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I hope it’ll be an execution, because I need to know he’s never going to come after me again. Even if Kit and his triad are thrown into the cells, I’ll know they are on the ship, just waiting for the chance to break out and take me.

They think I am their Fated Mate. I shudder at the thought. If I was Bonded to those three animals, I’d kill myself.

Garrick shakes his head. “It won’t be pretty.”

I cross my arms. “I don’t care. I need to see that Captain Aelon gives justice, and not just spankings. He’s a horny bastard. I don’t trust him to mete out a fair punishment.”

Garrick grits his teeth. “Aelon is flawed, but he’s got honor. If you want to see, then come. Don’t go farther than ten feet away from us at any time. Understand?”

I’m about to argue. To tell him that no man tells me what I can and can’t do.

Instead, I just don’t. I feel more relaxed being with them.

Plus, if I protest, it’ll make them suspicious. This way they keep their guard down. Yeah, that’s the reason I won’t tell him to go fuck himself for thinking he can control me.

Garrick cocks his head at the doors, and his two battle-brothers lead the way, taking the medical kit with them. We turn a corner and I see another triad walking the same way as us.

“Are they…”

“The judgment will be swift. All crew not on duty will be watching.” Garrick’s voice is iron. We walk down the hallway, stopping for a moment at a medical room where Markrin drops off the med kit. Then we keep going. Other Aurelians are flocking towards the mess hall, a grim procession to watch justice be done.

I don’t like being around Aurelians. Only Garrick’s triad makes me feel calm. The others make my skin crawl, and I shudder as I see another triad stomping their way towards us.

Garrick steps forward, getting closer to me, and I hurry behind Markrin and Tar’ank, stepping close to their huge, broad backs. They encircle me, and for the first time since running away from the Toads, I feel safe.

I might still be trapped on an alien warship with little hope of escape, but these three have pledged to protect me.

And nothing more. I can’t let them do anything else.

I suddenly remember Nami.

If Garrick and his men find out I’m not their Fated Mate, they’ll stop caring for me instantly. It’s just their nature. Garrick might be a good, honorable Aurelian—but he’s still an Aurelian.

No matter how much I ache for them, I can’t surrender to them.

No matter how much my body instinctively trusts them, I must be smarter than that. I know what happens to foolish women who fall for Aurelians. I know how it ends.

We walk towards the mess hall, and I have to almost jog to keep up with the Aurelians’ long legs. Garrick growls at a triad that walks too near, and they keep their distance. The huge steel doors of the mess hall open and Garrick leads me to the wall, where I keep my back against it with the triad forming a half-ring around me, their huge bodies blocking out the masses of Aurelian warriors.

In the center of the room, on the raised dais where Tasha took her punishment, are the three animals of Kit’s triad.

They’re waiting for judgement, but they have no fear.

7

Sawoot

The three of them are on their knees, handcuffed, and each has two Aurelians behind them holding them under their arms, pressing them down. A wild triad can do a lot of damage with just their legs, and the crew is taking no chances.

Kit looks over at me. There’s pure hate in his eyes. Garrick’s hand flickers towards his Orb-Blade, eager to draw and quench the weapon in Kit’s blood.

“Ignore them. They’re worthless,” I say, loud enough so Kit can hear. Aelon’s crew give me hard, searching looks, as if they are surprised a human would stand up to an Aurelian triad.

Kit’s eyes narrow into a hard glare, but he can’t do anything while his hands are cuffed behind his back and Garrick’s triad protects me.

For once, I don’t feel helpless.

Garrick and his triad don’t make me feel small. They make me feel strong. Their protection bolsters me.