Page 33

CHAPTER 33

E irik

I stand there, my arms wrapped protectively around Sasha, pulling her behind my bulk as the Imperial soldiers lift their hands in the air, kneeling on the floor. My eyes scan to their weapons, discarded to the floor and confusion battles inside my brain with incredulity. Behind me, Sasha’s small hands wrap around my bicep as she attempts to peek over my body at the soldiers, but I push her back more firmly.

The heavy tread of multiple footsteps echoes down the corridor, and I tense, ready to fight to my last breath to protect my mate.

I blink, more confused than ever as the towering figure of a Huugwor warrior emerges from the hallway, his gray skin covered in the shocking red of blood, his spikes extended into black deadly weapons. Blue eyes scan the scene, first the bodies, then Kendall’s, and finally settle on me.

“Chief Sayk?” It’s a question that is not a question. I know who the man is, but I have no idea what he’s doing here.

Chief Sayk’s massive frame stops just past the doorway as rank upon rank of Huugwor warriors pour into the throne room, their impressive height making the Imperial soldiers look like children in comparison. The Empire’s soldiers seem to shrink further, their shoulders hunching as they realize just how outmatched they are.

Chief Sayk’s spikes retreat as he lifts his commu-link to his ear. Despite the battle rage still evident in his stance, his voice remains steady, controlled when he looks back at me.

“The fortress is secured.” He jerks his chin toward the hallway and beyond, to Tartarus. “All levels are cleared.”

Before I can answer, Chancellor Ry appears beside Chief Sayk, leaning on his cane, but looking around with sober dignity at the surrendered Imperial soldiers. He walks all the way to the assembled men, most of whom do not even dare look up at him.

“Surrender immediately and you will be shown mercy. Resist and you will meet the same fate as your fallen brothers.”

Chancellor Ry waits a few seconds, then nods to Sayk. The next instant, three Huugwors move forward and begin shackling the Imperial soldiers, collecting their weapons as they go. Their movements are efficient but not cruel, enclosing their wrists with the metallic restraints with practiced ease while maintaining a watchful guard. The Empire’s forces offer no resistance, their earlier bravado replaced by shocked submission.

Sayk steps forward, his eyes set on me. “Congratulation, Eirik. The Huugwor forces have secured Tartarus. The Imperial soldiers have surrendered.”

“How? Why?” I’m too surprised to say more.

“The Elder has given the order.” Sayk’s mouth lifts in a smile and for the first time, it reaches his eyes. “Our warriors attack all settlements on Valcan as we speak. The days of the Empire’s hold on Valcan are over.”

My gaze finds Sasha, her eyes bright with understanding. This is more than a simple victory over the Empire—this is the beginning of something greater.

“The Huugwor nation rose,” I whisper, like saying the words out loud made them more real. “It finally happened.”

Blood rushes in my ears as the implications hit me. Generations of war and persecution, ended.

“The Elder planned this for years now,” Sayk continues. “We were all simply too blind to understand the long game he was playing. Right now, our warriors are freeing slaves from mines and factories all over the cities. They join in the fight almost instantly. The Empire’s forces are retreating. I’ve heard that the governor abandoned his palace and has fled the planet.”

I watch as a young Imperial soldier crawls forward, his uniform stained with blood and grime. His hands shake as he clasps them in supplication.

“Please, I had no choice. They took me from my family when I was sixteen. Said I’d bring honor to the Empire.” His voice cracks. “I never wanted to hurt anyone.”

The words strike a chord within me. How many others were forced into service, their youth stolen by Imperial propaganda? I step forward, addressing all the kneeling soldiers.

“Today marks the end of Imperial control on Valcan. Each of you faces a choice—return to your Empire or stay here as free citizens. The chains of servitude end now.”

Movement ripples through the ranks. One by one, soldiers rise to their feet, tearing off insignias and badges. The sharp sound of fabric ripping fills the chamber as uniforms are discarded, revealing the humans beneath the Empire’s facade.

The magnitude of what we’ve accomplished crashes over me. Generations of Huugwors have dreamed of this moment.

“We’re free?” Sasha’s small, musical voice calls out to me and I pull her against my chest. She fits perfectly in my arms, her strength matching my own. So different, yet somehow the same.

We follow Ry and Sayk through the hallways of the Fortress and outside. In front of us, the battle of Tartarus is at an end, only a few pockets of blaster fire remaining in the streets.

The acrid smell of battle fades, replaced by something lighter—hope, perhaps. The tension that’s lived in my muscles since I first accepted this mission finally releases. In its place, an alien sensation blooms as I hold my mate close, surrounded by the promise of peace.

I look down at Sasha, her face tilted up to meet my gaze. The sight of her bruised skin and fierce eyes sends a wave of protectiveness through me, mingled with pride at her strength. My fingers trace the curve of her jaw, memorizing every detail of this moment.

Around us, Huugwor warriors and Enforcers work together, securing prisoners and tending to the wounded. The sight of our peoples united stirs something deep in my chest, but right now, I need space to process everything with my mate.

The adrenaline still courses through my system, making my heart race. I inhale deeply, catching Sasha’s scent and imprinting it deep in my brain. Thoughts circle in my mind.

We survived. We won. She’s here with me.

Sasha’s warmth seeps where she presses against my chest. The simple contact soothes the warrior’s fury that still burns in my blood. My arms tighten around her instinctively, and I feel her mold herself to me like she could stay there forever.

“We did it,” she murmurs against my skin, her breath tickling my neck. “We saved the Huugwor. We saved Tartarus. We saved everyone.”

I turn to face Sasha, my heart heavy with what I must say. The sounds of victory celebrations echo in the distance, but right here, time seems to stand still. My fingers trace the curve of her shoulder, memorizing every detail in case this is our last moment.

“The danger is over now. I will honor our arrangement.” The words scrape my throat like shards of glass. “You can go anywhere. You’re free to leave Valcan if you want.”

My chest constricts at the thought of her walking away. Every instinct I have tells me not to do it. Not to let her go. But I won’t cage her. She deserves the freedom to choose her own path.

“I won’t hold you against your will.” My voice drops to barely a whisper, raw with emotion. “Even if my soul bleeds to let you go.”

A bright laugh bursts from her lips, startling me. The sound rings through the air like crystal chimes, pure and beautiful. Her dark eyes dance with that familiar mischief that makes me want to crush her lips with mine.

“You won’t get rid of me that easily,” she says, her chin lifted in that defiant tilt I’ve come to cherish.

She steps closer, pressing her palm against my chest. Her gaze holds mine, fierce and unwavering.

“I’m your mate. I’m right where I belong.”

I pull Sasha into my arms, my heart thundering against my ribs at her declaration.

“Are you certain?” The words escape before I can stop them, my voice rough with emotion.

Her fingers trace the ridges of my face, her touch light, barely a touch at all.

“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life,” she says. “You’re stuck with this little thief.”

A smile breaks across my face, one that I feel blossoming deep within my chest. I lean down until our foreheads touch, breathing in her scent. The simple contact sends sparks of pleasure through my system.

Her hands slide up my chest to rest over my heart. The gesture feels intimate in a completely new way. Here in this quiet moment, everything I’ve fought for crystallizes into perfect clarity.

My mate. My partner. My future.