“So you decided to get shot instead?”
“Seemed like… a good idea at the time.”
“You are infuriating.”
“You love it.”
He did. Goddess help him, he did.
Her breathing was shallow. Labored. He could see her systems starting to fail, the way her lips were losing color, the glassy look entering her eyes.
No. No no no—
His transponder band. The emergency beacon Katan had given him access to.
He slapped it, hard, activating the signal. It pulsed red, broadcasting his location across every frequency the Axioms monitored.
Please. Please let him be close enough.
“Stay with me, Del.” He gathered her carefully into his arms. “Katan is coming. He will fix this. You just have to stay with me.”
“I signed the papers,” she mumbled against his chest.
“I know. You told me.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“I know.” His voice cracked.
“I’m your mate.”
His heart clenched so hard it hurt.
“You are. You are my mate, and you are not allowed to leave me. Do you understand? I have only just found you. You cannot—”
The air split with the sound of atmospheric entry.
Maelic’s head jerked up. A sleek Axiom flier tore through the clouds, descending fast. Katan’s ship.
Thank the goddess. Thank the goddess.
The ship touched down, ramp lowering before it fully settled. Katan emerged at a run, medical kit already in hand.
“How bad?” he demanded, dropping beside them.
“Phaser. Point blank. Chest.” Maelic couldn’t make his voice work properly. “She is human. I do not know if—”
“Move.” Katan’s hands were already working, scanner running over Delaney’s torso. His expression darkened. “Internal burns. Severe. But stabilizable if we act now.”
He looked up, meeting Maelic’s eyes.
“Get her on the ship. Med bay. Now.”
Maelic didn’t need to be told twice. He lifted her, cradling her against his chest as he ran for the ramp.
“Don’t let me die,” Delaney whispered, her hand weakly clutching his jumpsuit. “Not… before the fun part.”
“I would not dare.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, wings curling protectively around her as he ran up the ramp. “Rest now,astara. I have you.”
