Page 88 of Hope Forged
“The G.C. was in the process of putting”—Barro cried out—“policies in place.” He squirmed, crushing his head between his long-fingered hands. “That would govern how we do business: our profits, our dealings, the bargains, the bribes—all regulated and not within our control.”
“Billions killed for that?” Xeus rasped, shock on his face.
“The ultimate deal is our purpose. It is what we live for. The reason for our very existence is not to be dismissed as trivial.” The male straightened, giving Xeus a glare.
“You meddled with Etterians first. How did Durn become your target?”
“Etterians are too honorable for their own good. They would have agreed to the policies and would have prevented us from dealing the way we have done for millennia. Durn aided you when we needed you focused on survival or, better still, extinct.”
“All for the best deal? This sounds…absurd.” Illan folded his arms across his chest. “Do you expect us to believe this nonsense?”
“Do or do not; either way means nothing to me.”
“Be serious, Barro,” Xeus said.
“Commerce is our way of life.” Barro met their gazes, his eyes taking on a gray hue. “The Etterians and the Durns threatened this. Now leave me be.” He sprawled on the bench, offering them his back.
“Tanlu, fetch Zucis. I want the deathkill switch neutralized.” Xeus gathered Illan to the side. “Need more information?”
“Perhaps, after the switch has been deactivated.” Too much had been revealed, and Illan could use the time to sort through it all. “Inform Zucis of this…development.”
“Good idea. It might inspire him to resolve this without killing the male.” Xeus nodded at Kanzo before marching out of the cell. The hum of the shield activating returned as soon as Illan trailed him, his mind reeling. So much for killing the male.
From the moment he’d opened his mouth, revealing secrets, Illan hadn’t thought about revenge. He’d been put on the back foot, struggling to reconcile what he knew with what Barro was telling him. Worse, if Illan didn’t sort it all out, he couldn’t update Ziamee. It all seemed so surreal. To kill so many people, he would need a damn good reason. Not this nonsense aboutaffecting trade negotiations and changing the way Maloidians did business.
Although, as the sole provider of Maloidian steel, he could see how this could mean trillions in tokens. Greed? Could he put it down to that? And pride?
“Your lady is on the beach,” Xeus said, gesturing to a wall up ahead.
Illan’s step faltered, surprised to find himself outside and in the middle of the royal gardens.
“I will send a warrior to escort you to your quarters, and Macy says to come for dinner.” With that said, Xeus marched off.
Illan hurried to the wall and peered over it, resting his hands on the stone. Below, along the beach, strolled his Ziamee, her pants darker to the knee. Fear gripped him at the realization that these waters weren’t safe. If she ventured in, he wouldn’t reach her in time to save her.
He bolted, careening down the steps and across the sand.
Not once did she face him, his approach no doubt softened. He wrapped his arms around her and whipped her away from the waves. With her crushed against him, her face tucked into the curve of his neck, his chin resting on her head, he waited for his breathing to calm.
“You’re being an idiot again,” she snapped, glaring at him the moment he released her.
“Again?” He arched a brow.
“I’ve been warned about the omeika.” She huffed.
“Oh,” he said, slowly stepping back.
“Before you ‘rescued’ me, I survived just fine.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“I know,” he said, digging his fingers into his scalp. “But you do not need to just survive anymore.”
“When I’m on a strange planet with a wide range of unknown fauna and flora?” She gazed at the ocean, closed her eyes, and raised her face to the sweet sunlight. “It’s pretty here, though.”
His heart swelled, his breath lodged in his throat, and his tongue tangled over every word he wanted to utter. Her expression melted the anger tainting his vision.
She smiled at him. “Their reverence is a little annoying.” She scuffed the sand with her bare toes. “Your queen askedmewhat I want. Can you believe that?”
Illan splayed his fingers across his sternum and forced himself to speak. “What did you say?”
