Ally looked forward at Lyk, then past him at the cruiser that was looming large above them. As she marveled at its size from this distance, a large metal arm began to extend itself from the ship. Lyk noticed the arm and kicked in the air, causing their trajectory to shift, bringing it in line with the grappling arm.
“This might hurt a little, but I’ll shield you as much as I can.” They were speeding toward the arm, just as it was coming toward them. Lyk widened his body, extending his own arms as if getting ready to catch the claw that was opening on the end of the arm.
She realized that, at this speed, he was going to hit the metal arm hard. Too hard. “Lyk! No! You’ll be killed on impact!”
Ally tugged on the cord but she could do nothing to slow them. A moment later, Lyk slammed into the claw, and a beat later, she slammed into him. It hurt, but it was nothing compared to Lyk’s collision.
“Are you okay?” she croaked when she was able.
“I’ll live,” he said, his voice weak.
Ally, fear clogging her throat, signaled to the ship, gesturing frantically for the Vartiks to pull them in.
The arm moved slowly, causing Ally to curse under her breath. As carefully as she could, she worked to turn Lyk over so that she could get a look at him. He let out a massive groan when she flipped him, and Ally regretted moving him, not wanting to hurt him any worse.
She peered into his helmet. Lyk’s eyes were closed, his breathing shallow. His skin was paler than she’d ever seen it. Fright choked her, and in that moment, she realized the truth.
I love him.
Fuck.
This wasn’t part of the plan, falling for a pirate who was also a king in disguise, but it wasn’t something she could change. Every step of the way, he’d been there for her. Even though she’d tried to push him away over and over.
He’d even outmaneuvered her with the shuttle, coming after her when he could have easily let her live or die on her own. And now he’d lost his ship because of it. And it was all her fault.
The claw finally set them down inside a small bay. Ally immediately crawled to Lyk, cradling his head in her lap. “Get me some medical help down here!” she shouted to the empty bay as the arm retracted and the bay doors closed.
As soon as the doors closed, the fans sent out bursts of air and oxygen was flooded back into the room. At last, the inner doors opened and Marek rushed in, accompanied by men in uniform. Ally struggled to get Lyk’s helmet off, and Marek took over for her, removing it gently.
Lyk’s eyes opened. “I need your cruiser.”
Marek’s eyes widened. “You’re crazy. You’ve got to heal up.”
“We both know I’ll be fine in five minutes. My first officer is getting away in my cruiser, and he’s dead set on selling information on the wormhole. I’ve got to stop him.”
Marek’s lip curled in anger. “I’ll send Zelup and Juston after him.”
“No.” Lyk pulled himself into a sitting position. “It’s my ship, and I’m getting it back.”
“Don’t be a stubborn asshole.” Marek instructed his men to help Lyk to his feet.
Ally trailed behind as they set out of the bay and started walking down a corridor that was similar to the ones on Lyk’s ship.
“It isn’t stubbornness. I know how Celdrake thinks, and I have the best chance of winning back the crew’s loyalty.”
“Why attempt to win it back after a mutiny? Hang the lot.”
Ally’s eyes widened. She’d thought Lyk was ruthless, but it seemed mercilessness ran in the family.
Lyk pulled himself away from the men who were supporting him, causing Ally to gasp. He walked over to his brother, poking him in the chest with a finger. “You might be the king of Vartik, but on my ship, I’m the law.”
“I’m not letting you go on your own.” Marek’s eyes were narrow, and Ally could tell he wasn’t delighted about how his filial reunion was shaping up. “Take Zelup. My ship might look like the belle of the ball, but the real firepower is with him.”
Lyk nodded. “Tell him to dock. Now.”
Ally inserted herself between Lyk and his brother. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You just got crushed. You can’t take off to track down your recalcitrant crew.”
“Vartik heal quickly. I’ll be fine shortly. And if I don’t stop my crew, they’ll spread news of the wormhole all over the quadrant and it won’t be long before raiders are on our doorstep again, harvesting our people to make money on the black market.”
