Page 59 of Warrior
“Good morning.” Daicon met me at the foot of the stairs. His hand closed around my wrist, tugging me to a secluded spot beside the stairs before bending to kiss me. As kisses went, it was practically chaste. Only the tease of his tongue along my lips. But it was enough to draw a soft moan from deep in my throat and make me press against him.
“Did you get any sleep?” I asked, slipping my arms around his waist, and laying my cheek against the steady beat of his heart. His pine and snow scent flooded my senses like a drug, and I felt myself relax.
Daicon shook his head and propped his chin on my head. "I'm a war chief. I never sleep before a battle."
“Don’t call it that,” I grumbled. The idea of battle meant more danger than I wanted to consider.
Daicon’s hands cupped the back of my neck, tilting my face upward. His smile meant to comfort me, but a hardened glint remained in his gold eyes that did little to warm the chill in my blood.
“It’s going to be okay, sweetling.”
“Promise?”
“I will promise you anything.”
“I just want this to be over and all of us on that ship. Safe and sound and away from here.”
Daicon glanced toward the overhead dome. I followed his gaze, noticing the faint hue of orange crowding out the gray.
“It’s time,” he murmured, folding me against his chest. I held him tightly. I didn’t want to let go.
I never wanted to let go.
Daicon stepped away from me with a heavy sigh, his hand grasping mine as we walked to the center of the room.
Chatter humming in the air like cicadas on a summer night faded. All eyes turned to the man at my side, gazes filled with equal parts adoration and respect.
“It’s time,” Daicon told them in a gentle but firm voice, his gaze landing on each one in turn. “George, remember Aljani aren’t fast. Keep moving and stay low to the ground. Wait until all the guards are off the stairs before you hit the tunnel."
George gave a solemn nod.
“Ewok.”
The fuzzy darling straightened and squared his shoulders with such rigidity, I half expected him to salute.
"Lead everyone toward the docking tunnel. Take the path through the cavern with the hot springs and stay in the shadows. Don’t go farther than the breach until I get there.”
Ewok gave a curt nod that would make any soldier proud.
The ramshackle squadron gathered their makeshift packs, passing by us in single file. Ewok brought up the rear, pausing to grin at me.
"Don't worry, kida, we'll be okay."
I bit back a small cry as I wrapped my arms around his furry shoulders, squeezing tight. Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked the wetness away. I wouldn’t do that. Ewok, George…all the children deserved my respect for their bravery, not tears of worry.
I felt Daicon move away from my side, pausing to press something small and cold into my palm.
The communicator was the size and shape of the Samsung flip phone I used to have. Instead of flipping open, there was a toggle switch to move the communicator betweendifferent channels and a recessed button to push when one wanted to communicate... or explode things.
“Do you remember the sequence?” Daicon asked, folding my fingers over the device.
I nodded, recalling the pattern he taught me last night. "On channel one, it's one press to set off each of the five explosions in the common area. Once the guards are here, I switch to channel two and hold the button down to blow up the stairs.”
“That’s my little warrior.” Daicon smiled ruefully, stroking a fingertip down my cheek. I turned my face into his hand, kissing his palm.
“I do not want to leave your side,” he huffed, stepping closer. “I wish there was a different way.”
“I’ll be fine,” I promised, kissing his palm again. "Besides, who will steal the ship if you're hanging out with me?"
