Page 40 of Fourth

“By blood, Irequest sanctuary,” Riv’En said, his voice calm but absolute. “I invoke the protection owed to those of Elaroin descent.” His gaze did not waver as he added, “My bonded mate, Maya, must be protected as part of me.”

Vaeyra’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You remained absent beyond allowed cycle count. Why return now?”

“Final Flight,” Riv’En answered, his tone holding an undercurrent Maya hadn’t heard before—something heavier. “She altered it.”

The words settled between them like something sharp and unmovable. Vaeyra studied her again, more intently now. Then she stepped closer, observing both Maya’s robe and Riv’En’s.

“You wear the colors of fear mixed with the gold of your mating bond. He wears vigilance,” Vaeyra said, voice quieter now. Her gaze pinned Maya in place. “Do you understand what that signifies, human?”

Maya’s mouth went dry, but she forced herself to answer. “I understand enough.”

Riv’En’s voice rumbled low beside her. “She knows what she is to me.”

One of Vaeyra’s attendants stepped forward, touching lightly at Maya’s wrist, abrush of fingers against the robe fabric, tracing the weave as if confirming its truth. It wasn’t painful, but came across as invasive all the same, too intimate. Then he turned and gave the Emissary a briefnod.

Vaeyra inclined her head. “That changes things. Your bond’s validity must be established because it alters both political standing and bloodline rights within Elaroin governance. If confirmed, Riv’En’s claim to sanctuary becomes unassailable under Council law. And you, human, would hold status not merely as an outsider but as bonded kin. There are protocols we must follow before we can offer the choices available to you both.” Her voice cooled slightly, becoming sharper. “Before any of that, however, there is another matter. Your vessel wasshadowed prior to entering orbit. We detected an unknown signature before your arrival.”

Riv’En’s expression did not change. “We detected it as well.”

Vaeyra’s gaze narrowed. “Why did you not report it immediately?”

“I wished to confirm its origin first.” His voice remained calm. “But it followed us across multiple systems. Ihave full scan records.”

Vaeyra’s mouth tightened by a fraction. “You will submit them for review. If this ship breaches Elaroin orbit, it will not be granted parlay. It will be eliminated.”

The words hung there, final and quiet. Afaint ripple of tension eased in the room as Vaeyra’s gaze shifted back to Riv’En. “You have invoked blood right. That grants you provisional status. But it does not exempt you from examination.”

Maya caught the faint shift in Riv’En’s posture again, along with the slightest narrowing of hiseyes.

“We will comply,” he said, voicecool.

Vaeyra inclined her head once in acknowledgment. “Medical evaluation is mandatory. For both of you. To confirm bond integrity and ensure no external contaminants jeopardize Elaroin systems.”

Maya’s stomach tightened, but she forced her chin up, matching Vaeyra’s pale gaze as evenly as she could.

“Fine,” she said quietly.

Vaeyra’s mouth curved in what might have been a smile. Or something colder.

“There will be additional terms,” she added, her gaze flicking back to Riv’En. “Restricted access to all central sectors. Weapons limited to defense class. And observation protocols will remain in place for the duration of your stay.”

Riv’En gave a single nod. “Understood.” Beside him, Maya experienced a flicker of something steady settle inside her. His calm wasn’t just for show. It was measured. She couldn’t tell if it settled her nerves or only reminded her how far out of her depth she was, but she found herself mirroring his stillness all thesame.

The pulse of formality settled into something quieter then, like a held breath easing just slightly after tension. Her own shoulders loosened in response, picking up on Riv’En’s stillness beside her and Vaeyra’s stance. The power of protocol had not lifted completely, but it shifted enough for Maya to catch her balance.

Vaeyra stepped back half a pace, the motion purposeful and unhurried, as though giving them space now that the formalities had settled. “We will reconvene at dusk cycle. The Council will determine your access to the genetic archives.”

Maya glanced sideways at Riv’En, but his expression remained utterly still.

The Emissary turned, her robes shifting in shades of violet and gold. Her attendants followed silently as she moved toward theexit.

Maya let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, the tension easing from her. Relief flickered through her, quiet but undeniable, followed almost immediately by a new uncertainty pressing in its place. She forced herself to remember that dusk cycle wasn’t an ending. It was just a new beginning.

Whatever decision the Council made next, it would change everything—for her, for Riv’En, and for whatever waited in the shadows outside their orbit.

QUIET FILLEDthe conference deck when they returned for dusk cycle. Maya stood beside Riv’En, her robe a steady, unmistakable gold now. There was no flicker of fear anymore, only that steady awareness of him at herside.

The ambient lighting had shifted again, deep silver layered with pale gold, reflective of Elaroin formal gatherings, according to Riv’En.

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