Page 5 of Fate of Draga

Peter had taken his niece, Charlotte, to Priea with the rest of the Scyrian refugees. His only living brother had been signed on as Lord of Scyria until Charlotte came of age. No more court life for Peter. He was now essentially a father to a newborn.

Rage so hot and heavy that it nearly choked him, but it also burned up any tears he may have shed for his family and all that had been taken from him.

And now the gods and goddesses had seen fit to take his unborn child as well.

When would it be enough? When would they deem thatenoughhad died and cease the suffering?

But this was war. The suffering had only just begun.

At least Sirus could feel a tiny bit of gratitude that his child would not suffer at the hands of the Neprijat. The new queen would take back the Hai System, but there was so much more to do – so many more of the Neprijat than they’d ever considered possible.

Sirus stood and grabbed his armor. He needed to work off as much fury as he could. Stepping into the spidersilk armor he activated it and then checked his weapons. Another patrol so soon would worry his warriors, but he couldn’t wait.

Hunting down those monsters had been his only solace the last few weeks.

They’d cleared Scyria within a few days, but the surrounding space seemed to have a never- ending source of Neprijat warriors. He was almost starting to figure out their exit and entry points.

Sitting near one of their popular locations would offer him an outlet. Then he could blow them all to pieces. The smaller ships didn’t take as much firepower to destroy.

“Sir?” one of his warriors asked as he strode through the seat for the lift they’d only just repaired the other day.

He couldn’t even bring himself to respond without raging. His warriors didn’t deserve the full brunt of his emotions. So he entered the lift and selected the surface. The male entered with him.

“Off to patrol again?” the young warrior asked.

Sirus didn’t bother trying to remember his name. It would come to him later, but all he could think of at the moment was the loss he felt so keenly – far too soon after the last one. They’d barely just lit the pyres of his mother, brother, and sister-in-law a little over two weeks ago. And so many more. Thousands who had died in the attack – warrior and civilian alike.

The queen mother had mentioned Joslynn was alive and well despite the miscarriage and intended to return to her people, soon to be their people, until the evacuation orders were lifted. And Sirus could do nothing to help her.

All he could do was fight and kill and hopefully finish this war so he could go home to her. So he could make their home safe again. Then maybe he would finally find solace. But Sirus knew it would be a while yet before that could happen.

He stepped out of the lift the second the doors opened and the warrior beside him called out for preparations for their ships – small fighters that had been tweaked to be able to resist Neprijat firepower and take them out.

Finally Sirus turned to study the male beside him. Young and fearless and reckless as they all were when they first joined up. But his face showed battle scars. “How long have you been serving?” Sirus asked.

The male gave him a solemn shrug as they entered the hangar. “Since I turned eighteen cycles, Lord Sirus. I was never on your personal ship, but I joined your forces after the attack on Scyria. Previously I ran local patrols. I got into a fight with one of the great cats a few cycles ago,” he said as way of explanation for the state of his face. “I’m lucky to be alive.”

Sirus stopped and checked the seal of his armor. “Indeed you are. Your name, warrior?”

“Zane, Lord Sirus. I’m sorry about the Countess and…everything.” Those piercing blue eyes and nearly white hair were shocking anywhere else other than Scyria. The lad was tall and strong though, a fighter. “You looked like you could use some company.”

This young warrior thoughtheneeded company? “You don’t have better things to do?” Sirus snapped, feeling that rage claw at him. He needed to get into his fighternow.

“I finished my twelve hour shift. This is my rest time. I figure I can do whatever I like with it – within reason of course, Lord Sirus.”

He grunted. “Fine, keep up or get left behind.” Sirus stalked to his ship and tried not to think about how much it touched him the young lad was willing to put himself in unspeakable danger – and on his rest time as well. All because he thought Sirus needed a companion.

Getting in the fighter and taking off was done in record time and Sirus felt like he could breathe again once he’d broken through the atmosphere and he was surrounded by nothing but stars.

Asher’s order to retreat to the Core hadn’t tempted him at all. Sirus had been surprised the dark prince had agreed and allowed him to stay on Scyria with his army, he supposed keeping a feel for the space between the Kharan border and the Core was smart. He would know the best route for them to take when the time came.

Because Sirus didn’t know when, but soon they would be called to advance. He could feel it in his bones – a warrior’s sixth sense he supposed.

“On your six,” the young warrior said over the comms. “Know where we’re headed?”

Sirus gritted his teeth, but deep down he was grateful to the boy. Being alone right now could be…dangerous – but with a young one to look after he couldn’t afford any mistakes. “Just follow me.”

They flew through space to one of Sirus’s favorite hunting grounds, faster than ever before now that Roxy’s engine tech had been spread across the Draga System.

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