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He cast a side-glance at his wife. The remorse burning in his eyes confused me. Grace smiled affectionately and caressed his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into the touch before turning his face and kissing her palm.
What could she have possibly done to him to deserve his vengeance, one that has remorse still haunting him today?
“Braxia has alienated a lot of former allied planets because of excessive revenge over stupid incidents. They’re not facing embargos, but they might as well be. The Braxians fucked up, yet they expect Ravik to clean up their mess. Those who want to go back to the old ways are fueling the brewing discontent in an effort to overthrow him.”
Anton’s eyes flicked to the right. I followed his gaze and saw Ravik exit the room with his guard.
“So I beseech you. During your stay on Braxia, tread carefully.”
“Your words have not fallen on deaf ears,” I said, in a pledging tone.
We quieted as Ravik approached, a grim expression on his face. His guard stopped at a respectful distance to grant us privacy.
“I must return at once to Braxia.” The nerve ticking on his temple and the stiffness of his stance expressed the extent of his aggravation. “It appears everything that could go wrong decided to do so in my absence.”
“What’s going on?” Grace said, her voice laced with concern.
“Packs of joarkals have been rampaging through the countryside, and now, it appears a large pack is moving towards the capital.”
“That’s too early,” Anton argued, his prominent forehead wrinkling in a frown.
“Exactly,” Ravik hissed. “Something, orsomeone, has spurred them into hunting a month early. And Caldes’ Guldan guests conveniently happen to have arrived hours after my departure. Pattel just informed me that they are already doing the rounds, trying to garner support from the clans for a potential alliance between our peoples.”
“That son of a krillik,” Anton said between his teeth.
“They’re trying to push you into a corner,” Grace whispered.
“Yes. But I will not allow it. Come,” Ravik said, extending a hand towards me. “We must depart.”
I instinctively took his hand. Anton signaled the waitress and told her to put everything on his tab before following us with Grace. The guards awaited us outside next to a stretched hovercar, big enough for six passengers. That we would ride instead of taking the ten-minute walk back to the penthouse expressed the extent of his eagerness to return to Braxia.
One of the guards remained in the vehicle while Tagar escorted us to the elevator, but he didn’t follow us up. As the door of the elevator opened on to the penthouse, I silenced the pang of sorrow that made my chest tighten. This wasn’t how I had pictured ending the evening. I didn’t want to see him go just yet.
But he said you’re under his protection…
Still holding my hand, Ravik pulled me after him as he headed toward the sleeping quarters. He stopped in front of my bedroom.
“Pack your things. Be quick,” he said.
“My things? But… I have a ship and crew…”
His massive hand wrapped about my nape, his hold firm but gentle. He leaned forward, his lips inches from mine. “They can follow after. You travel with me and enter Braxia at my side.”
My stomach clenched under the heat of his body so close to mine and the domineering intensity in his eyes. I realized he’d been closing the distance between our faces when the firm cushion of his lips pressed against mine. I leaned into him, my palms splayed on his chest. His tongue invaded my mouth like a conqueror, leaving no doubt about who was in command. The taste of the Dantorian wine we had drunk with our meal lingered on his breath. Too soon, he lifted his head, his obsidian eyes boring into mine.
“Be quick,” he whispered.
His thumb caressed my bottom lip before he dropped his hand. Turning around, he marched with determination to his own room a few feet down the hallway, on the opposite side from mine. My knees wobbled as I entered my bedroom and hailed my First Officer Sarah on the com.
“Sarah,” she answered.
“I’m leaving immediately for Braxia aboard the Magnar’s ship. Please have my Falcon ready and on standby,” I said while packing my few toiletries in the bathroom. “I’m hoping there’s room in his shuttle bay for it to fit. Otherwise, I will need Tommen to bring it to me on Braxia. I will give you confirmation shortly.”
“Understood,” Sarah said.
“Ravena out,” I said before ending the com.
I quickly changed into black leggings and a long-sleeved, dark-grey sweater. While it irked me to continue to hide my genetics, Anton’s warnings still resonated loud and clear in my ears. Until I had a better understanding of the situation with Ravik’s crew, and on Braxia, discretion sounded like a wise approach.
