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Perversely, I’m trying to turn Aelon into thesecondtype of Aurelian – the kind that would sacrifice others for himself. It kills me to do so. It makes me feel like I’ve become something horrible. I can’t believe I’d be willing to let those miners die if it meant getting out with my three Aurelian lovers alive and safe.

Aelon steps forward towards me. He stands above me, but he doesn’t loom over me like he usually does. Right now, he’s not trying to intimidate me. He’s torn – deep in his heart, his aura shattered between honor, vengeance, love, and loss.

“Tasha… Gods, if I’d never met you, I’d already have The Instigator lying in wait for those Toad bastards on the moon. I have to make myownpath, Tasha. I’ve done it all my life. Please –leave.”

I’m so ashamed at the wetness in my eyes. I’ve spent the last three years trying to project strength and leadership. I’ve led brutish men who didn’t respect me – and I’ve led them well. I’m not used to feeling so powerless.

Hell, I’m not used tocaringabout anyone I can’t save. I’ve always been responsible for my crew – but nobody else. I knew I could keep Sawoot and Theme safe, but I can’t save Aelon, his triad, or the crew of The Instigator.

I should have warned them and left. Now, Aelon’s wasting valuable time because of me. Instead of fortifying his defensive position, his triad is speaking uselessly with me.

My presence here endangers him. It endangersthem. If I care about my triad, I need to leave.

My triad. Theyaremine, just as I am theirs. They’re linked to me for eternity. I chose the Bond – and even if I was naïve to its effects, I wasn’t naïve enough to think I wouldn’t be important to the Aurelians. Ichoseto abandon them. Ichoseto steal the benefits of the Bond, but ignore the link it forged between us.

I’ve done everything to keep my crew safe, but I’ve failed in keeping my triad safe. I’ve been so selfish. I wanted the three men to change. I wanted Aelon to choosemeover his lust for revenge and violence.

But I can see it in his eyes – what he’s chosen over me. There’s no anger in him. He’s passionless in his need to kill the Toads – but relentless.

He can’t choose me over his honor. He can’t choose me over his need to protect the lives of innocents.

A shudder runs down my body as I look up at my honorable mate, and I suddenly see him clearly – as if for the first time.

If he ran away with me – which I know he’d never do - I’d probably never be able to live with myself. I’d have blood on my hands for thousands of years. You can’t take back something like that.

I suddenly realize that if I demand the Aurelians recognize my independence and grant me my freedom, I must do the same for them.

“Okay, then,” I growl. “We stay. We fight. At least let me pilot a Reaver. I can help in the battle.”

If my triad is going to die, I’m going to be fighting there right alongside them. I’m going to fight to the very end for the sake of our future – even if our future is a cold, unmarked grave in space.

Iunia steps forward. “Aelon. We can’t run. Not with the miners we must protect.”

Aelon turns to him. “You don’t think I know that?”

He nods. “I do know that – but I also know how much it pains you. How about this? Give the Toads ten Orbs. They’ll likely kill us and take all of them if we don’t bargain with them, but Tasha is right. They’re cowards. They already have a mothership and a fleet. They could kill plenty of innocents without our Orbs.”

Aelon’s face hardens. Iunia continues.

“Ten Orbs is reasonable. It’s a fortune, but ultimately giving them to the Toads will result in less death and destruction than if we try to fight them. We can fly a single Reaver out to within sub-communication range, so their blockers don’t stop the message, and then we can make them the offer.”

Ten Orbs.

Ten Orbs that would be used for killing and mayhem. A Toad who’d be willing to attack a mining camp is willing to do far worse…

But if the Toads destroy The Instigator, they’ll geteverything. They’ll kill us all, take the Orbs as they float in space amid the wreckage of The Instigator, and then destroy the mining colonies regardless.

This bargain with the devil might be the only way to keep the miners safe. Ten Orbs might be enough to convince the Toads that it’s not worth risking their lives to fight Aelon and his battalion.

As Aelon claimed – Toads are motivated by greed and cowardice. If you can appeal to both, you can achieve victory without firing a single blast.

Aelon considers Iunia’s words. He winces, and I know his answer before he can say it…

“Very well.”

Then, he turns to me. His eyes are clear. His aura changes. It becomes more protective, and less bloodthirsty. In fact, Aelon suddenly becomes so possessive and caring that he loses that passionless veneer of leadership that he’s always worn before a battle.

The towering Aurelian steps in closer, putting his huge hand on my shoulder.