Page 43 of Princess

“Nokita, help me get her clothing off,” Axel said.“I don’t see bites or scratches on exposed skin and I don’t smell blood.”

Nokita turned and followed the doctor’s orders.Once she was naked, Axel examined her closely along with Nokita.

“Nothing but a large bump on the head,” Axel said after a few minutes.“She has a concussion, and that’s what I’m going to treat her for.”

“Will she live?”Nokita asked.

“If I have anything to say about it, she will,” Axel responded.

Nokita’s shoulders slumped, and he swayed on his feet.I reached out and grasped his arm.He didn’t seem to notice.When he looked at me, his eyes held hope and confusion.

“Why did they leave her alive?”he asked.

It was a very good question.With the two Shadow Warriors gone, it made no sense.Marinah was right, though.Searching for them immediately would have left us vulnerable, and it was more important to get Maylin to medical.

Marinah walked into the room fifteen minutes later.Axel updated her on Maylin’s condition.She turned to me when he finished.

“Eagle is taking twenty men out to look for the two Warriors.If we don’t find them on the island, we know they’re using a submarine.It’s the only answer.”She paused a moment.“Rodrigo is waiting for me in the conference room.Would you like to attend?”

The rage she felt over Maylin overshadowed her angst with me.We left, but Marinah didn’t speak while we walked.She stopped outside the conference room and tightened her chest straps so her breasts were covered.Having the men see her human breasts had stopped bothering me.It helped that they didn’t stare, and now her nakedness seemed natural.Without being troubled over modesty, she shifted between forms more easily.Her Beast and Nova forms weren’t an issue because her breasts became part of the new form and weren’t obvious.It helped that the mating rage hadn’t shown itself these past few months too.

Rodrigo stood when we entered.Marinah took a seat two down from him and turned her chair slightly so she faced him.I sat across the table from them.Rodrigo appeared nervous, his fingers lightly thrumming the table.

“I’ll get straight to the point,” Marinah said.“You’ve proved yourself.You love the people on this island, and you care about the Shadow Warriors.”

“Si, Señora,” he answered.

“I am filling a place on my guard.Eagle will be assigned to Labyrinth’s position, but I also want to place someone from the island on the guard.That someone is you.When this hell is over, we will return the island to its people.That process needs to start now.”

Rodrigo turned away from Marinah and looked at me.I simply nodded.This should have happened when I was in charge.The humans needed to be part of decisions that affected them.I couldn’t think of a better person than Rodrigo.

“If you accept this offer, you will lead a contingent of men, both Shadow Warriors and humans.The inability of humans to survive a hellhound bite or scratch will keep your unit off the front lines unless it becomes absolutely necessary.I can promise that won’t stop your men and women from fighting and seeing action.Your responsibilities will exceed your current ones.You will also be the human liaison for the island, which at times may prove the hardest part of the position.Do you need time to think about what I’ve said before giving me an answer?”

Rodrigo’s expression changed.His eyes hardened slightly, but it seemed to be more with pride than anger.“You will not regret this,” he said.“I need no time.We are proud people.This change is good.”

“You will attend all guard meetings,” Marinah told him.“You will also move into the citadel.Even with you and Eagle, Labyrinth’s shoes will be almost impossible to fill.You report directly to me.”She paused a moment.“Our meetings can be volatile.You need to hold your ground when you think you’re right.Do not let the Warriors run over you.They respect you already, but as soon as you go against one of them, they will throw that out the window.Put them in their place if you need to, and that includes me.I make all final decisions after I hear all sides.”She paused again.“We need you,” she said earnestly.

“Mi madre y mi hermana, my mother and sister,” he translated, though I understood him.“I care for them at our home.Would they be welcome?”

“Absolutely.I will have someone make accommodations for all of you.They will have full access to our amenities.Do they have jobs?”Marinah asked.

“My sister, yes, in agriculture.My mother cooks and cleans and cares for us.”

“Your sister can be assigned the same job here, or she can choose something she would prefer.Your mother’s duty will lighten.If she wants additional work, let me know, and I will find something for her.Hard work with few benefits comes with your new role, but your family will be cared for.”

Rodrigo smiled, showing his teeth.He left after saying it would take him a day to move his mother and sister to the citadel.He agreed to attend the meeting the following morning, and Marinah would make the announcement.She turned to me after he left.

“I informed Eagle that he would be stepping into a guard position before he left to find the Warriors.Elright will take over Eagle’s duties with the snipers, though Eagle will ultimately be in charge of them.”

“You did good,” I said.

She released a long breath.“Thank you.”

“You fill in the places I missed.It hadn’t occurred to me to assign a human to the guard.”

“It was past time.They need to feel part of what we do.”

“Have you received complaints?”I asked curiously.

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