Page 66 of I Dated a Retired Hero

They went through the long measures as if they had practiced for years, and each step was in sync. Litha’s leaps took her higher than a human could go.

When the song was over, the couple was in a strange pose. Sergei was leaning forward in a lunge, and Litha was draped over his back, facing the stars. It was a striking pose, and Amber smiled softly. It was nice to see her sister so happy.

She dismissed her instrument and the effects that had bound the gathering together.

The hand that clamped on the back of her neck and lifted her was agonizing. She screamed as the contact burned her nervous system. She kicked weakly and shrieked for help that never came. She must have gone over curfew. Morcaddo was here, and he was going to bring her home.

* * * *

Litha watched her sisterbeing shaken like a small dog in the grip of the grey-green male with tusks. He was wearing a capitol team uniform and glaring at Amber.

Litha’s eyes were hot. “Put her down.”

“She is past curfew and a dangerous active. She will be up on charges for using her activation as soon as she is booked.” He shook her again, and the crying sounds that Amber was making continued.

“Stop hurting her!”

Zera walked up to him. “Drop her. Now.”

He sneered.

Zera stepped back. “Gentlemen, please rescue the young lady. The ladies today aren’t dressed for it.”

Sergei stepped forward, wrapped shadows around Amber, and they reappeared twenty feet away.

Litha watched her sister twitching while her eyes rolled in pain.

She hovered, and when the men stepped aside, she burned him with a thin stripe every inch and a half wide on his entire body. His screams made her smile. She hadn’t spared any skin.

He was writhing slowly on the ground, and she walked over and crouched on him. She tapped the raw and burned skin. “I just want to point out a few things. One, you assaulted my sister. Two, this is a wedding full of actives. Three, there are governmental representatives from five nations here, and four, it was my wedding. Who are you to hurt someone so physically unmatched? I am guessing you knew her as a child, and when you grew and she didn’t, you pressed your advantage? They told you that you could do what you wanted as long as the damage wasn’t permanent, so you did. Well, you get to go home empty-handed today. Your capitol team members will take you. They are all global class and are going to chat with you on your way back.” She smiled. “I am smaller than you, but I can turn you to ash with the tap of my finger. I don’t because I have self-control and am not a monster. Look into self-control. Next time we meet, I will not use it.”

Sergei lifted her off him, and Torun lifted the man, walking out with his team, and they went skyward.

“Where is Amber?”

“Torene was healing her. Figured it couldn’t get worse. She’s right over...” He turned, and she was gone.

Litha sighed and got a ping. “She’s with Feral. They are on the island.”

Salmet looked at her and said softly, “We agreed with Khytten that she could come back tomorrow. We hadn’t realized what that would mean. I haven’t dealt with this in years. The capitol is usually eager to dispose of actives.”

Litha murmured, “Especially when there are ties to Aksalla. She should have been turned over when she was a toddler.”

Salmet frowned. “I will have to check her file. I am also bracing for a call from the capitol.”

Zera nodded. “Me, too.”

Litha got a ping. “She’s safe, and she’s napping. Xeva and her family are taking care of her. The seers are saying she’s supposed to be there.”

Litha sent a message to Amber and tried to make it as loving and supportive as she could.

She lowered her arm and sighed. “Well, that is appropriate for me and Sergei. Going along well until we aren’t.”

Sergei walked over to her. “She is well?”

“She’s on the island with Xeva.”

“Do you want to go?”

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