Page 18 of Fate of Draga

Then she left the makeshift council on an outpost on the edge of the Hai System – so close to home it hurt.

* * *

“Twelve hours, eh?” Mak asked when she relayed the information. He scratched the back of his neck and Kaita studied her second while he contemplated everything she’d told him. “You think a weapon like that even exists?”

Fate help him, he looked exhausted. They all did after months on the run – then weeks battling through Draga and then Hai. So much death and destruction. Repairs to armor and warships had been hasty, but thorough. Those weeks on Hai Delta had allowed them to fix much, but the ensuing battle on the border to retake the system – it was as though they were back at the beginning, making sure they had enough fuel to get to their next location while praying nothing broke along the way.

At least now they had allies and help.

Kaita walked through the Neprijat ship she was to take and tried not to scowl at everything. “Yes I think if we were to combine the knowledge of three systems such a weapon could be created. But it’s out of our hands now.”

Mak eyed her warily. “Yes, it is. And Prince Nash is not to join us?”

She shook her head and sat down in the pilot’s chair. Fate had seen fit to make the build of the Neprijat nearly identical to that of her own people. Born of humans once, long ago. Knowing they shared ancestry somehow made it all worse.

Her hands fit on the handles of the steering as if it had been made for her. “No, Prince Nash is engaged to the Queen of Draga now and has ceded his right to rule to me.”

The revelation had been one she’d kept close, but now…the news would quietly spread. “Nash will make sure we are not abandoned. He has my beacon.”

Mak nodded and sat down in the co-pilot’s seat. He would be flying with her plus a small squadron, along with five other Neprijat ships. She was to take Khara Prime. Kaita tried not to shudder at the thought of running into the Neprijat king.

No one had claimed his death for their own, but Adelina had granted it to Nash. Kaita wondered if she would have to fight him for it. But Fate would hand his death to whoever was destined.

There was relief in that knowledge. Fate would see fit that the Neprijat king paid his debt to Khara, whether it was by her hand or Nash’s.

“Is everyone ready?” Kaita asked. Delphine would go with her as well. The rest of the pirate army would be split up among her forces and the other royals’.

Those who’d been with her from the beginning would accompany her. So many had come so far with her and never once had their loyalty wavered. Kaita only hoped she would do that loyalty justice.

“Yes, everything has been packed, repaired, resupplied, and cloaked. Everyone who is to pilot the ships has been trained. They have all been ordered to sleep since we are not sure when we’ll be able to again.”

Kaita nodded. Her natural fire felt a bit dim after so long battling for her freedom, but they were close – near the end. Soon, soon she would be back home. Soon they would free their people and make sure the Neprijat paid for what they had done.

“Twelve more hours, and then we’ll be home,” Kaita murmured, looking out at the stars through the hangar of the outpost. Twelve more hours and they would be in more danger than ever before.

Footsteps on the metal floor had her turning. Kaita was shocked to see the dusky-skinned redhead glaring at her from the ramp. Roxy – Adelina’s genius mechanic, sister-in-law, and the future queen of thieves. “Delphine flies with you?” she asked.

Kaita nodded.

“Then I fly with you.”

Kaita grinned. “Another warrior is always welcome as long as your queen permits it.”

“She does.” Then the female was gone.

Love and loyalty was what would get them through this war. Love for her people – for those who still needed vengeance to put their souls to rest.

Kaita sent a silent promise to Fate. She would make sure the debts were paid.

Chapter Six

Adelina

The Jasmine

Khara/Hai Border

The Hai System

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