“I’ll stay with her.”
She’s careful to keep her gaze away from Korzyn, who silently follows me from the room.
“I had them brought to your quarters,” Korzyn says. “I know you don’t want to leave her.”
I nod and push open the door, finding Dexar and Alexis—his queen. Dragix also leans against the wall, his arm wrapped around his mate’s waist. From the look on his face, he’s not at all happy she insisted on coming with him.
“How is she doing?” Alexis demands. “The others wanted to be here, but Rakiz thought it best if we left camp in smaller numbers to keep from drawing the Dokhalls’ attention.”
My throat tightens, and I can’t say the words. Korzyn glances at me, his eyes sympathetic, before he returns his gaze to Alexis.
“The same,” he says.
Charlie’s hand shakes as she pushes her hair off her face, while Alexis’s lips tremble until she presses them together, turning and burying her head against Dexar’s chest.
I have to turn away from the sight, moving toward the window. My lovely female thought she had no one but her cousin. Thought she had no true family. The anguish these females are showing proves differently.
She once told me Rakiz’s tribe was a family. But the words were wistful, as if she was not part of that family.
Wake up, Vivian, and see how much these people care for you.
Charlie takes a deep breath. “Can we see her?”
I nod, and the females immediately move into my bedroom, where my female still lies as if dead, five days after one of my guards stabbed her with the sword I gave him.
I didn’t even think to make her wear dragon scales. Didn’t believe she could be targeted. Her struggle to stay alive is my fault.
Korzyn glances at me again and obviously realizes I’m incapable of anything that doesn’t involve sitting by Vivian’s side and begging her to wake up.
“We thank you for your help,” Korzyn says formally, and both males nod.
“Rakiz would have come, but he refuses to leave his mate while his child is so young,” Dexar murmurs, and I nod.
The first time I saw this male, I mocked him, calling him a barbarian. And yet it was his forces that secured my castle while I was unable to leave Vivian’s side.
“All your current guards have been interrogated,” Dragix says, his eyes hooded as he leans against the wall.
“Explain,” I say, and his eyes flash gold. “Please,” I amend, and he shows me his teeth but complies.
“I am able to speak mind to mind.” I gape at him as his voice sounds in my head, his lips clamped shut.
“I had thought you were only able to speak this way to your female,” I admit.
“I usually choose only to speak to my Charlie this way,” he says, glancing toward my bedroom as if already missing his mate. I attempt to suppress the jealousy that crawls down my throat, making it impossible to talk.
Wake up, Vivian. I need you.
“With a few words in their minds, Dragix was able to convince your men he can read their thoughts.” Dexar smiles, flashing white teeth. “A brilliant idea, really. Three guards confessed instantly, while a fourth was later found to be aware of the traitors, even if he wasn’t colluding directly with them.”
“Thank you,” I say, itching to return to Vivian. “I will need a few days to get my army in order, and then we will march toward Rakiz’s camp.”
Dexar frowns, and Korzyn clears his throat.
“We will join your war against the Dokhalls,” he says.
While we had agreed to provide warriors for their fight, today marks the first day of our official alliance with the barbarian tribes.
Dragix shows no surprise, but I can practically feel it radiating off the dragon.
“Why?”
“You came to my aid with nothing to gain,” I say.
“The human females are under our protection,” Dexar reminds me.
“You could easily have had them smuggled out,” Korzyn says. The hint of a smile plays around his mouth. “They would have fought like wild karja, but I believe you could have taken them back across the water.”
“Vivian and Sarissa asked for our help.”
I turn away, unable to speak when it feels as if a mishua is standing on my chest. While I had thought my female was conspiring against me, she was secretly planning to use her contacts to save me and anyone loyal to me.
“And you provided that help,” Korzyn says. “It will be remembered.”
My hands itch with the need to return to my bedroom, and I glance over my shoulder.
Dragix’s voice interrupts my thoughts.
“We will take our females home now. Be prepared though; they have already set up a schedule for visits. I will be flying back with Beth and Ivy in the morning.”
Dragix’s eyes lighten in amusement, and I nod. I don’t believe I will ever get used to hearing another voice in my head.
Alexis and Charlie return, both of them with reddened eyes. Their males instantly engulf them in their arms, and I can no longer stand to watch. I nod to them and turn, stalking back into my room, where Vivian is still unconscious, her face too pale.
Sarissa gets up from the bed and walks out, her movements slow, as if each step is difficult. Korzyn murmurs something to her in the next room, and her voice is hoarse as she replies.
I lie down on my side next to Vivian, ignoring the healer as she walks away, muttering something about returning later to change Vivian’s bandages.
“This is the second time you have almost died on my planet,” I murmur, stroking Vivian’s hair off her face. “Not counting the way you crashed here on that ship. When you wake up, you’ll need to convince me not to tie you to my bed, where I can keep you safe.”
I lay my head on her pillow, breathing her in. “You will wrinkle your nose and give me that disdainful look, and I will fantasize about pulling off your clothes. Then you’ll say something sarcastic,
