He wouldn’t answer me—wouldn’t even look at me. He really does hate me now!
She took a deep, shuttering breath and tried to keep from crying. The wound was still fresh—they had put on their “performance” for the Empress only a few hours ago. Maybe her Protector just needed time to himself—time to process everything.
She hoped that was all it was. Because if Braze was never going to talk to her again… She pushed the thought away. It was too awful to think.
I’ll give him some space, she told herself as she unfastened her harness and left the shuttle. He’ll surely be willing to talk about it later.
She hoped. Because if he wasn’t—if she’d lost him forever—it was going to shatter her heart into a million pieces, and she was never going to get over it.
32
KAITLYN
“Good work on your mission—our scientists are already analyzing the Love Vine specimen you brought back and we’re very hopeful for the results,” Commander Sylvan said, smiling at them both.
Kaitlyn tried to smile back, but Braze only nodded gravely. He still wasn’t looking at her or speaking to her, even though it had been three days since they got home from their mission. He was sitting beside her, the two of them facing Commander Sylvan, who was across from them, behind his desk, and he hadn’t said a word to her the whole time they’d been there.
“Thank you,” she said, since Braze clearly wasn’t talking. “It was, er, a difficult assignment but we’re pleased we got the Love Vine for you.”
“Yes, I gather it was very difficult.” Commander Sylvan frowned and steepled his long fingers on the desk in front of him. “In fact, it’s my understanding that the two of you wish to go your separate ways now?”
“What?” Kaitlyn couldn’t hide her surprise. She turned and stared at Braze, who was still staring straight ahead, ignoring her. “I never said anything about ‘going our separate ways,’” she said, frowning at her Protector. “Did you?”
At last Braze spoke, though he still wouldn’t look at her.
“I thought it best,” he said in his deep, rumbling voice. “I’m going back to the Elite Espionage Corps and…” His throat worked for a moment, as though he was having a hard time getting the words out. “And Commander Sylvan will find a new warrior to serve as your Protector.”
“I don’t want a new Protector!” Kaitlyn exclaimed.
“You don’t?” Commander Sylvan frowned and looked at Braze. “I thought the two of you discussed this before you spoke to me.”
“No—we haven’t discussed anything because he won’t talk to me.” Kaitlyn tried and failed to keep the frustration out of her voice. She felt completely betrayed—how could Braze—the person she trusted with her life—go behind her back and dissolve their partnership without even asking her first?
“I see.” Commander Sylvan looked troubled. “The two of you have always gotten along extremely well in the past. Am I to understand that something happened during this last mission? Something worth ending your partnership over?”
Kaitlyn opened her mouth…and closed it again. She could tell by the look in her Protector’s eyes that he didn’t want what had happened between them to come out. And no matter how angry she was with him, she wouldn’t betray him that way.
When neither of them answered, Commander Sylvan frowned.
“I think before I make a decision on this matter, the two of you had better talk.”
“We have nothing to say,” Braze growled. “With all due respect, Commander, if you won’t reassign me, I’ll leave the Mother Ship.”
Commander Sylvan’s frown deepened.
“I hope you wouldn’t make such a rash decision, Commander Braze. You’re under contract with us here at the Mother Ship. Do you really want to break your oath of service?”
Braze was silent for a long moment. At last he said,
“If you won’t reassign me, I need to leave.”
Kaitlyn felt like a black hole had opened in her heart. She wanted to ask why he was doing this—did he really hate her that much? But she couldn’t seem to get the words out. She only looked down at her hands, unable to even glance at her Protector.
“I want the two of you to talk this out,” Commander Sylvan said. “I don’t know what happened between you, but you need to speak about it. Come to my office the same time tomorrow and if you still want to split up, I’ll release you both from your partnership. In the meantime, get together and talk.” He stood, frowning at them both. “Dismissed.”
Without a word, both of them stood and left the office. They lingered outside the Commander’s office door for a moment and Kaitlyn wasn’t sure what to say.
At last she looked up at Braze, who still wouldn’t look at her. She looked at his golden eyes…his long black hair…remembered how it felt to have those strong arms wrapped around her…thought of how he’d spent hours between her legs, tasting her until she came over and over.
