Page 107

“I’m driving.”

A laugh – ninety percent from stress alone, bursts out of my lips. I realize that Aelon’s got Sawoot’s way of dealing with stressful situations – wit, and dry humor.

“Gods, Aelon,” I shake my head, “you almost gave me a heart-attack.”

He shakes his head in disbelief, like he can’t believe I’m real.

“If I can’t make your heart skip a beat or two, there’s no reason to exist. Now, why don’t you tell your little friend to come down. She should give Garrick a kiss before he pilots out with the Orbs. Poor guy wasruinedby her, you know.”

The doors of the Reaver open before I can even tell her, and Sawoot hits the ground running. She rushes past me.

Summoned by Vinicus and Iunia, Garrick and his triad are jogging into the loading bay, followed by three more triads lugging the stolen Orbs behind them.

Garrick staggers to a halt, and his eyes widen as he sees Sawoot standing there. I forget that the last time he’d seen her, she’d just betrayed him and locked him in her bedchamber.

There’s no anger or resentment, however. Sawoot jumps into Garrick’s arms, kissing him, and he kisses her furiously back.

I don’t know what she’s saying as their lips smack together, but I can see in her body language. She’s begging Garrick not to transport the Orbs. It will be a dangerous job, and he and his triad will be the second closest to the Mothership behind our own ship.

Garrick eventually lowers Sawoot to the deck, as more Aurelians stream past, loading the Orbs into a second Reaver.

“Sawoot,” Garrick purrs, “whether you are Bonded to me or not, I want you – but I cannot shame myself by refusing this assignment. I have served Aelon for two-hundred years because he’s an honorable man. I will not stop now. Imustplay my part.”

Garrick – the big, bloody idiot. I hope those twodoturn out to be Bonded, because Sawoot and him have the same dumb, oblivious courage.

Sawoot listens to this and crosses her arms. “Garrick, if you go, I’m going with you. Just like Aelon and Tasha. Either you take me in your ship, or I’m getting into a Reaver and following right along behind you. You justtryto stop me.”

The poor, gallant man. He’s never dealt with a firebrand like Sawoot before. She’s not the type to bow down to any man, and I’ve seen her turn would-be alphas into panting puppies eating from her hand before. Garrick doesn’t stand a chance.

He looks down at her. His eyes are blank and grey, like all unBonded Aurelians, but there’s something else in his gaze. There’s caring, longing, and a desperateneed.

Garrick gently runs his fingers against Sawoot’s cheek, and I feel like I’m witnessing something too intimate for such a public setting.

“Sawoot, I don’t know if you’re my Fated Mate or not – and I don’t care. I’ve never bothered with a harem, like the Aurelians on Colossus. I’ve never found a woman worthy of me before, and I haven’t chased every female I’ve seen just in case they’re my mate.”

He takes Sawoot’s hand gently.

“It’s not ego to say that – it’s a fact. If you’d accompany my triad on this mission, we’d be proud to fight by your side. You’re a woman of honor, and I’d never be capable of loving one without it.”

Love.

GarricklovesSawoot. After so little time, is that even possible?

Maybe. I mean, the Aurelians just seem toknow.I’ve felt adoration and need from my triad, but I don’t know if my Aurelians even know the meaning oflove.

It doesn’t matter, though. If we survive today? We’ll have plenty of time to figure everything out.

But for once – and I never thought I’d say this – my situation with Aelon, Vinicus and Iunia is simple.

When it comes to Sawoot and Garrick – can an Aurelian and a human find true lovewithoutthe Bond? If it’s possible, Sawoot would certainly be the one to find it.

She and I seem to be approaching our relationships with Aurelians in opposite directions. She’s found love, but not the Bond. I’ve found the Bond, and I just hope to find love at the end of all this.

I know I’m risking myself, and I’m risking my crew – but it’s the right thing to do. For once, I see Aelon’s perspective, just as he sees mine. He has come to understand that reckless vengeance and bloodshed is a life without a future. I’ve come to learn that there’s no point in having a future if you sacrifice your integrity to get it.

Sawoot, on the other hand – there’s no way to stop Sawoot from following her own path with Garrick and his triad. She’s a force of nature, like a solar flare. All you can do is get out of her way.

I turn to the leader of my triad one more time.