Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

“No,” she breathed. If that mining fluid was made more virulent and airborne, just one breath of it would be lethal.

Her people were at risk. Billions of lives.

“I wish now that my people never created that fluid.” Azulon shook his head violently. “It has brought us nothing but heartache.”

She touched his hand. “It is not your people’s fault. The blame lies with the Gek’Dragar. They twist and destroy everything they touch. I will stop them. My knights will stop them, and I promise to help free Ti-Lore as well.”

“The Blue Death could destroy your world,” the Ti-Lore said.

“My knights and I will never let that happen.” She squeezed his hand. “I formally accept the Ti-Lore as allies of the Oronis. Everything you’ve done for us will help me defeat the Gek’Dragar.”

Azulon bowed his head. “You do me and my people a great honor, Knightqueen.”

Sten stood. “I got the comm unit working.”

She whirled, and her pulse leapt at the sight of lights blinking on the comm unit.

They could send a message.

Sten watched Carys pace. Her movements were jerky, and he hated seeing her upset.

She spun. “Anything?”

“Not yet.” He rose and rested his hands on her shoulders. She was so tense. “We only just sent the message ten minutes ago. It could take time to reach any Oronis or our allies.”

But they both knew no one might get it. Ti-Lore had to be deep in Gek’Dragar space. He massaged her shoulders. The message was encoded in such a way that only the Oronis could decrypt it.

If the Gek’Dragar intercepted it, it would only be gibberish.

But to get help, it needed to reach their knights.

“We have to be patient.”

She made a sound, whirled, and paced across the hut. “How? The Gek’Dragar have a deadly weapon, Sten. That mining fluid ate away at the mountains here and twisted the animals. Now, whatever they’ve done to make it even more toxic, they’re going to unleash it on Oron.” Her voice broke.

He hugged her to his chest.

“I have to stop them.” She clutched at him.

“You’re not alone, Carys. We’ll stop them, along with your entire Knightforce.”

She held on to him, then she leaned up and kissed him.

He hauled her close. He’d never get enough of her.

He knew they needed to escape and stop the Gek’Dragar, but a part of him didn’t want to leave. Here, on Ti-Lore, she was his. He knew that when they left, everything would change.

Once again, she would be the knightqueen.

He boosted her up and she slid her legs around his waist.

“Sten.” She cupped his stubbled cheeks.

Emotion welled in his chest. He needed to tell her how he felt. “Carys, I—”

There was a whoosh of sound overhead. He tensed. Another Gek’Dragar patrol?

He heard the Ti-Lore shouting.