Page 42 of Fate of Draga

So she was not alone.

But she out of all of them bore the heaviest of weights.

Three systems and four different peoples. And if this Neprijat were right – five peoples.

“I want to check out his information. If Sozav is right then it will be easily corroborated. And if he is telling the truth I want him to join us,” Varan said, smiling slightly as he flipped the knife again. It turned end over end so quickly Sozav watched it warily.

But it landed gently in his other hand.

Varan tucked it away. No more death today if he could help it.

Then he waited for Kaiden and Nash’s response.

Both were silent for longer than he’d guessed they’d be, and that terrible hope grew.

“There are entire factions like you who want to fight for the Queen of Draga?” Nash finally asked.

Kaiden tensed and shot the Corinthian prince an incredulous look. Varan barely managed to keep his jaw from dropping, clenching his teeth to keep his mouth closed.

Sozav grinned, flashing those sharp teeth at Nash. It was almost a challenge but Nash didn’t even bristle. The look on his face was…calm.

Varan’s smile grew. The mate bond was claimed and seemed to have settled deep in the brute. And it had apparently gifted him with patience.

“Yes, we have factions like the one you wiped out here. We have female warriors as well, hidden away. There are a dozen other locations similar to this. Not all in this system, but I can give you that intel. Whether you decide to kill me or not, that information is my gift to your queen.”

“Why?” Kaiden demanded, flaring his wings even wider as he planted his hands on his hips.

“If I could choose a queen to lead us, it would be her,” Sozav said with a shrug. “Look at what she has accomplished. Just with you three alone.”

That made Kaiden pause and Varan wondered at this new development. This was a boon – an unexpected gift that would allow them to win this war without as many casualties as he’d feared. Enough that they could all rebuild.

But only if they were willing to take it – to accept the caveat that it would be by the Neprijat’s hands.

Would they deserve the victory if they didn’t accept this offer? Would their dead choose to live again, knowing it would be because of their enemy? What would they tell their people if they didn’t take this chance, and they were all enslaved?

Varan held Nash’s gaze and he could see all the same questions reflected in the Corinthian’s eyes. The bond was thrumming strong between them. Kaiden felt it too and he retracted his wings just enough that he still looked fearsome, but not threatening.

“If Queen Adelina accepts this proposition and your information rings true, I will accept the terms,” Kaiden said quietly.

“As will I,” Nash agreed.

Varan grinned. “Let’s get our beautiful wife on an encrypted transmission then.”

That dangerous hope flared bright in the darkness once more and Varan felt relief for the first time since they’d seen that horde.

They had a chance to survive this without losing everything they were fighting for.Ifthey were willing to grow.

If they could accept that the Neprijat were not all monstrous creatures.

Chapter Twelve

Adelina

The Jasmine

The Hai System

She paced in the solar, Nadyah and Ian sitting on the couch nearby. Adelina wrung her hands and tried not to think of how much time had gone by. Where were her mates? Why hadn’t they called in to report?

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