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Kit, Gaul, and Anton will be shot out of the airlock – still dressed in their military uniforms, and saluted as fallen brothers rather than sentenced criminals.

It will be a grisly sight – to watch them stiffen into ice as they shoot off into space, without their heads attached to their corpses.

Their heads themselves will be cremated – the ashes throw out alongside their corpses. It’s gruesome, but honorable – and it’s the best I can do for these ill-fated three.

With a nod, I turn and I make my way out of the mess hall. My triad follows along behind me.

My heart is heavy. The balance of this ship is now in disorder. The chain of command is twisted. My own men are doubting my actions and motivations, and as long as Tasha remains on board, that situation will only get worse.

I stomp onward, lost in thought – and I’m almost at my chambers when I hearherbehind me.

“Wait!” Yells Tasha.

I turn and see her at the end of the hallway. She’s following me – flanked by Sawoot and Garrick’s triad.

I wearily acknowledge her: “Yes?”

“I need to speak with you. Alone.”

That’s not what I was expecting. The anger in her eyes is clear – but now she wants to be alone with me?

I can’t get a read on her.

If she’s my mate, I’ll need to know how to manage her – because otherwise, she’ll be managingme.

8

Tasha

Imust warn Captain Aelon of the incoming Toad attack.

If I don’t, it’ll be my fault – and it’ll be my fault that my own crew will be collateral damage in the firefight that follows.

Don’t get me wrong - I still resent Aelon for letting Sawoot be put in danger, but that resentment is a mirror of my anger at myself. It was myownlack of leadership that stopped Sawoot from being safe. I’m her captain, and the responsibility for her safety starts and ends with me. If those animals had raped her, it would have beenmyfault.

I don’t want to leave Sawoot when she’s vulnerable, but I trust the Aurelians who saved her. Garrick and his battle brothers don’t have the same primal hunger in their eyes as many of the other Aurelians on board The Instigator. They look at Sawoot and I with a protective edge to their expression.

Captain Aelon towers over me. For a moment, he’s silent – and then he nods.

“Very well.”

I steel myself for the confrontation that’s about to occur. I’ve been telling myself that the only reason I want to talk to Aelon is to warn him of the Toad attack I’m now convinced is coming...

…but that’s a lie. I evenknowthat’s a lie, and yet I keep repeating it to myself.

The truth is – Ineedto know why Captain Aelon is riskingeverythingfor me.

His crew looks like they’re on the verge of mutiny because of his punishment of the men who tried to rape Sawoot. There’s clear and festering resentment of Aelon and his triad for hording time and attention with me. My ass might still be burning from the punishment Aelon inflicted on me, and my pride and my body might have suffered beneath the dominion of this Aurelian commander, but it’s clear that he’s given me much, much more leeway than any normal Aurelian would tolerate.

Ihaveto know what is drawing Aelon to me so fiercely. He hasn’t even looked at Sawoot, who is objectively far prettier than me, so Ineedto know his motivations.

Does he even know his own motivations? Other than his need to fight and fuck?

His triad wordlessly leaves Aelon’s side. Iunia and Vinicus glance at me as they walk past, and the hallway feels very small as the giants lumber by me.

I give Sawoot one last reassuring touch on the shoulder. She smiles weakly at me, wordlessly telling me it’s okay to leave her, and then she’s gone too; escorted by Garrick and his triad.

I’m now alone with Captain Aelon.