Part 40 (1/2)
”No. I want to understand why you have saved my life, especially after what I did to you earlier. I humiliated you in front of your family.”
Fain shrugged. ”I've had worse. Trust me. Your little hissy fit doesn't even register on my scale of degradations. Like I said, I owe you more good than bad.”
”You still feel that way, even after I made you trade your freedom for the Jaswinders'?”
Fain snorted bitterly at the reminder. ”Yeah, okay. That one sticks in the craw a bit. Especially over the last few days of you peac.o.c.king around here and lording it over me. I have to say the urge to slam your head into something hard has crossed my mind... a few thousand times an hour.”
Ven laughed. ”Ever brutally honest. It's what I value most about you.” He pulled out his link and scrolled through it. ”I think I owe it to you to show you this.”
Fain frowned at the encrypted message that had Galene's command badging on it. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he didn't care for the idea of his female conversing with another male.
Until he read it.
My Lord Porturnum, I know this is a bit forward of me, and for that I beg your extreme indulgence. I've been doing some research into Tavalian customs and contracts while I've been here, and there is one matter that I should like to inquire about. While a lot of information isn't readily available, it is my understanding that each high admiral holds a t.i.the or contract with the pilots who fly under them that binds that pilot to their Nation. The t.i.the is usually for the value of the s.h.i.+p, and in the case of a slave, for the value of the individual as well, and any special training or other undue expense they've incurred. I know that Commander Fain Hauk owes a t.i.the to you and I should like to pay it off on his behalf and buy his freedom or t.i.the from you. Would this be possible?
Thank you for your time. I look forward to your prompt response on this matter.
Galene of the Winged Blood Clan of Batur LT Commander, Alliance Command Fain stared in stunned awe of those words. Galene had tried to buy his freedom? He couldn't believe it.
Venik took the link from his hand. ”I was a bit rude to your Ger Tarra in response to her request, and I apologize to you both. You're right. I'm an a.s.shole. I'm selfish. Reactionary. I do what I have to, to get the job done. As a rule, I don't care who or what I have to step on to get my way. But, you have been a good friend to me. A loyal servant even when I didn't deserve it.”
Fain wasn't quite sure where Brax intended to go with this line of conversation.
”I know I'm going to regret this...” Ven motioned for Galene to join them. ”Enough families have been destroyed today. It's time we start building them. As a unification present for the two of you, I'm releasing Fain's t.i.the. Blessed union to you both. May the G.o.ds s.h.i.+ne on you always.” He kissed Galene's cheek, then Fain's. ”Now I'm off to secure my family and sanity as best I can.”
Galene gaped as Ven left them. ”Was that for real? Did he honestly just set you free? For free?”
His head reeling, Fain sputtered. ”Ven's always been capricious and bipolar... You really asked him about buying my t.i.the?”
The most beautiful blush stained her cheeks. ”He told you that?”
”He showed it to me.”
She visibly cringed. ”Are you mad that I did that without asking you?”
”Mad?” Fain cupped her face in both of his hands. ”How could I be angry over the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me?” Then he kissed her until she was breathless and he was so hard that he could barely think straight. All he wanted was to be inside her. To hold her and never again let anything or anyone come between them.
Stepping back, he rubbed his cheek against hers and took a deep breath in her hair so that the precious scent of her skin set his blood on fire even more. ”C'mon, I'm taking you back and making love to you until we're both limping.”
She snorted. ”Gee, Fain. That's just the kind of romantic offer that makes a female's heart race with antic.i.p.ation.”
He cracked what he hoped was a charming grin. ”Yeah, well, I was never fully housebroken. You knew that when you unified with me.”
Galene would have protested more, but then he took her hand and kissed her ring with a gesture so tender that it made her forget how unrefined a beast he could be. Especially since he led her toward Hermione's chambers to check on Ryn a thoughtful gesture that was very much a part of his character and why she'd always loved him. No matter how unruly or rough he could be, he was ever considerate of others.
”How's he doing?” he asked Hermione as she answered the door.
Hermione stepped back to show Ryn on the couch with his arms propped on his knees and his head resting in his hands. Misery was etched on his face and he appeared lost and bewildered. Completely bereft and devastated. ”I've never seen him like this. How could he have loved her so much and me be so clueless about it?”
Fain shook his head. ”None of us knew. I've even been on missions with them and had no idea. They hid it well. I actually thought they hated each other, the way they went at it whenever they were together.”
”He told me... it was a ruse to keep anyone from growing suspicious.” Hermione choked on her tears. ”I can't stand seeing my baby in so much pain.”
Galene took her hand and squeezed it in sympathy. ”I know,” she breathed. ”It's so much easier to take it ourselves than watch them suffer. I am so sorry.”
”Thank you. The remainder of the fleet is limping toward us and should be here in a few hours, with Jupiter Hinto leading them. They have to make extensive repairs from the battle. Gadghe's headed back for their main base. My understanding is that his son has taken command from his father, since he's too upset to handle things right now.”
Fain lowered his voice so that Ryn wouldn't hear him. ”Was Mack's body recovered?”
”No one knows. They sent over that last transmission to say her s.h.i.+p went down, and nothing since.”
”Then I'll find out discreetly when Jupiter lands and make sure to relay it to you.”
Hermione rubbed his arm. ”Again, thank you. Now go and secure your family. Then we'll plot our vengeance.”
Galene glanced to Ryn before she spoke. ”I already have a plan. I just need a few minutes with Tahrs Nykyrian before I move troops.”
”I want to know the minute Jupiter calls for clearance.”
All three froze at the sound of Ryn's deep, deadpan voice.
Her face pale, Hermione turned to face him. ”Ryn-”
”I'm not an infant, Mom. Jory won't be in any better shape than I am. He's the only one who was at our wedding, and he wors.h.i.+ped the ground his big sister walked on. It's not fair to put all this on him and leave him standing alone.” He joined them at the door. ”Let me know when you're ready to attack, Commander. I'll be there. All I can say is that b.i.t.c.h Kyr had better buckle up. I'm going for his throat with everything I have.”
Fain held his hand toward Ryn. When Ryn took it, he pulled him in for a hug. ”United in purpose.”
”United by bond.” Ryn clapped him on the back. ”Forever Tavali.”
”Forever Tavali.” And with that, Fain put his arm around Galene and led her away from them. ”h.e.l.l of a day, huh?”
”Indeed. Makes me terrified of tomorrow.”
As they headed for Fain's s.h.i.+p, his link went off with Nyk's ring. He clicked it on. ”Yeah?”
”Conference me with Galene.”
Fain tapped her link so that she could hear the call, too. ”You're on. Go.”
”You asked for Kyr's weakness?”
Galene met Fain's gaze as they paused to listen. ”Yes, Highness?”