Page 78 of Heartless

“It has been destroyed.”

“And the prisoners? Amalia?”

Oberon’s shoulders tensed, but he answered my questions. “She’s gone. Bastion found the report in their records.”

Oh, no. “I’m so sorry.”

The four males settled into a heavy silence, one I didn’t feel like treading upon.

I didn’t want to think about any of this right now. Them. Me. I loved them both. I did.

But Zarren was mine. Soul deep. Forever. Every cell in my body belonged to him.

If he still wanted me, after everything I’d done.

I’d used up my daily supply of courage.

I didn’t ask.

22

Willow, Battleship Zeus, Three Days Later

I was miserable, pacing in my quarters. Zarren was coming back from Prillon Prime today. At least, that’s what he’d told me. I’d barely seen him since our run-in with Nexus 5. I’d been interviewed, poked and prodded, spent some time in a ReGen pod—even though I told them I didn’t need it. I’d been asked to draw everything I’d seen inside that base, especially the room with the spinning coils and crystals. Turns out none of the Coalition scientists had any idea what the Hive were using to power that base.

I did what I could to kill time. I kept moving. If I stopped, I missed them.

Prime Nial and the war council were, apparently, not at all happy about everything that had happened, or about Zarren keeping so many secrets.

Oberon had gone to the capital as well. Kayn. Chloe. Seth. The only friend I had on this massive battleship was Warlord Razmus, who never left my side. He slept in full battle armor right outside my bedroom door.

I told him to give me a little space.

Raz informed me Zarren had threatened him with death if he did.

I rarely left my personal quarters. If the interested looks from the unmated males wasn’t deterrent enough, the whispers and wide eyes chased me away.

Turned out, Zarren Helion wasn’t just a commander, he was infamous.

I ran my palms over the front of the green dress I wore. The color matched his eyes. The gold thread? For Oberon’s. Hidden, but there.

I had to tell him, when he returned. I loved him, but I couldn’t be with him, not if it meant giving up Zarren.

A knock brought me to my feet.

Raz moved before I could. “Allow me, my lady.”

I grinned. Like I had a choice in the matter. After the week I’d had, I didn’t mind the extra protection, but I still had a blaster strapped to my thigh, under my skirt.

I waited for Raz to return.

Zarren appeared instead.

I didn’t think, I ran for him. Leaped into his arms, sure he would catch me.

He held me. I breathed him in. “You’re back.”

“Did you miss me?” Was that teasing tone coming frommy commander?