“The tower in this valley fell during a landslide many hundreds of cycles ago.” He gestured at the lush landscape around us. “Still, the end of the towers benefits all. For that, you have my gratitude.”
“Then show that gratitude by releasing our people,” Torven said.
Something that might have been amusement crossed his features. “Your crew members are cared for, fed, and have all they need. They are part of my clan now.”
“Then let me see them,” I demanded. “Let me talk to Cleo.”
“No.”
The simple refusal hit me like a slap. “What do you mean,no?She’s my friend. She’s part of our crew. We need to take her home.”
“Her home is here now.” Rezor’s eyes locked onto mine. “With my clan.”
“You can’t just keep them.” My voice rose with panic and fury. “They have lives. Mierva has a mate on one of the Solas. Baleck is a communications officer. They have work. Families. They have—”
“They have a place here. My seers say your people are a prophecy. I cannot let them go.” His nostrils flared, as if he was not quite as on board with this prophecy as his seers were. “Acceptance is not given lightly.” His tone brooked no argument. “They stay. Until we know all is safe.”
I stared at him, trying to process this new twist.A prophecy?“They crash landed,” I said flatly. “No prophecy can justify keeping them prisoner.”
“Ruin or renewal,” he murmured cryptically. “I will not risk my people’s safety. Your companions are safe. Now, leave.”
“No.” I took a step forward, and immediately several guards moved to intercept. Torven’s hand curled around my arm, but I shook him off. “I’m not leaving without them. I’m not abandoning my best friend on this planet because some territorial warlord decided she belongs to him.”
“Zara,” Vikkat warned quietly. “We cannot invade another D’tran territory. It would mean war between our peoples.”
“Then there will be war!” I ground out in frustration. “I don’t care. I’m not leaving Cleo here!”
Rezor’s expression didn’t change. “Such fire.Zara. Yes. Your friend speaks of you often, with great affection. She saidyou have much to say about many things.” He moved closer, ignoring the way Torven tensed beside me. His eyes were surprisingly gentle as his gaze held mine. “Listen well, Zara of the stars. Your companions arenotprisoners. They move freely through the valley, eat at my table, sleep in comfort. Cleo studies this world—something she seems to enjoy greatly. Mierva learns about history, culture. Baleck learns ancient warrior ways.”
Studying the worlddidsound like something Cleo would enjoy, but there was no way Zarawantedto be trapped in a valley fortress. Mierva was a historian and researcher. Baleck was…well, I didn’t know too much about him. He was either at his post or relaxing with the other Destran officers. But still. “If they’re not prisoners, then let them come tell us that themselves.”
“It is not safe. The prophecy must play out.” He studied me for a long moment. He was steady. He practically oozed authority and power, but I wasn’t intimidated. All I saw was a male holding my friend prisoner. “They are clan now. That is final.”
“And the Destrans?” Torven asked. “They chose this too?”
“They are adapting well to life in the valley. They are learning, growing stronger, becoming part of something larger than themselves.” Rezor’s expression was implacable. “They are clan. I do not exile clan members to uncertain fates among the stars.”
I wanted to scream. I wanted to demand, threaten, fight. But looking at Rezor’s unwavering expression, at the guards surrounding us, at Vikkat’s stern face, I knew I was beaten. For now.
“I’ll be back,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “I’ll return with an armada if I have to. I’ll bring every ship, every warrior, every resource I can muster. And Iwillget them back.”
To my surprise, Rezor laughed. It was a rich, genuine sound that seemed at odds with his intimidating presence. “I look forward to it. Perhaps by then, you will have learned that some bonds transcend duty and logic, and even wants.” His expression turned serious. “Your companions are not in danger from us. They are not unhappy. Trust in that, if you can trust in nothing else.”
“How can I trust anything you say when you won’t let me see them?”
“Because I give you my word as leader of this territory.” He placed his hand over the prominent marks on his chest. “No harm will come to them. They are clan, which means they are under my protection as surely as if they had been born to it.”
It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough until I heard it straight from Cleo’s mouth. But it was all I was going to get.
Torven’s hand found mine, squeezing gently. “We should go.”
“I’m not—”
“We’regoing,” he said more firmly. “For now. We’ll regroup, contact the Destran city, arrange for proper rescue operations or negotiators. But we’re not starting a war today.”
He was right. I hated it, but he was right.
I looked at Rezor one last time. “If anything happens tothem. If they’re hurt, or scared, or if you’re lying about any of this—”
