My arms held her tighter and I couldn’t voice my thoughts and doubts out loud. The words were stuck in my throat as I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. If she didn’t want more, I was unable to hear it. My hearts would break and shatter. There was no recovery from such rejection.
We stayed on that bed for only a total of four hours, but it was long enough. The most amazing hours of my existence would soon become a distant memory. Jealously, I guarded and horded every second until I could no longer push the inevitable away. Rexnor knocked a few minutes later and informed us of our impending arrival on Vindar and I was unable to answer for so long he must have thought something was wrong.
“Motok?” he repeated.
“We’ll be out shortly,” I finally answered, my voice nearly flat and expressionless. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to leave my star, my reason for living. How could I possibly give her up?
Kerra placed a tentative hand on my chest as I sat up and dressed. “What happens now?”
My gaze devoured the perfect heart-shape of her face and the deep emerald gaze that was filled with uncertainty. “You will meet the council.”
“What are they like?”
I shrugged, a human response I had picked up from her when she didn’t want to answer.
“Tok?” She noticed my reaction.
Guarding my emotions, I answered, “yes?”
“Did I do something wrong?”
My breath caught and I turned to her, placing my palms against the silken texture of her pale face. “No, not ever, my Kerra. This I swear.”
Relief briefly flashed in her eyes and then she moved to dress as I stood. Once we were ready, I led her down the corridor and to the ship’s docking bay. The exit ramp lowered inside the hangar as my grip tightened on her hand. Catching her nervousness, I tilted her head up, placing one last, desperate kiss on her lips for reassurance. The loading dock would be full of Braxthar warriors as was custom, including the council’s Elite Guard. My hand reluctantly released hers as we disembarked, and I immediately hated the loss of her warmth. She didn’t like that I distanced myself and I caught her brief frown.
The council formed a line as the Elders and their dark robes stood out among the Elite. Only the fifth tier and highest-ranking warriors were in attendance. We bowed, giving our respect to the council as custom dictated. Stopping next to my bondedVenyaand being unable to touch her was a torture I would never forget. The new few minutes were a blur. I nearly panicked with the knowledge that our last seconds together were approaching.
Senators Bly and Rymar introduced themselves as she was ushered away from my side and led inside the massive complex of the Braxtharian Capitol. The entire meeting was nothing but white noise in my head. I couldn’t focus. My breath was short, and I felt on the verge of passing out like a complete fool. A peculiar ache settled within my chest and I stepped forward without thinking.
Rexnor’s hand landed on my shoulder and stopped me before I could follow. “She has her duty now.”
Growling, I spun to face my brothers. “I do not care.”
“You do,” Orion contradicted softly. “Your choices were always going to lead to this outcome. Do not act rashly and compromise the importance of their meeting.”
Although he was correct, I still snarled my reply. “I don’t have to like it.”
“No,” Rexnor agreed, “but it is vital that you follow protocol.”
I turned to walk with them toward the warrior’s quarters, resigned to my fate until I heard Kerra scream. Her frightened cry unleashed something deep inside and I bolted forward. She was calling my name in confusion. I saw her fighting against the council’s guards. Why was she so scared? What did they say to her?
The main doors of the entryway stood wide open as the council began to file inside. They almost faded from view when both Senators became aware of the commotion I was causing. My erratic behavior would land me in the medical bay where I would be decommissioned. The threat of death was nothing compared to the horrified screams of myVenya. She was no longer in my line of vision. I didn’t know what was happening. Were they restraining her against her will?
Rexnor held me back as Orion stepped in front and blocked the council’s view of my defiance. Snarling and fighting against my brother’s hold, I didn’t stop until Kerra’s screams faded and I no longer heard her cries and pleas for help. The silence was as devastating as my failure to stand by her side.
“What have I done?”
Rexnor let go as I dropped to my knees, my hearts breaking with the pain and anguish of our separation. My breath stuttered. I could hardly function. Every part of me felt ripped apart all at once.
MyVenya. She was gone.
I didn’t fight hard enough. Why didn’t I insist on joining them and explaining the delicate situation? The council didn’t understand humans. I left her vulnerable and without representation.
It was unacceptable.
A deep roar launched from my throat as Rexnor and Orion looked on in panic. My quills rose as if I was threatened and I jumped to my feet, hell bent on retrieving my mate. Damn the republic. My hearts could not bear this loss.
My brothers tackled me to the ground before the council’s Elite Guard could return and lock me away, my treachery moments from being revealed. I’d done the unthinkable. I’d bonded, loved, and touched a human female protected under the Cardinal Edict. I was guilty of breaking my word and my oath, of proving that the Braxtharian people were guilty of all accusations.
