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Chapter Fourteen
Sirus
The Warrior’s Curse
Scyrian Space
Sirus felt like he’d gone back in time. Back to when he’d been alone and angry at the universe. Before he’d ever gotten to know Joslynn the way he did now and not as some countess who worked with his family on occasion.
As he stood on Command watching the fleet with a practiced eye he knew he was no longer the same person thanks to her – his fiancée and the mother of his future child. Sirus had never felt anything like he had when she’d told him the news.
But he also had an irrational fear and the urge to drop everything to be by her side. His protective instincts were constantly roaring at him to go to her – to protect his future offspring and the love of his life.
That was not the warrior’s way. He had taken an oath to protect his people, to protect the Draga Galaxy, and he was going to keep it no matter how he felt personally.
The last three days had been utter torture, only able to communicate with Joslynn twice a day. And the farther they got from each other the more delayed the signal was, but it was better than nothing. Because after hearing about the attack on Pedranus he’d been in a panic, but he’d been able to get ahold of Joslynn not much later and she’d assured him all was fine, they’d made it to the core.
The pirates turned privateers had come through after all and were protecting all the evacuees they could. It was not something Sirus would have thought possible after his time on the border, but it looked like Princess Adelina had been right to make the gamble, and for the sake of his future wife’s life and that of their unborn child he would be eternally grateful.
“Lord Sirus we are approaching Scyrian space,” the captain informed him.
His older brother Peter came and stood by his side.
They’d been estranged for so long it was odd to have him standing next to him, staring at their home planet. As the middle child Peter would do best at court, making sure Scyria wasn’t forgotten while their eldest brother, Anatoly, prepared to rule from their planet. Sirus had never been needed at home, and when his eldest brother had married the issue of more heirs was no longer a concern.
His mother let him be after what had happened all those cycles ago when he’d lost his eye. She never once mentioned marriage, only asked that he sent her a cast at least once a week. Now his mother, Countess Malaya, was ready to hand over the reins and retire since Elena, Anatoly’s wife, became pregnant. She was due any week now.
“How long has it been since you’ve been back?” Sirus asked Peter. He couldn’t remember the last time Peter had visited.
His older brother frowned. “Too long.”
Sirus pulled up the holo reports from his console and checked the fleet once more. Prince Asher and Lady Veri were on Asher’s flagship, leading the Priea forces. Ajax was on his own ship, and then there was Prince William and Lord Lucas with the Avvis general. Billions of fighters were ready to fight and die for the Draga Galaxy.
The fleet would stop just for the day to make sure Scyria finished their evacuations and then they would move on to Treon and Seprilles, set up their camps there and do what they could for the planets – maybe even get some repairs done after they’d salvaged any and all ships and weapons.
The Neprijat could be anywhere. But Sirus would find them and hunt them down. Every single one of them until they could push the attack forward, driving them back to their homeworld – wherever that was.
Satisfied with their progress and the fleet’s position, Sirus sent out a vid-cast to his mother. Within seconds she’d accepted his request and her smiling face popped up before him. She glanced at Peter, surprised to see him.
“My boys, it’s good to see you again. Peter, it’s been so long.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t made it home, Mother. Time passes differently on the capitol.”
Countess Malaya’s smile grew sad, but she nodded. “Of course, Peter. I’m just glad to see you. Will either of you be landing planet-side?”
Peter glanced at Sirus, deferring to him in this instance. He supposed they had the time though it was off mission. Perhaps if he turned it into part of his orders…
“We could come down and assist with the remaining evacuations,” Sirus said. “It will be lovely to see you again, Countess Malaya.”
“Don’t be so formal, Sirus. Just get down here so I can congratulate you properly on your engagement.”
He smiled then. Neither he nor his mother ever thought he’d be able to settle down with someone, but Joslynn had eased the pain left over from his capture – smoothing the invisible scars until they no longer hurt the same way. She’d done so much for him – Sirus would spend the rest of his life finding new ways to thank her.
“Why aren’t you in a starship?” Sirus asked. “What about Anatoly and Elena? She needs to be as safe as possible.”
The scoff his mother gave him set off his nerves. Elena most of all needed to be safely in a starship with a physician nearby, watching her for signs of labor. She was so close to the end of the long pregnancy, this evacuation would no doubt be hardest on her.
“Mother, please tell me Elena is already on her way to Priea.”
