“I won’t let you do this.” She whips a laser pistol out from the back of her pants, lowering it to aim directly at Drakon’s heart. “I’m taking him with me.”
His smile wanes. “I grow tired of this. If you wish to live, leave now. I don’t give second chances.”
Black-clad soldiers slide out of the shadows, surrounding us. A dozen lasers glow a swirling crimson as they train on her. I watch as the fight dies from Niyah’s eyes, enraged to see that she has resigned herself to Bastien’s death. A veil of red falls over my vision. How can she turn her back on him so easily? Without a fight? What kind of love is that?
Niyah nods and glances back at Bastien one last time before walking away. “Coward!” I yell.
Bastien’s arms tremble with rage. I can only imagine how deeply her betrayal cuts him. Not just of us, but of her men. It is unthinkable.
Drakon waits until the door closes behind her before ordering his men to lower their weapons. His smile is dripping with venom-laced honey as he approaches. “I had thought you would put up a bigger defense. How disappointing. And me with so many men aching for a good fight. A pity.”
“Well.” He shrugs. “I suppose we might as well get on with this. You don’t want to keep the king waiting.”
I can feel my anger slip away as cold dread washes over me. “And Bastien?”
“He is no longer any of your concern, my dear. I have plans for him.” The crazed look returns to his eyes. He claps his hands in front of his chest, gleefully awaiting what is to come.
“He comes with me,” I growl, fighting to keep my head upright.
“You are in no position to be making demands, I think. Unlike last time, I have the upper hand. Too bad. I would’ve liked to see you in action one last time.”
One last time… His words spiral through my mind as darkness closes in on the edge of my vision. I can tell Bastien is struggling to keep me upright as I become dead weight in his arms.
Drakon motions for the soldiers to approach. “Escort her to my chambers. The boy goes in his cell.”
Bastien reacts before I have a chance to process that I’m no longer being held upright. I stare in horror as a tawny-haired alien in front of me pulls the trigger of his gun, aiming his green stun laser directly at Bastien’s chest.
“No!” I shout as I crumple to the floor.
Bastien cries out at the brunt of my mental push. He slams into the wall, his head connecting with a crack. He slumps to the ground, unconscious.
“Well.” Drakon chuckles. “I suppose that couldn’t have gone any better.”
In a swirl of blue, he marches over to Bastien. I watch as he closes his eyes. Bastien’s back arches; his mouth hangs open in a silent scream. A tear seeps from his unseeing eyes.
“Get away from him,” I growl as I shove with my mind. It is a weak push but enough to knock Drakon off his feet. I collapse back to the floor, my arms too weak to hold me upright. I pant, watching as my breath appears and disappears against the slick floor.
Drakon brushes himself off as he rises, patting his hair back into place. He tosses a sickening grin at me before he slams his boot down onto Bastien’s leg. With a nauseating snap, his lower leg rolls to the side.
Bile rises in my throat at the sight of his shattered leg. Drakon rears his leg back and slams it into Bastien’s ribs repeatedly, grunting with exertion. Bastien’s head lolls toward me and I can see his pain, but he can’t seem to scream.
“Stop,” I plead, pressing my face against the cold floor. I am helpless to aid him.
Drakon straightens his robe and steps back. Bastien curls inward, his leg twisted. “As much as I would love for you to watch me torture your lover, we are on a tight schedule.” Drakon snaps his fingers and a soldier rushes forward. “Get that out of my sight. Make sure he is locked up tight. I don’t want him tearing apart the ship in search of her.”
Two guards rush forward, stooping low to loop their arms through Bastien’s. “And, Amden, make sure you double the guards. This one has a few tricks up his sleeves. We’d hate for him to be harmed while trying to rescue the girl.” His snicker lands like a punch to my gut. “That’s my job.”
Tears well in my eyes, streaming down my nose and pattering onto the floor as I watch two guards drag Bastien away. His head hangs low to his chest and I pray he has passed out from the pain.
Shiny black boots pause beside my chin. Drakon crouches beside me. The hem of his robe falls about my face. “No cutting remarks today? I do so enjoy your fiery spirit.”
I spit on his boot, enjoying the way the glob slowly slides down the side. Drakon growls, wiping the offensive fluid from his polished shoes. “You will be taken to my quarters. Don’t bother trying to fight. I assure you, you won’t win.”