Page 47 of Captured
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rakir
Something rips inside my ribcage as I watch Juliet disappear in the dark cover of the forest. Her beautiful eyes are filled with fear as Henrick drags her with him.
I can’t follow them without risking her life. And her life is everything.
“We have to get that List back, Rakir.” A familiar, deep voice calls from behind. “Why did you let them go?”
“He has her.” I speak through my teeth, surprised at hearing the shaking in my own voice. “He could hurt her.”
Hurt her. Kill her. Take her from me forever.
The mere thought sends my exoskeleton back to its place, the black scales locking into place.
“Who cares about the human? You’re alive and we have a mission.”
“I do!” I turn on my brother, my fangs exposed, tension rippling across my limbs like a poison. “We have to get Juliet back.”
Darhk takes a step backward, shock showing on his face for a brief moment, immediately replaced by outrage. “She’s the one who shot your ship down! She’s our enemy!”
I take the step Darhk took back and stand close to him, my aggression calling forth his own exoskeleton as his skin covers with the scale. Our warriors look on, a stricken expression on their faces.
“Juliet is no enemy.” I articulate the words slowly, loud enough for all to hear. “I will take her as my Amara.”
Darhk blinks, the shock and aggression deflating in an instant. “Your Amara? How is that possible?”
The stars whispered in the void of space and put her in my way, that’s how. But I don’t say it. Darhk would not understand. His mind is not the romantic type, wired only in military tactics and practicality. He was never one to waste his time with considerations of the heart.
No, this variation of studies had been assigned only to me by Father. The Heir to the Throne could not be a soldier or a doctor or an academic.
He had to be all if he wanted to lead all.
“It doesn’t matter.” I shake my head. “All that matters is to retrieve Juliet as fast as possible.”
“Of course, brother.” Darhk eyes me with suspicion, but inclines his head politely, bringing his fist up to cover his heart. A quick glance over his shoulder and his warriors repeat the gesture, following their commanding officer with total trust.
Darhk might not be a philosopher, a scientist, or an academic, but he is an exceptional leader and his men follow him.
“That soldier who took her.” Darhk repeats the obvious fact. He doesn’t know that I couldn’t care less about a List right now, not even this one. “Tell me he doesn’t have the List.”
“He does. I destroyed the computer mainframe when the Black Star soldiers surrounded us, only Juliet was smart enough to dig the data frame from the remains of the computer.”
“Smart? She betrayed you, she betrayed us all.”
She’s our enemy. This is what my brother wants to say, but doesn’t. An Amara is a sacred companion, the female half of a Drakian’s soul. A heart outside our chest.
“She didn’t betray me.” I shake my head, waiting as my brother’s warriors gather on the shore, immediately beginning the work of recovering whatever can be salvaged of my royal cruise ship. Nothing could, but they still do their duty. “She bought us the time we needed to stay alive until rescue came. It was all a bluff. “
Nerves of steel and skin of velvet. That’s what Juliet is. A wonder and all mine. But Darhk won’t understand this, that hook, buried deep inside my flesh, anchoring me to Juliet. It doesn’t matter. He is loyal, as are all Drakians, and he will fight for her just as I would.
“She gave the single most valuable tool we ever had against the Senators back to them for our own good, is that what you’re saying?” Darhk’s gaze meets mine, direct. Almost challenging. It’s clear my brother doesn’t trust my judgment where Juliet is concerned.
“Juliet was ready to give up her own life for our cause. For me.” I straighten, glaring at my brother with all the authority of my position. “She deserves better than your distrust.”
Darhk stares at me, shock clear on his features. He blinks, then nods.
“I mean no disrespect to your Amara, brother.” Darhk chooses his words carefully, falling back to a formal speech that we have not used even publicly since my coronation as crown prince. “But I need to ask you one more question. Does Juliet know about the key?”
