“Why must I do this, sister?” Idris growled. His tail flicked back and forth, reflecting his irritation.
“Because you are fully capable of playing the role of diplomat and working out the peace talks with the humans.” Ushyaz’s stern tone left no room for argument. Her golden-slitted eyes filled with mirth as her lips curled in a sly smirk. “Plus, my reports state that you are still grounded from your last time out.”
A silent hiss escaped his lips as he shot his older sister a glare.
They both knew that he could take another’s fighter ship while she ran the negotiations. Just like him, she would rather battle amongst the stars than over a table.
He was fully aware why she was having him stay behind while she took the fleet to the front lines. Idris was the youngest out of five, and she was gently pulling rank on him, knowing the reason behind his request to be sent to war against the humans.
Idris was annoyed and tired of all the unmated females who propositioned him into bonding, even though he wasn’t needed to preserve the royal line. Not yet, at least. His father, the Sovereign, was defending their home planet Dzenshju and protecting its star system. His mother, the Overseer, kept resources flowing to the war front and ensured the severely injured soldiers who traveled back with supply transports were treated well.
It didn’t matter that he wasn’t the next in line to rule; unmated females only cared about gaining connections to the royal line. A few even offered to bear his offspring with only monetary support from his end. They were desperate to climb the social ladder in hopes of a better future in times of war. Even during his free time, he couldn’t find a moment of peace without someone interrupting him.
Idris pleaded with Ushyaz to convince their father to allow him to join her. Heowedher his life. If this was how she wanted him to repay her, so be it. He was fully capable of handling the peace talks and preventing history from repeating itself.
He would not allow the humans to stage another self-destruction and frame them for it.
“You are lucky—mother wanted me to follow her footsteps. She tried to train me as an assistant to the next Overseer, but we both know how that went.” Crossing his arms, he sighed. “The engineers report that it will be some time before I am able to use my starstorm again. You’re the one who asked us to disable the human ships in hopes of getting into their good graces—I didn’t think I would be the one targeted.”
“It is not often someone has bested you in star battle.” She crossed her arms, mimicking him as her questioning gaze searched his. “Should I be worried?”
“About what?”
“There have been so many losses.” Her voice softened. “I don’t want to lose you, too.”
Idris pulled her closer, unable to handle the sudden vulnerability in his sister’s voice and wrapped his arms around her. Gently, he placed his forehead to hers, sending comfort as he lightly tapped their horns together.
Ushyaz was the perfect example of a female warrior, even without the princess title. She was a determined and strong-willed leader. Idris knew that behind her stony emotionless mask, she hid doubts andfeelingsthat only he got to see.
Idris could tell that something worried her. It was safe to assume that the length of the war had finally gotten to her, just like it had to her soldiers. Not that she would let them see that. The next few days would determine the future of the war—and whether the Daextru finally had a chance at peace.
“We both know that I am fully capable of defending myself, but if it gives you comfort, I will keep Erlyn beside me at all times.”
Ushyaz pulled away, and Idris allowed her. She placed her hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “Be safe, brother.”
“I believe I should be the one telling you that,” he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “May the Stars shine upon you.”
“May the Fates guide you.”
Ushyaz released her grip and stepped away. She shot a glance behind him, where his assistant Erlyn waited for him at a respectful distance, and nodded. She turned and exited the hangar’s viewing room, head held high as her silver tail swayed with each step.
Idris stepped to the window and watched as she elegantly jumped into her custom starstorm fighter. Most of the fleet was already in formation, waiting for her within viewing range of the starbase.
He ignored Erlyn stepping beside him as he watched his sister’s ship take off. They were involved in a war with two fronts, and any moment could be their last one together.
As soon as her ship joined the others, they blinked out of existence, warp jumping to the front line.
“She will befine,” Erlyn assured. “If you do your part, we can turn the tides of the war and finally have peace.”
“You make it sound as if it is that simple.” Idris crossed his arms, not willing to pull his gaze away from the fleet’s last location. “I have to convince the humans first.”
“Which you are fully capable of.”
“That may be true.” Idris turned toward his assistant. “But we both know how unpredictable they can be.”
“Even so, we can’t continue this war. We have wasted too much time, lost too many lives and resources fighting two different fronts. Something needs to be done.”
“I agree with you, which is one of the reasons I am here.” He shot one last glance at his broken ship, sitting in the engineering section of the hangar bay. “I just wish I could fight alongside her, instead of being stuckhere.”
