Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(73)
“You are right about Fate. But I think it also has a sense of humor. I had these preconceived notions about females and what I thought I wanted. But you shattered all of that.”
Riley tilted her head in confusion, wondering what he was talking about.
“You amaze me, Little Manx. Your spirit, and willingness to sacrifice yourself humbles me. I can’t fathom how Kali packed so much into such a beautiful little creature.”
“Please Cyprian,” Riley begged. “I can’t handle this.” She gestured from him to herself.
It was time to come clean. That was the only thing that would lighten Riley’s burden and ease her mind.
“I know.” Cyprian bent and kissed her forehead. “And I know Exo hid the location of the colony on your necklace. I’m amazed by what you did to keep it a secret.”
“But I failed. Cuttles is going to figure it out,” Riley sobbed.
“I’ll find a way to fix it.”
Riley pushed at Cyprian’s chest, shoving him back.
“Wait. How do you know about the colony?” she asked, horror twisting her face.
“We both have secrets,” Cyprian replied with a slight smile. “Vintor and I didn’t come to Distraho to buy or sell anything.”
“What do you mean?” Riley frowned in confusion.
“Several Toufik citizens went missing on Cadi, so Vintor and I infiltrated the group of smugglers. While we were getting close to the smugglers we learned the Jurou Biljana abducted you and Exo. June has been very worried about you.”
“June?” Riley said, surprise and hope filling her voice. “I don’t understand. Why didn’t you tell me?” She shook her head in confusion.
“I couldn’t risk the others learning about my mission if you slipped.”
“You didn’t think you could trust me?” Riley barked incredulously.
Cyprian smiled at the flash of temper he saw reflected in her eyes. She was coming around.
“That was before I knew you. I don’t think a single one of my swords, possess the metal you’ve displayed. Like you said, life has tempered you into something truly formidable, Little Manx.”
“You have no idea the half of it.” Riley frowned.
“So, enlighten me.”
“You suspected I was keeping something about Aculus from you.”
“Yes. You knew he sabotaged the weapon in the viewing gallery, didn’t you?”
“If it was only that simple,” Riley laughed bitterly. “You and Aculus are very similar. You already know the weapon he ruined had the ability to destroy planets. But what you don’t know, is that Cuttles still has the data chip that controlled it. That information puts countless people at risk.”
“And Aculus wants the information destroyed.”
“There’s more. Aculus visited me while you were in the morgue. We have till this time tomorrow to destroy the information, before the Osivoire make it like Distraho never existed.”
“That doesn’t give my people enough time to get here to pick up the Toufik.” Cyprian grimaced.
“I couldn’t stand the thought of so many innocent people dying. I told Aculus I’d find a way to get into Cuttles’ office, and engineering, to destroy the information. I’m supposed to contact him with this, and he’ll bring me supplies.”
Riley showed Cyprian a small disk adhered to the back of her pendant.
“And that male was willing to let you risk your tail, because he failed at his mission?” Cyprian growled.
Cyprian was ready to knock the bony male’s teeth in.
“I didn’t give Aculus an option. He’s not a bad guy. He couldn’t very well claim to give me my freedom, then take me against my will.”
“I was right. You are trouble,” Cyprian smirked. “Well I’m giving you your freedom, but there’s no way in Kali’s creation I’m letting you risk your tail.”
“Were you listening, General? You can’t give someone their freedom, and still order them about in the same breath. I’ve had my fill of it.”
Riley attempted to squirmed out of his arms, but Cyprian held her tighter.
“You know my stance when it comes to you being hurt. That’s not a fabrication. You won’t martyr yourself because you’re too damn giving.”
“I know I had a little meltdown, but I do have a plan.”
Riley managed to get free from his grasp. She stood in front of Cyprian wearing that spunky rotten smile that aggravated him when they first met. He wasn’t surprised Riley had a plan. Even when she was down, she was still a fighter. It filled him with pride.
“And what is that plan?” Cyprian asked.