As soon as he cut the transmission, Ember gave him a peeved glare. “You trust him?”
“With my life.” Coming from him, that was the highest testament.
“You’re sure? What if they’re the ones who led The League here? Isn’t Saf Jari the younger brother of Kyr Zemin?TheLeague prime commander?”
She had a point. “He is, but Kyr captured and tortured him because he helped their brother Maris, who is the best friend of Drake’s brother. Then Kyr had him stripped of his League rank and declared a traitor. Given that, I don’t think Saf is likely to be working with them.”
“But you said they had a spy.…”
“I did. However, Saf would be too easy a target to spot and suspect. Kyr’s more devious than that.”
Ember wasn’t so sure, but they did need to get out of here as soon as possible. So when Florian returned to the bay with her sisters, she sent him off with Kindel for the base evacuation. Just in case. The last thing she wanted was to take a chance with her child staying with her when he’d be safer with Kindel, since she and the others were planning to head for battle.
She and Bastien went with Drake.
Ember pulled up short the moment she saw the youngest Caronese prince. Unlike his brother Darling who had short red hair, Drake’s was jet black and as long as Bastien’s. He also bore that same innate regal aura undercut by strict military training that said he tolerated no fools and would sooner kick ass than kiss it. Yeah, this wasn’t a typical aristo or politician.
Drakari Cruel was no one’s puppet or pawn.
Dressed in an elite Kimmerian assassin’s uniform, he greeted Bastien like a brother. But his blue eyes glowed with suspicion as they narrowed on her.
“Ember Wyldestarrin, meet Drake Cruel.”
She had the impression that he could read her soul with that slow, probing stare. “Your Highness.”
A friendly smile lightened his dark demeanor. “Please, no formalities. I don’t want to hear that unless I’m at court, and even then it gets on my nerves.” He shut and locked his ramp, then gestured for her to follow him. “Come, my lady. Make yourself at home.”
As they headed for the flight deck, he shook his head at Bastien. “What is it with uncles? Fucking bastards, all. I’d say to kill them, but being one myself… I don’t want to die.”
“Well, I assume you’ve no intention of killing off your nephew for his throne.”
“Minsid no to that. He’s adorable. Plan to teach him everything I know to make Darling crazy. Payback’s a bitch. Besides, I had a chance to take the Caronese throne. Don’t want no part ofthat.”
She didn’t miss the sadness in Bastien’s eyes. He’d never wanted to inherit either. Especially not over the bodies of his family.
Wanting to cheer him, she quickly changed the subject. “Nice ship.”
“Thank you. Designed her myself. Kimmerian code, all the way.”
“Rather unusual occupation for a prince.”
Drake flashed her a charming grin. “We had an unusual upbringing.” He paused to touch his link. “Merksaker, here.” He listened for several minutes. “Aye, Lady DR. We can pull the rear. If you’ll send the coordinates, Saf and I will make sure no one follows.Saker Mara, out.”
“Saker Mara?” Ember asked with a frown.
“Name of my ship. It’s Caronese forOutlaw Nightmare.”
“Ah… and Merksaker?”
“Dark outlaw.” He waited for them to strap in before he launched and followed the rest of the Dread Reckoning toward their remotest outpost, where they retreated any time things got hot for them.
Once they were clear of escape velocity, Drake turned to smirk at Bastien. “When was the last time you slept?”
“Not sure.”
“No offense, it shows.” He checked his headings. “We’ve got a while. Why don’t you and Ember head to the crew quarters, shower, and take a nap. Eat. If you need a change of clothes, I’ll unlock the door to my room. Take whatever you need and don’t worry about it. My sister’s room is the last one on the left. She’s a little taller than Ember, but she should have something in there that she can change into, too. Believe me, Ana won’t miss anything. Woman has more clothes than a department store.”
“Thanks,drey.”
