’s safety. I regret that—”
“We’re warriors, Ariq’s gerel.” Second’s tone was flat. “Wounds…and battles happen.” His eyes glittered. “You’re honorable, skilled, and strong, a worthy addition to our ranks. Our Warlord will be pleased.”
The male assumed she would be returning to the Chamele sector with them.
She had made that decision, but his expectations irked her. “Thank you.”
“I have to speak with you, Second.” Ariq straightened.
Second sighed. “I suspected you would want to do that.” He shook his head. “That discussion can wait. We have a wounded warrior to heal first.” He moved toward the medic bay. “Will the two of you be joining us?”
Xareni glanced at the door. She should enter the structure, attempt to accustom herself to closed spaces before the long journey to Chamele 2.
But she didn’t want her first try to be viewed by Second, a male her barbarian respected.
“Ariq will join you. I’ll stay here.” She reached up and stroked Spark’s stomach, intentionally giving Second the impression her reluctance was due to the drakon.
Spark tried to bite her fingers.
Second nodded. “My gerel doesn’t allow creatures in her medic bay.” He looked at Ariq. “Warrior?”
“I will remain with my gerel.”