Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

Chest tight, he watched and waited. It should be him up there risking his life, not her.

A moment later, smoke erupted from the back of the scout ship.

“Come on, Carys.”

Then he saw her. Relief punched through him. She leaped onto the top of the ship and jumped off. She somersaulted in the air, then hit the ground and rolled.

The damaged scout ship spun in a circle and flew away. More smoke poured from it. Then it careened sideways and smashed into the hillside. It exploded, a ball of flames rising into the sky.

Beside him, the boy made an excited noise and clapped his hands. He grinned at Sten.

“Yes, she’s fierce,” Sten said.

Carys ran over to them.

“Are you all right?” he barked.

“I’m fine.” She looked at the wide-eyed boy. “But that’s going to attract attention.”

“We’d better move fast.”

The boy wiggled to get down. He waved a hand at them and jogged up a path.

Carys shrugged. “Let’s follow him. He must know the area.”

They followed the boy up the hill. The path twisted and turned, and, without their small guide, they probably would’ve gotten lost.

Behind them, the sound of more ship engines filled the air.

“Hide,” Sten ordered.

They ducked under an outcrop of rocks. The three of them squeezed into the tight space, the boy wedged between them.

Then another Gek’Dragar scout ship flew slowly overhead.

The child trembled.

“It’s okay.” Carys hugged him to her. “You’re not alone.”

The boy couldn’t understand her, but it appeared her tone soothed him.

“We’ll keep you safe,” she promised.

Sten stared at the curve of her cheekbone. That was Carys, always looking out for others. Always willing to risk herself to keep others safe.

The ship finally moved on.

Sten blew out a breath. But the Gek’Dragar were here, close by, and looking for them.

He ducked out of their hiding spot. “Come on. We need to move.”

They stayed close to the cliff face as they moved farther up the hill.

Shouts echoed from somewhere in the distance. Stars, there were Gek’Dragar soldiers on the ground.

“Sten?”

“We don’t have any good cover here.” If they crested the hill, they’d be spotted.