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Rokai nodded and smiled, though it wasn’t the carefree smile he usually, effortlessly flashed to anyone he saw now that he was so happy and content in his life and life choices.

“Do you know the girl that’s missing? The one Bart says is his?”

“I do. She worked at the palace with my mother for a very long time. She’s kind and honest, and hard working. And the brother she is searching for is just the opposite. He was never able to advance in our military the way he wanted and was almost as bitter as I was toward my family. He had only himself to blame, though. He is lazy and manipulative. I’m not surprised that he is behind all the unrest on Cruestace.”

“Find her, Rokai. It sounds like she’s at risk out there.”

“She is, but I will find her. My reputation is still a living thing out there with those I once thrived among.”

“I’m so proud of you, even the old you,” Rosie said.

“I love you. I’m ever grateful that you accepted me.”

“How could I not. It’s not everyday that a male gifts you a bag of heads and hearts.”

Rokai laughed. “You loved me before then.”

“I did. Take care of you, Rokai. Do whatever you have to do to find her and still come home safe to me.”

“Always, my love.”

Chapter 28

Zahn shifted restlessly in the medical bed he lay in. “Least they could do is allow me to go to my own quarters. These beds are so thin my bones ache after lying in one position for too long.”

“It won’t be long,” Au'revele said.

“Am I hearing you right? Are you in here giving these doctors nothing but complaints?” Vor asked as he entered Zahn’s hospital room.

Zahn broke into a wide grin. “Vor!”

“How are you, Zahn?” Vor asked, as they clasped hands and did that manly chuffing thing that most Alpha males did when they truly cared for the welfare of another male.

“I’m ready to be anywhere but here!”

“Maybe I could help with that,” Vivian said as she, Kail, Rel, and Asl strolled into the room.

“Sirena, it is good to see you,” Zahn said.

“It is good to see you conscious and sitting upright,” Vivian said. She walked over to Au'revele and hugged her. “You alright?”

“Yes. Just anxious to get home and start taking care of Alexandrus. Speaking of, where is he?”

Vivian rolled her eyes. “He’s running things in Eula’s quarters. And with Kitty by his side, I’m fairly certain that no one stands a chance but him and Kitty.”

“Kitty has met him, then,” Zahn said.

“Yes. Turns out Kitty has a girlfriend,” Vivian said. “But once he figured out that Alexandrus had arrived, he sat completely enthralled for all of about five minutes, then started snarling at anyone who tries to touch him other than me, Eula, and of course Quin.”

“He snarls at Sire Zha Quin as well,” Vor admitted.

Vivian laughed. “He does. And Quin is not impressed. But he’s also aware that Alexandrus is so very safe with Kitty hovering in addition to all the new security he called down from the ship that even he is more relaxed.”

“And obviously you are, as well, to have come to visit me without him,” Zahn said.

“I have no concerns at all. How are you feeling?” Vivian asked.

“I need to get up out of this bed but they keep telling me that I must rest.”

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