Horrified green eyes stared back at his father.
Come on. Hadn't he proved his point? If he moved for Kira again, Zayne couldn't stay here on the ground.
“You'll return to the prison tonight.” The High General's upper lip curled with fury.
She'd be alone there. Locked away.
“Follow orders next time.”
No one spoke or moved. A twitch might push his father back into action.
But the man turned on his heel and stormed out of the room. All three of them remained frozen while the heavy steps disappeared down the hall.
Zayne breathed out and let himself fall limp, riding out the pain pulsing throughout his body.
Kira scooted backward toward him, watching Luke.
His older brother walked closer. If not for the way he watched them, Zayne would have pulled Kira behind him, but he knew not to show much he cared.
She bristled with each step he took, scooting back to block Zayne.
His brother knelt and extended a hand, but Zayne and Kira only stared. Bloody claw marks cut through his forearm from Kira's nails. A heavy sigh fell from his brother's mouth, and he rose back to his full height.
Without a word, he walked out, closing the door behind him.
Kira twisted around for Zayne then, face splotchy from crying. “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.”
Breathing out slowly, he pushed himself up to a sitting position, swallowing down the pain so Kira didn't see.
“Just rest,” she said, putting her hands out. “Please.”
“I'm fine.”
“This is my fault.” Her hand covered her mouth. “I'm so sorry.” Pulling her sleeve down, she pressed it to his lip gently, dabbing at the blood. “I didn't think he'd hurt you. I didn't—”
Zayne clasped her hand, eyes on hers, and lowered it from his face. “It's nothing. I've had worse sparring.”
“Zayne,” she whispered, sniffling.
“Any blood on my back?”
Looking behind him, she shook her head. “No.”
“Good.”
She'd be devastated returning to the prison, and he feared the Phaedra wouldn't be satisfied with his father's response. There was no telling what he'd do to Kira.
And Mom? How would she handle this?
“Kira,” he said, throat aching. “It's going to be hard going back. I know that, but—”
“I'm fine too,” she said, eyes back on the blood drying on his chin. “I knew the cost. Maybe I'm just a fool.” This time, when she lifted her sleeve, he didn't stop her. She cleaned the blood from his chin and lips. “All I did was get you hurt.”
So badly he wanted to tell her those seconds she stalled her mother saved the Followers. Kira slowed Becka down, and that gave the United enough time to regain their connection.
Someone might be listening though. So, Zayne could only shake his head no.
The terrible consequences reverberated through his mind. No longer would she be here with the comfort of a woman who loved her. Now Kira would sleep alone in that empty cell and wake just the same.
