“She’s in good hands,” Jorg, their medic, promised.
Cyprian was glad Ion came, since she was an expert on human physiology. Still, it was hard seeing the Miran Sonan. The pale female looked gaunt. It was apparent Kagan had relayed the sad news about Exo.
“Ion, I’m sorry about Exo. Riley wanted to tell you herself, but…”
Cyprian couldn’t finish, instead he placed a fist to his chest and solemnly bowed to the wispy female. Ion nodded in appreciation, then joined June by Riley’s side.
“Daimio Kagan quo Rordan, let me introduce Aculus of the Osivoire,” Cyprian said, as he repeated the gesture of respect and bowed to his leader.
“Greetings, Aculus. Thank you for your hospitality.” Kagan bowed to bony warrior. “Cyprian glad to have you home.”
“Greetings, Daimio of Cadi. I appreciate your concession, meeting on my vessel. I hope you understand my hesitance to release the little human while she is in no position to agree or disagree.”
“And I appreciate your honor and willingness to bring Riley to Cadi so swiftly,” Kagan replied graciously.
“If you don’t mind, can we see your medical facilities,” Jorg interjected.
“Yes. This way,” Aculus replied as he led the way.
“We did a medical scan, but found no major injury. Her condition has to be related to the implant,” Cyprian interjected.
He pulled Jorg aside before they entered the medical bay.
“Riley has my conjugo mark on her neck. Please cover it with a bandage. I haven’t had a chance to speak to her about it.”
Jorg looked at Cyprian in shock. Cyprian hated the way Jorg eyed him critically. The guilt he’d been suppressing over bonding Riley without her knowledge and consent, surfaced. He didn’t need a reminder that he’d committed the most dishonorable of acts. But now that he was home, there was no avoiding it. Cyprian straightened his shoulders.
“I have a valid excuse. Please just do it. I don’t want Riley to learn what I’ve done from someone else.”
“Very well, but you must speak to the Daimio immediately.”
Cyprian tried to assist as they prepared Riley for surgery, but June shooed him out of the medical suite.
“Come. Have a drink with me,” Aculus said to Kagan, Cyprian and Tytus.
“Alright. Jorg will hail me when he locates the implant,” Tytus agreed.
“It’s good to see you safely home, my friend,” Kagan said to Cyprian. “I can tell you are worried about Riley. She’s in good hands. You have done well. Let’s pass the time by discussing how your mission went.”
“A lot has happened,” Cyprian replied as they reached a small seating area.
“I can leave you to your business,” Aculus offered after retrieving several tankards from a chiller in the wall.
“I doubt I have anything to report, that you aren’t already aware of,” Cyprian replied to Aculus, as he took the beverage offered.
“Cadi is looking for new allies,” Kagan stated as he accepted a mug. “Do you represent your people?”
“I’m a valued servant of the conclave. The elders respect my opinion,” Aculus replied.
“And what is your view of the Jurou Biljana?” Kagan shrewdly assessed the bony warrior.
“The Osivoire don’t associate with those self-serving slave merchants,” Aculus growled.
“Good. We learned the hard way what kind of people those reptiles are.” Kagan nodded, pleased by Aculus’ response. “I hope that when this is over you will be able to report back to your conclave that you have found the Cadi to be worthy.”
“When I first met your general, I was ready to put your people on our watch list. I thought you needed to be taken down to size when you were mocking Riley in the viewing gallery,” Aculus commented to Cyprian.
“Really,” Kagan replied as he cast a curious look toward the general.
“Riley looked devastated, something horrible must’ve just occurred. I wanted to cheer her up, but couldn’t since I was undercover. Having met a few humans, I thought that if I insulted her dancing and music, it would bring Riley around. Her anger was better than her despair,” he explained.
Cyprian was growing to like the bony warrior. He didn’t want Aculus to think he was entirely without honor, particularly since his actions were what Aculus was using to judge the Cadi.
“She did get pissed,” Aculus chuckled with a nod. “I’m surprised she didn’t kick you like she did her first handler.”
“Me too,” Cyprian laughed.
“And you say you don’t understand human females. Giselle would skin me alive if I mocked her dancing,” Kagan snorted.