Page 65 of When Eden Falls

“He can’t leave this section of the fortress. The doors are heavily guarded.”

“Nevertheless, you invited Eden here anyway, fully aware Dybgo is being detained in the same area?” Disgusted rage rippled across Rooke’s face. “Did you intend for this to happen?”

“Of course not.” Havav looked offended by the allegation. “It was a mistimed coincidence.”

Rooke chuckled in disbelief. “I’m starting to wonder.”

“Rooke. Don’t.” My eyes begged him to stop. He was making this far worse than it already was. His eyes softened when they met mine and his tone became gentler. “Havav, I don’t intend to offend. We are overly appreciative of your generosity…”

“I understand,” Havav replied. “You need not apologise. I take female protection seriously. This is my mistake. One I hope to rectify.” He stood, and I glanced over at Rooke. I knew what he was thinking. He wanted to find a reason to leave this place, take us somewhere where he could keep his crew safe, but he had run out of options. He needed to remain on Havav’s good side, so he would follow through on his promises. Our ship was sitting inHavav’s hands. Without his cooperation, fixing it would be a lost cause.

“I will call for Yuska to escort Eden back to her rooms,” Havav said, ringing a small glass bell that sat on a stone table in the corner. “I assure you, she will be safe there.”

“I will go with her,” Rooke said.

“That is not necessary.”

“Iwantto go with her.”

“And that is completely against the rules.”

“The rules?” Rooke huffed an incredulous laugh and looked to the ceiling. “Believe it or not, I can contain my urges around beautiful women.”

“This is not a laughing matter, commander,” Havav snarled.

“I’m not laughing!” Rooke glared at Havav. “Tell me, what exactly would Dybgo have done to Eden if we hadn’t intervened?”

I didn’t think it was possible, but Havav’s pale complexion whitened further. “It does not need to be mentioned.”

“I think it does!”

Havav mumbled something in Akquarian, then sighed. “Very well, if you wish to know. He would’ve forced himself upon her. And if she tried to stop him, he would have likely killed her…along with anyone else who tried to intervene.”

Dybgo was one of the largest, most powerful Akquarians I had seen here. He was at least six-foot-nine. He would easily rip anyone apart. I couldn’t bear to think about what would have happened. The pain around my neck was proof enough of what he was capable of.

“But you stopped him,” Rooke said, scornfully. “How did you manage that?”

“I am his esteemed leader, and even though the sane, obedient male inside is being compromised, he is still in there. But to be honest with you I acted on instinct, and it was sheer luck he listened.”

Rooke cursed, shaking his head. But it made me question why Havav would protect me against his prize warrior, potentially sacrificing himself. What did he want with us? With me?

Minutes later, with Yuska by my side, I was marched back to my apartment by three guards and Xandrak. When I entered the bright room, my heart sank to find it empty. I needed consoling, I needed a hug. Both Cora and Zamya must’ve been at the library.

I flinched when I heard the door screech shut behind me.

“You should get changed,” Yuska said, coming to stand in front of me. She touched the ripped neckline of my dress. “He made a mess of this, didn’t he?”

“Did you know?” My voice was softer than I intended. All the fight inside of me had been drained.

Yuska looked up at me, regret filling her eyes. She was so petite. “You mean about Dybgo?” She sighed, her brow knitting together. “Yes. It was I who detected the signs.”

“Is it true it never usually happens to him?”

“Yes.”

“Then why now?”

“I don’t know.”