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He’s tense – ready to spring to battle – but Marcel lays his hand gently on Lucius’s arm, steadying him. They briefly make eye-contact, and I feel his fervor cool. He won’t snap – not yet.

I turn to face my three men.

They stand over me protectively, but their faces are blank – like masks. There’s now no joy or wonder at seeing their Fated Mate – only the fear of losing her. I made them both stronger and weaker, all at once.

I know they can’t keep me safe if they’re galaxies away – running Lord Oblog’s errands. Once they’re gone, I’ll have only myself to rely on – certainly not Tessa.

That means I’ll have to be the person I used to be – the old me. I’ll have to be the woman Ling forged, enhanced with the power and strength of the Bond. I need to be the best and most focused version of myself - or I’ll doom us all.

But I’m not her yet. The strength and reassurance of my warrior triad are resurrecting her, but the old me isn’t all the way back yet.

Nevertheless, I whisper:

“I’m going to be okay.”

I try to put confidence in my voice – but I know how useless it is. Marcel, Quint, and Lucius can read the pain and worry in my aura more clearly than I can conceal it in my voice.

My triad doesn’t move. They stare down at me like statues – unflinching, with their auras battle-hardened and ready.

Finally, Marcel speaks.

“We will return. We’ll make the shipment as fast as possible.”

“Don’t draw any extra attention,” I warn them, knowing that the urgency of coming back to their Fated Mate might make them consider extra risks – risks that could put them at odds with the Aurelian Empire.

I know they want to be back with me – because I want the same. For a second, I allow myself to imagine being in their arms again – held tight and safe while the world rages all around us.

But, as long as we’re on this ship, that will never happen. We’ll never be safe.

And what happens after the next shipment?

I know Lord Oblog will never be satisfied – not with this shipment, or a thousand more. As long as he has me captive, he’ll keep the Aurelians running his sinister errands; and I know there’s nothing they’ll do if it means placing me in danger.

I’m considering this, when Marcel does something that utterly shocks me.

He leans forward and hugs me tightly.

“Aww,” comes the mocking gurgle of Lorb Oblog, calling over my shoulder. “Look how sweet they are. They are sweet, aren’t they, Qavar?”

“Touching,” answers the second Finger, emitting with a warbling laugh.

Quint hugs me next. His huge, muscular arms close around me, and his aura melts into mine. His solid bulk and warm intensity steady me.

As we hug, Lucius stares at me. Once, he’d had the same slate-grey gaze as all Aurelians. Now, his brown eyes stare back at me – flecked with red.

They’ve changed because of me. I’ve marked him for life. I marked him for eternity.

I have something for you, Lucius telepaths to me.Something that can keep you safe.

His words crash into my mind, and as I hear them, he hugs me harder – lifting me up into the air. I sink into his embrace, melting into it – wishing the moment would never end.

But when Lucius finally puts me down, it’s curiosity I feel, not regret.

I feel something cold in my palm – and I tighten my hand around it instinctively, resisting the urge to look at it, tucking it into the pockets of my pants before anyone sees…

“Come here.”

…but I was too late.