Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

She pressed her face to his neck, breathing in his warm skin. “I’m so glad you’re with me. You sacrificed your own freedom when you put that dura-binding on us. You could’ve been back on Oron, safe—”

“Being with you, protecting you, that’s the most important thing in my life.”

She kissed him. “I love you, Thorsten.”

He drew in a ragged breath, and he started to speak. She pressed her fingers to his lips.

“Don’t say anything.”

“I’m not and will never be good enough for you.” She felt him shake his head. “And I am not a man comfortable with discussing my…feelings. Especially ones I’ve spent a lifetime denying.”

“Last night you were perfect for me.” She rubbed against him. “I decide who’s right for me, not you.”

Muffled noises came from above.

“Shh,” he said.

They sat there like statues, hardly daring to breathe, and her pulse pounded wildly. She gripped Sten’s wrists, and prayed their new Ti-Lore friends were okay.

It felt like forever, but finally, she heard noises above them, and the trap door opened.

For a horrible second, she wondered if the Gek’Dragar had found them.

Azulon’s serious face looked down. “It is safe.” He helped them out.

“Is everyone okay?” she asked.

The man sighed. “It was just the usual threats. They’re searching for you.” His face darkened. “They offered a large reward of food and goods to turn you in. My people are honorable, but many of the villages have little food, and people are starving. I can’t guarantee your safety forever.”

“I understand,” Carys said. She could hardly blame someone for wanting to feed their family.

Sten looked grim. “I’ll get to work on the comm unit.”

They moved back to the hut they’d slept in, and Sten spread the components out on the table. Azulon brought him some tools. There was a crease in his brow as he sat down and got to work.

“Knightqueen?”

She dragged her gaze off Sten and looked at Azulon. “Yes?”

“Our scout who warned us of the Gek’Dragar has brought disturbing news.”

He looked so serious, and her belly tightened into knots. “What is it?”

“He spied on a group of Gek’Dragar. One was very important. A commander. They were laughing and talking of their impending victory against the Oronis.”

Dread filled her. “Go on.”

“We knew that they’ve been experimenting with the plorion, the mining fluid we developed.”

Oh, no. “And?”

“They’ve used it to create a weapon. A terrible weapon.”

“What?” Sten barked.

“We questioned a Gek’Dragar we captured,” Carys said. “He mentioned a weapon that would consume us.”

Azulon nodded. “The scout said they call it the Blue Death. They have altered the plorion. My scout wasn’t clear on all the details, but he believes they’ve made an airborne variant.” There was deep regret on his face. “And…the first target is Oron.”