“You can’t be serious?” He turned to her. “Heir Imperial, they’re young, the boys and your brother. It’s our duty as their elders to make the right decisions on their behalf. Surely you don’t want liars anywhere near your bloodline.”
“Tiberans can’t procreate with Vitals,” Sila drawled in mock innocence. “Remember, you told us that yourself, father.”
“You even went so far as to say that was one major reason you were allowing us to come here,” Rin added. “Because it meant there was no chance of either of us getting anyone pregnant and sullying the family name.”
Lyra’s eyes narrowed. “I see.”
“They’re lying, Heir Imperial,” Crate reassured.
She merely turned to Kel for confirmation.
He shook his head. “He’s the one lying.”
“My decision stands,” Lyra announced. “It seems the two are under the protection of my brother, and if he’s claimed them, there’s nothing I can do. They’ll be staying here, on Vitality, and that is final.”
“You can’t do that! This is kidnapping! I’ll tell the Empress of Tibera you’re holding hostages! This could mean war,” Crate snapped.
“I’ll call her personally and explain the situation,” Lyra said. “If you’d like to still try your side of things once you finally arrive home in two weeks, that’s your prerogative, General. But no matter what you claim, it’s very clear that both Sila and Rin Varun would prefer to stay here than go anywhere with you. Is that correct, boys?”
“Yes,” the twins said in unison.
“Well,” Lyra held out her hands primly, “there you have it. The guards in the hall will escort you back to your landing bay, General. I’ll ensure you have a seat on the next ship off planet.”
“You can’t do this!”
“We’re adults,” Rin told his father. “Recognized as such both in this galaxy and the Crystal Sea. Father, legally there’s nothing you can do to keep us.”
“If he keeps being difficult,” Sila suggested. “We could always handle him.”
“We are not murdering our father.” He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.
Kelevra noticed the moment it finally clicked for Crate. His gaze pinged back and forth between his two sons and it was as though he was looking at strangers.
“Giving you two life was the biggest mistake I have ever made,” Crate said.
“Unless you want one of us to take yours,” Rin stated, “you’ll be on your way now, Father.”
“Goodbye,” Sila added. “You’ll forgive us for never speaking to you again.”
For a moment, everyone went quiet, the twins staring their father down.
Then Crate moved, pulling a blaster free from a hidden holster beneath his shirt. His arm swung up and he aimed at Sila, but before he could get a clear shot, Rin shot forward.
Kelevra tried to stop him, his hand catching air as Rin moved at a speed faster than he was aware he was capable of going. He’d read that Tiberans were light on their feet after he’d discovered that’s where Rin was from, and he’d witnessed that firsthand when they’d been running through the forest, but it still caught him off guard seeing it now.
Rin latched onto his father’s wrist, the blaster going off. A bullet zipped through the air, shooting into the side of a dresser, splinters of wood flying. The sound of bone snapping came shortly after, and then Crate was dropping to his knees, screaming.
The blaster was snatched from his useless hold, his wrist now broken, and Rin lifted it, muzzle pointed directly at Crate’s forehead.
Kel reached him, settling a hand lightly on Rin’s arm. “It’s okay, Flower. It’s okay now, you don’t need this.”
“If he’s gone, it’ll all be over,” Rin whispered darkly.
“That’s the anger talking, sweetheart. You aren’t Sila, you aren’t cold-blooded. This will haunt you forever if you go through with it.”
He pursed his lips, tilting his head slightly to the side so he could send a sideways glance toward Kel. “Not Sila, huh?”
Right. Damn it.
