Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

He had to protect her. He couldn’t fail her.

The Gek’Dragar lifted his mace above his head. “I will kill you, then I will kill her.”

Sten lunged forward. The Gek’Dragar brought his mace down on Sten’s sword, pinning it. But he missed the blue energy knife forming in a flash in Sten’s left hand.

Sten sliced it through a joint in the alien’s armor, right through his thigh.

It hit something vital, blood gushing.

The Gek’Dragar made a horrible sound. He dropped his mace, then fumbled.

Too late, Sten realized the alien had pulled his own knife. He rammed it into Sten’s side, right where the other Gek’Dragar had pierced his armor.

Sten grunted, and felt hot liquid drench his hip.

The Gek’Dragar stared at him, hatred in his neon-green eyes. Sten could feel the alien’s need to fight and kill.

Filled with protective fury, Sten headbutted the Gek’Dragar. Then he stabbed his knife into the enemy’s neck, deep. He pulsed energy through the weapon.

Dead, the Gek’Dragar fell backward.

Then Sten dropped to his knees. The pain was too much, blood soaking down his side.

“Sten!”

Everything wavered. Carys’ face came into view, her helmet retracting.

“You’re hurt.” She cupped his cheek.

“It’ll heal.” But it hurt badly. It took everything he had to stay conscious. “The Gek’Dragar?”

“They’re all dead.” Worry creased her face. “I hate seeing you hurt.”

He liked that. That she worried about him. “We can’t stay here. More Gek’Dragar will come.”

“I know. Catch your breath, then we’ll go.”

“I’m fine.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re so stubborn. The blood running down your side says otherwise.”

She wrapped an arm around him and then helped him up. He knew her armor would give her extra strength to lift him. Once he was on his feet, nausea spun through him.

“You’re stubborn too,” he said. “You hide it under polite smiles and cool looks, but you’re as stubborn as wesium steel.”

“And you’re as unmoving as a rock.” She looked sideways. “There’s one thing we need to do before we go.”

The pain was making it hard to concentrate. He followed her gaze and that’s when he saw one Gek’Dragar soldier tied up. He was breathing heavily and injured.

“You kept one alive.”

She nodded. “I have questions.”

She helped Sten lean against the cliff face, then she turned to the enemy.

“What are the Gek’Dragar’s plans for Oron?”

The enemy soldier just glared.