Talvax was facing the wrath of the Cohort and Council of Seekers alike. Not only that, she was separated from Urgg. It might have been by her own decision, but she was suffering by being away from her mate. She was reading every report, as well as her duties, and she was fighting against the virus, even though she wasn’t the best engineer.
However, I still hated her, and I hated that I hated her. This whole situation was horrible. All I wanted was for it to end.
“I need him,” I confessed, revealing more than I usually felt comfortable to do.
“That’s rather obvious.” Vorjyn continued to drink, watching me pace.
“But he doesn’t want me to use my position.”
Vorjyn finally moved. “Shockingly, I’m with Wyn in that regard.”
I faced him, eyebrows raised and mouth hanging open.
“I agree. It’s weird. I dislike it.” He stood in front of me. “Wyn must stand on his own feet if he is to measure up to you.”
“He’s already my equal. He’s better than me.”
“A romantic notion, to be sure, but society will not care.”
I closed my eyes.
“Let him do this. He made it. He can destroy it. Let people marvel at howamazinghe is and all that nonsense. Yes, he will suffer. Yes, you will suffer. But once you are together, you’ll be stronger. And more importantly, you’ll have honored his wishes and proven you’re to be trusted.”
He was right, but I didn’t want to listen. However, I would, as much as it pained me.
Chapter 50
Not enough.
The hour was late, but the time hardly mattered. I didn’t work on a normal schedule anymore, nor did I have a duty shift. All I had to do was forge onward on this star-begotten virus. My eyes closed as I rubbed my temples slowly. My head throbbed, and my eyes burned with exhaustion. Every movement was stiff and contained an ache. But none of it compared to the hollow agony in my soul. Monqilcolnen. He was the center of it. I missed him so fiercely it was as if I couldn’t breathe.
One moment. One instant. That was all I’d allow myself.
I switched from the code readouts to an image of Monqilcolnen. I hadn’t taken any of him or of us together. The thought had never crossed my mind, not once. I’d been toohappy being with him, and now… I sorely regretted it. All I had was Monqilcolnen’s official navy image, but it was better than nothing. A small smile pulled at the corner of my mouth as I stared at him, tracing his face with the tip of my claw. This wasn’t enough, not by any means.
However, it was all I had. At the moment. But as soon as I severed the tie between theAdmiral Venand NAID’s main hub, I would be able to see him again. I would be right by Monqilcolnen’s side once more when I’d fixed the issue.
A shiver went down my spine. Hopefully before the silence got to me. I looked around at the dark, empty cargo bay. The quiet had already affected me. It was digging into me like claws, the marks a little deeper every day.
No. I could hold out longer.
I shook off the morose cloud weighing down on me. Work needed to be done, and I was the one to do it. No else could, or at least, they hadn’t been able to yet. I took a deep breath and dove back in. My virus was fighting against breaking the tie, as I’d programmed it to. The thought behind it was to not allow an enemy’s AI to save itself. No. My kill code was meant to attack the source of the AI, not the individual ships or bases.
I’d done my work too well. This was the first time my brain had failed me, though to call it a failure was perhaps too extreme.
My fingers flowed over the screen as I inputted the new algorithm I’d created. Once it started its work, I closed my eyes and rolled my neck. A twinge went down my spine, and I flinched when my wings fought to escape. It had been far too long since I’d released them; however, I couldn’t be bothered right now. I wanted to keep doing what I was doing—moving toward Monqilcolnen.
Once the algorithm had a moment to work, I looked at my screen again, and a smile burst forward. “Yes,” I breathed, headfalling back and eyes closing as tears burned my eyes. “Finally. I didn’t think it possible.”
I looked at my screen again to make sure I hadn’t imagined it, and no, I had not. It was there. Bright as the sun, as clear as the stars, and as pure as the Crystal. I had severed the tie between theAdmiral Venand NAID’s hub. I’d done it. I’d taken the first step in breaking what I’d created, protecting the Drakcol Empire, and repairing all the damage I’d done.
“My Monqilcolnen,” I whispered into the darkness. “My Star. I’m coming.”
With a groan, I forced myself to my feet. My muscles creaked and cracks went down my spine. Once I straightened, my knees joined in. I stretched, trying to rid myself of the ache. But it would all be fine now. I’d be able to sneak into bed with Monqilcolnen and snuggle against him, though I imagined once he realized I was in bed, we wouldn’t only cuddle.
Grinning, I ducked my head and smoothed my wrinkled uniform. I frowned, clawing at the stain from lunch. When had my uniform gotten into such a state? Normally, I was fastidious about it. I would have to put something clean on before I saw Monqilcolnen. My brow wrinkled as I looked at my dull braid. It wasn’t clean or oiled. Maybe I should clean myself first as well? That was probably a good idea. I wanted to smell nice when I saw him after our separation.
But first, Captain Talvax. She would want to know of this development immediately, and I needed her permission to return to Monqilcolnen’s side—where I belonged.
