Chapter 19
Seeran:
The traitor was slow to awake. He knew his fate and did anything to avoid it, dragging out his worthless life for a few more moments.
Except his worthless life saved Mia and Hazel. The females foolishly went to the brig and inserted themselves into a dangerous situation. The traitor’s death had been a certainty but now could be spared, depending on the warlord’s mood.
Seeran stood back as Paax entered the medical bay. The warlord gave Seeran and the rest of the staff a passing glance. A frown rested on his face and every step was heavy, deliberate and annoyed at being summoned. He did not appear to be in a pleased mood.
“What happened,” Paax said.
“This one was left in the brig,” Seeran said.
“But he did not remain in the brig. Explain.”
Technically Cen never left the brig, just the detainment cell but Seeran saw little point in picking over the finer details with the surly warlord.
“The barrier must have fallen in a power outage,” Seeran said. “He created a barricade and held the Suhlik at bay.”
“With the females present.”
Seeran raised his chin and remained silent.
“Is that how it is? If the females were foolish enough to dash into battle, they are not warriors. I do not expect a warriors judgment from them.”
“I could not say, sir.”
Paax sighed, the heavy sound of a male who wanted to go home to his family. “I see. Let me speak to the females.”
Other warriors escorted in Hazel and the traitor’s female, who still cradled her injured hand, wrapped in thick gauze. His mate’s eyes light up with delight when she saw him. Seeran growled a warning at the male who held his mate by the arm, like she was a criminal. No male should touch his mate. Ever.
“Relax, big guy,” she said. “I’m fine.”
“That is not the point,” Seeran said, turning to the warrior. “Do not touch my mate!”
“Enough!” Paax’s voice filled the medical bay. Every warrior and the two human nurses paused. “Explain your actions. Now.”
Seeran watched helplessly as the warrior shoved his mate toward the warlord. He saved her once today, charging into a room filled with Suhlik soldiers and striking wildly. Only the star’s good fortune cleared that room.
He could not save her twice.
Hazel:
“It was me,” Mia said, lifting her chin. “Hazel had nothing to do with it.”
Seeran knew Hazel’s access code had something to do with it.
“I wanted to see my husband, before you murdered him!” She spat out the words.
Paax regarded the female with hooded eyes. Finally, he turned to Hazel. “You let this female convince you to wander about a battle cruiser in the midst of a battle, despite the instructions of your mate to remain in safety?”
“We didn’t wander,” Hazel said, realizing her mistake. It was better to say nothing than to explain. What would the warlord do for punishment? He broke Seeran’s horn. She didn’t have a horn but he could break another bone. Seeran swore that no Mahdfel male would ever harm a woman but the murderous glare in the warlord’s eyes made her question her husband’s oath.
Paax could strike them both down for their recklessness.
For the first time since Scott appeared at that tacky restaurant in Florida, fear gripped her heart. Nothing was in her control. Whatever the warlord decided, she had it coming. Seeran couldn’t save her.
“I’m sorry,” Hazel said in a small voice.
“You’re sorry.” Not a question but a statement inviting an explanation.
She raised her eyes, finding her courage. She was sorry but did the warlord expect her to beg? Grovel? “We planned to give Cen a weapon and return to our rooms, but we ran out of time.”
“And why did you feel it necessary to free my prisoner?”
Mia’s voice broke. “They would have killed him! I had to do something.”
Hazel held the warlord’s gaze. “Because he was left alone to die and that’s not right.”
Paax scratched at the base of his one remaining horn. “Cen’s crime against his clan is unforgivable. It is beyond my power to wash that away.”
Mia sobbed. Hazel moved to comfort her friend but Seeran laid a hand on her shoulder, keeping her in place.
“But he was prepared to sacrifice his life to save the lives of two reckless, foolish females. You,” he said, turning his piercing gaze to Hazel, “will have your ship access severely limited. It was an oversight to allow you so much freedom. We won’t make that mistake again.”
He turned to Cen. The male straightened his back, preparing to hear the worst.
“I’ll send you to Sangrin,” Paax said at length. “You are banished. I spare your life only for your mate’s sake. Whether another clan takes you is not my concern. Now leave.”