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Silently, his triad steps back into the line. He swallows hard and steps back as well, into the sea of faces. The other triad who volunteered look at each other strangely. Then, with bowed heads, they step back as well.

Triads start to file out of the back. The prospect of a glorious death loses its perfection.

There’s a boom as the door is kicked open to the left.

“We’ll do it.”

My hand is on my blade in a moment. It’s a voice I recognize, but it’s changed. It’s grown darker. Deeper. More animalistic.

The hum of Orb-Blades fills the room at the intrusion. “Sheathe your swords!” I bellow, and they deactivate, returning to the belts of the men.

Krazak and his triad march into the room. Their veins are bulging and contorted with green venom, their muscles near exploding from their bodies. Krazak is sweat-soaked, his black robe covered by brambles and dirt. Their eyes are no longer slate-grey, but they have not changed from Bonding their Mate. That fate can never be his, not anymore.

Their eyes are the pure, poisonous green of Scorp venom, glowing with primal rage.

Scorp blooded. That’s where they were. Somehow, when they returned, they must have been stung by a Scorp that evaded our forces…

But it doesn’t make sense. All three of them? All three survived?

“It’s impossible,”telepaths Kriz, echoing my thoughts.

Krazak grins. His white teeth seem sharper, more like fangs. “We’re dead men anyways, General Ra’al. We deserted our post. We kidnapped Lola. We’re done running from our destiny. Let us die for a purpose.”

“The woman! Where is she!” I do not forget my promise to my Mate. I stride forward, drawing my blade.

Krazak does not even motion for his own weapon, not even when I have my Orb-Blade humming at his throat. He never stops smiling.

He is wedded to death.

“She’s safe, in Ridgetown. Let us erase our memories, General Ra’al. Let us erase it all.”

I stare into those poisonous green eyes for long moments. Then I sheathe my sword.

There is no future for this man and his triad.

The only thing I can do for him is make his death have meaning.

“Clear the throne room!” I yell, and men hurry to leave.

“Report to the hangar bay.” I state my final order to Krazak.

His smile widens. “Thank you, Ra’al.” He knows I could have beheaded him here and now. He knows it is what our laws dictate.

For the sake of our centuries of war together, I cannot let his final moments be in vain. He chose his fate. He chose to kidnap a woman, to desert, knowing what would happen.

I hug him. I pull him tight against my body. “I’m sorry, Krazak.”

“We share our fate. You lost your Mate as well.”

I pull away from him, and shake my head. “No. She’s coming back now. We faked her death to protect her.”

“You always were a mastermind. Live for her. Live for her like I can’t live for my Mate.” His smile turns to a grimace, a rictus grinning at me like a skull, and he strides off towards the hangar bay.

36

Rachel

My ship rattles as it punches through the atmosphere, the Royal City growing larger below. My triad has not said a word to me. They don’t have to. They simply run their hands through my aura, gently stroking my being, exulting in the fact that I am alive.