Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(89)

Cyprian de Praefectus

Cyprian held his breath as he again hailed the sleek silver vessel.

“You have my female,” Cyprian growled the instant Aculus opened a channel.

“Your female? Riley said you weren’t a slaver. Clearly, she was mistaken. Back away before I fire on your cruiser.”

“You misunderstand,” Cyprian spoke through clenched teeth. “She is my mate.”

“I would confirm your claim, but Riley isn’t responding.”

Cyprian was suddenly frantic. He couldn’t see her, since Aculus hadn’t engaged his visual display.

“She’s hurt! Let me board,” Cyprian demanded.

“She’s not mortally wounded. I’m not a fool. She’s in shock.”

“No, you’re a coward. You gave my female explosives and sent her in to do a warrior’s job. Halt your course and let me board,” Cyprian snarled. He was having difficulty being diplomatic.

Aculus was silent on the other end.

“Please.” Cyprian had never begged, but he would, if that’s what it took to get Riley back.

“Fine, but you come aboard alone and unarmed.”

“Agreed.”

Cyprian was chomping at the bit as he latched onto the Osivoire’s vessel, and set the autopilot. He hustled through the aligned hatches, and was greeted with a disruptor in the face.

“Turn full circle,” Aculus demanded.

Cyprian held his hands up as he turned, proving that he was unarmed.

“Come on.” Aculus waved him forward.

Cyprian followed the armored male through the cruiser to the control room. His shoulders relaxed when Riley came into view. Her shiny, raven and purple hair cascaded down the back of the seat. Cyprian circled the chair to find his beautiful, colorful, little, female sitting frighteningly still. The dark circles beneath her large black eyes, worried him. She looked incredibly tired. Her eyes didn’t focus on him, so he knelt at her booted feet.

“Little Manx,” he husked.

Riley’s eyes were open, but she stared right through him.

“There’s something very wrong.” Cyprian said with a catch in his throat.

Cyprian ran his hands through her hair. He felt a knot on the back of her head, but it wasn’t big enough to explain her current condition.

“They gave her some kind of mood altering implant. The Overseer said it wasn’t working right in Riley. I need to get her back to Cadi.”

“I’m not letting you take her, based on your word,” Aculus growled. “Riley called you her friend, but I know how you’ve treated her.” Aculus pointed to the bite mark on Riley’s neck.

Cyprian bowed his head. If he was in Aculus’ position, he would do the same. The male let Riley walk into danger, but was that really any worse than some of the things he, himself, had done. Cyprian had withheld the truth, and bent her to his will. Even if Riley was lucid, she wouldn’t confirm that he was her mate, because he never explained what he’d done.

But none of his sins mattered. He had to get Riley the help she needed.

“You can imagine what Riley went through on that asteroid. She witnessed her friend’s murder, among other horrible things, and she still came out strong. You saw her spirit yourself. This is not like her. There are people on my planet who can help her. They are familiar with humans,” Cyprian implored.

He would fight Aculus if the male refused to see reason.

“My vessel is faster than that thing you were piloting. I will take you to your planet, and your people will treat her here. Then Riley will decide who she wishes to go with,” Aculus insisted.

“Fine. I need to send the cruiser back to the asteroid and check in with Vintor.”

Aculus nodded.

Cyprian hailed Vintor.

“Did you find Riley?” Vintor asked the instant he came onscreen.

“Yes, but there is something wrong. Aculus is taking us back to Cadi. Are you going to be fine?”

Cyprian hated the idea of leaving his friend behind.

“Go. The Overseer has been very compliant. I reminded him of his oath to release the Toufik. Ashtoret should be here soon to back me up.”

“Good. I’m sending the cruiser back to you. See if you can get the Overseer to secure Mave and his band, till Ashtoret arrives.”

“If the Overseer refuses. Let him know the Osivoire Nation is more than happy to reduce his asteroid to space dust,” Aculus added.

Vintor nodded then cut off the transmission.

Cyprian quickly retrieved a few things from his cruiser, then sent it back to the asteroid. He swiftly returned to the control room and pulled Riley out of the seat. Cyprian strapped in, and cradled Riley against his lap. She relaxed against his chest, but didn’t react beyond that.