“Okay. Good. That’s—that’s good. Then let’s get the hell off this planet before I change my mind.”
“You will not change your mind. I will not allow it.”
“Possessive bastard.”
“Yes.”
He leaned down to kiss her—
Her eyes fluttered closed, a soft smile on her lips.
A sound split the air.
I have failed.
Chapter Fifteen
Maelic
Theybothfroze.
A thunderclap. But there were no clouds. No storm.
Maelic knew that sound. The displacement of atmosphere from a ship breaking through the sky.
He looked up.
The vessel descending through the gray clouds was black and jagged, built for speed and brutality. He had spent cycles hunting that ship. Memorizing every line. Every weapon port. Every weakness. The ship that had taken his parents.
Barvarti.
Every muscle in his body locked.
No. Not here. Not now.
“Del.” His voice came out cold. The voice of an Axiom, not the male who’d just been ready to kiss her senseless. “Listen to me very carefully.”
“What is that?” She was staring at the ship, face pale. “Maelic, what’s happening?”
“That is the male who killed my family.” He gripped her shoulders. Forced her to look at him. “And he is here for me.”
Her eyes went wide.
“The large tree at the edge of the clearing. The one with the split trunk. Do you remember it?”
She nodded. He could see her trying to be brave. Trying not to panic.
Good. His brave little human.
He pulled the transponder band from his wrist and pressed it into her palm. “Put this on. Press the center three times. It will cloak you. Do not move. Do not make a sound.” He held her gaze. “No matter what you see. Do you understand?”
“Maelic, I’m not leaving you to fight alone—”
“You are not leaving me. You are staying hidden so I can end this.” He pressed his forehead to hers. Breathed her in. Memorized her. “I will come back to you. I swear it. But I cannot fight if I am worried about protecting you. Please,astara. Let me do this.”
Her jaw trembled. Her eyes were wide. The silent prayer he sent to the goddess was that she would listen to him and move.
To his immense relief, she nodded.
