Page 20 of The Ozar Triad

There was a slight pause, and then Klaej said, “Like a warrior?”

“If that means someone who lays their life down in service, then yes. I suppose so.”

Setzan worked over her body, cleaning every finger, limb, and extremity. He treated her body with quick efficiency. Gone was any lingering sense of sexual touch.

She didn’t know whether to be disappointed or thankful.

God, she was so sick of her head. Maybe a rest was what she needed.

After a moment, he asked, “And your Earth lets females lay down their lives to fight wars?”

The water turned off and she was surrounded in a soft, fluffy material. Both of the brothers gently dried her.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t they?”

“But females are precious. Without females, there is no life.”

She was amazed that Setzan actually sounded affronted by the idea. “Life is precious whether you’re a man or a woman. It doesn’t matter what gender you are.”

Klaej pressed a soft kiss to her temple. “But you are female and now we look after you. You will never need to fight again.”

Her body was heavy. Lethargic. Against all logic and common sense, she felt safe enough to shut down. She didn’t know if she even spoke the words, but she definitely knew she thought it.

“But what if I want to?”

Chapter Eight

Rujali

Rujali studied the activity of the spaceport from the bridge of their jet. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but it just seemed… off.

On the surface, it was normal enough. Species came and went, but he’d caught one too many lingering glances in the direction of their jet for it not to be coincidental. He checked the shields, which held firm. The faint blue shimmer over the viewscreen confirmed his visual. Their shields were nearly indestructible. Nothing would be able to get in or out of their jet while it was active.

This port had a reputation for underhanded happenings. Now that they had such precious cargo, he was taking no chances, even if it was overkill. The sooner they departed the planet and returned to their home world, the better.

However, they still needed to retrieve the Ozar Crystal for their future. Even though they had miraculously found their mate, there would be no children for them or anyone until the tower shone its glow and energy returned to the land.

Setzan climbed into the seat next to him.

Rujali turned to his brother. “How is our mate?”

“Bathed and clean. She is resting with Klaej in your quarters.”

Rujali’s brow rose. “My quarters?”

“You have the biggest bed, and I’m sleeping nowhere else but with Riley from now on. So get used to it, brother. You’ll never have your bed to yourself again,” Setzan said.

A faint smile curved Rujali’s lips. He hadn’t felt himself smile in a long time. “I never want my bed to myself. I can’t believe it will be filled for the rest of our days.”

Setzan paused, and then said, “She told us something disturbing while we attended to her. In her world, they send their females to war. She is a fighting female. A soldier, she called herself.”

Rujali sucked in a sharp breath. “Why in all the gods’ names would their males do that?”

“She said that both male and female lives are equal,” Setzan said.

“I cannot believe she came from such a primitive society,” Rujali said.

“There are many species who treat their females worse than refuse. You’ve seen it for yourself. There are many out there now who treat their females as nothing more than slaves.” Setzan gestured to the various species outside.

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