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She nodded, her eyes filling with tears. He rubbed Nadzia’s back and she flinched when his hand smoothed over a large knot.

“But you aren’t fine.” He frowned in concern.

“It’s okay. The shell kept me safe,” she whispered against his chest.

His eyes widened in horror. “This happened while you were wearing the combat shell!”

“Pardon me, Premiere Servant, but those vasta carried breach ordnances,” the older male who brought her, Scrain, commented as he joined them.

“A breach!” Aculus’ stomach dropped.

Those arms were made specifically to rip into a shell. An artificial combat shell could withstand the pulse but it only deadened the worst of the force. An Osivoire’s natural shell did the rest. Except Nadzia didn’t have that added layer of protection beneath.

She could’ve died.He released a feral growl as his anger at the bastards boiled over.

“Premiere Servant?!” Scrain said, a note of surprise threading his voice.

“Aculus, your true colors are showing.” Nadzia pulled her hand away from his chest.

“Sorry,” he apologized for exposing his quick as his shell quickly slid back into place. “I don’t have perfect control over it yet.”

“And you may never. They’re not called our weakness for nothing,” Scrain kindly replied rather than making him feel embarrassed for his impropriety.

“Thank you…” he began to say to the male.

“So, it’s true. Thehumanis your weakness,” Axilla interrupted as she entered the hangar.

As with many things she refused to believe him until she saw it for herself. He pulled Nadzia’s head against his chest and hid his face in her hair, not because he was ashamed, but because her scent soothed him. It also muffled more words that would go unheeded by Axilla and shouldn’t be said in front of Scrain.

“Conclave.” Scrain bowed his head to Axilla and the others who’d joined her.

“Welcome. We extend our deep appreciation that you’ve safely returned our guest.” Tellar approached Scrain, his fist pressed to his chest.

“Yes. Scrain, I can’t begin to express my thanks,” Aculus said, remembering his manners.

But words hardly sufficed. The old male had brought his weakness safely home. Nothing could repay him for that.

“I’m honored to fulfil my duty to the Paladin once again. That’s sufficient thanks.” Scrain nodded. “It was my pleasure to meet you. I’m glad you are well, Matron Nadzia.” Scrain bowed to Nadzia.

Nadzia pulled away from him and went to Scrain. “My people show appreciation like this.” She hugged the male. “Thank you, Scrain, you have my gratitude and I am in your debt.”

He was jealous for a fraction of a moment and a bit angry that his weakness had to depend on a stranger instead of him. That selfish emotion swiftly fled when he noticed the expression in the old guardsman’s eyes. He could’ve offered Scrain anything and yet it wouldn’t have amounted to what Nadzia just did. Such tenderness was rarely expressed by the Conclave.

“Well, um, I better take my leave before my conclave starts to worry,” Scrain said after a moment.

“Of course. My apologies for this indecorous reception. We’ve had quite a day,” Axilla replied, while eyeing Nadzia.

Axilla was out of line. He opened his mouth, but one look from Nadzia said she didn’t need or require he defend her, and he snapped his mouth shut.

“I hate to occupy more of your time, Scrain, but I think we still need your help.” Nadzia smiled as she released the old guardsman.

“I think the Paladin can handle things from here,” Axilla informed her.

“I beg to differ,” Nadzia countered Axilla. “The people who took me were actually after Aculus, and I can’t identify what species they were.”

Besides being livid Nadzia was caught up in whatever plot was afoot, he wasn’t shocked by this news. He was more impressed by how Nadzia was handling Axilla. Where he’d grown jaded dealing with his matron, Nadzia wasn’t angry or contrary, just matter of fact. He didn’t think he could love her anymore but he did.

Nadzia