The image shifted to opaque white, obscuring what would have been a jarring image of the atmosphere attempting to burn through the ship’s shields. But that eventually gave way to the vista of the lower atmosphere. The crowd hummed with excitement as the expanse of deep blue water stretched below them. The ship continued its descent, skimming close enough to the ocean that the cameras revealed the crests of individual waves.
Captain Hawke’s voice came over the speakers again. “The island will be coming up on the left.”
Raaveen grabbed Justin’s arm and pointed at the image. “Island?”
He followed the line of sight and spotted a mountain peak rising out of the vast blue, its darker shading contrasting with the lush green that spread out in undulating hills on all sides.
It was beautiful. Exactly what he’d wish for her and the rest of the Suulh. And the place where he’d tell her goodbye.
He banished that thought as he met her excited gaze. “Welcome to your new home.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
AS KELLY GUIDED the Starhawke along the ocean’s surface, Aurora’s gaze remained on the island. Or rather, the stretch of water just in front of the island. When they’d departed for Burrow, only one ship had been anchored there. Now there were two.
The Rowkclarek sat right where they’d left him. The much smaller ship sitting alongside was the Clarek clan’s diplomatic vessel, the Kaltclarek.
Siginal Clarek was paying the Suulh a visit.
“We’re being hailed by the Kaltclarek,” Kire informed her.
“On screen.”
Siginal’s broad-shouldered visage filled the space. “Blessings on your safe return, checala.”
Aurora kept her expression neutral. The words were gracious, but his tone made her feel like a teenager caught out after curfew. She tamped down a flicker of irritation. “Hello, Siginal. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
He tipped his head in a small bow. “Apologies for arriving uninvited. After I received Kire’s message, I needed to see with my own eyes that you were safe.”
Understandable. But he was acting like an overprotective father checking up on her, something she’d never actually experienced because her father had died when she was an infant.
“We’re all fine. And eager to show the Suulh their new home. I assume you’ll be joining us?”
“If that is acceptable to you.”
“Of course.” And even if it wasn’t, his clan had built the place and the planet was in Kraed space. Technically, they could take charge anytime they wanted to. What an unsettling thought, especially in light of the comments Jonarel had made when she’d visited his cabin. Her skin felt tight. “I’ll send Jonarel over with a shuttle to pick you up. He’s going to the settlement first to make sure it’s ready before we bring anyone over. I’ll meet you there.”
“Until then,” Siginal replied. The screen went blank.
What exactly was Siginal up to? Was he really just being an overprotective parent? Was his intention simply to make sure she and Jonarel were safe? Or was something else going on?
She turned to Kire. “Report to me as soon as they’re ready for the first group. I’ll be in the observation lounge if anyone needs me.”
She was so focused on her inner debate that she almost didn’t notice Cade leaning against the bulkhead next to the lift door. He’d been sitting at the console to her left when they’d landed. Now he was standing just out of visual range of the bridgescreen. Had he purposely placed himself there to avoid being seen by Siginal?
“Mind if I join you?” His look indicated he’d picked up on her internal tension.
“By all means.”
As soon as the lift doors closed, he faced her. “You don’t look happy.”
She gave him a half-hearted smile. “I’m fine. Just didn’t count on an unexpected guest. I’m doing a little mental reshuffling.”
“Hmm.” He cupped her jaw in his palm. “How can I help?”
A very inappropriate image popped into her mind. She shoved it away, but not before a flare of answering heat lit his eyes.
“Save that thought,” he murmured.
That brought a real smile. “You bet. In the meantime, I’m enlisting you to help me sort the Suulh into groups. It’ll take a few hours to get everyone transferred. I was thinking Raaveen, Sparw, Paaw and their families should make the first run. And Byrnes. They’ve earned it.”
“Absolutely.”
When the lift stopped she stepped toward the door but a gentle tug on her wrist turned her around, right into Cade’s arms. He brushed a tender kiss on her lips.
“For strength,” he whispered.
At the moment, she’d take all the backup she could get.
CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
EXCITED CHATTER from the teens filled the shuttle during the trip to the island. Cade enjoyed their enthusiasm, but his focus remained on Aurora. Her shoulders were tightening with each minute, her body winding up like a spring.
The landing platform had been crafted out of a natural promontory in the rock that overlooked the river below. The thunder of a nearby waterfall accompanied his footsteps as he walked down the ramp behind Aurora. Siginal Clarek stood with his son next to the shuttle’s twin, waiting for them.
Cade had never officially met the Clarek clan leader before, though he’d seen him a few times at the Academy, where the Kraed had been the head of the astrophysics department. He was difficult to miss. Built like a bear with skin the color of evergreen needles that stretched over thick muscles, and dark brown hair that hung loose below his massive shoulders, he exuded power and authority.
After he’d greeted Aurora, his yellow gaze focused on Cade. “Commander Ellis, I presume?”
He stood up straighter. “Yes, sir.”
“Your reputation precedes you.”
Cade wasn’t certain whether that was a good thing or not. But at least the male wasn’t shooting daggers at him like his son. Jonarel looked like he wanted to roast Cade over a spit. Obviously he’d been clued in to the change in Cade’s relationship with Aurora. And as Cade had predicted, his hatred had soared.
Not that he was about to let either of the Clareks intimidate him. He stepped forward and extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Professor Clarek.”
“And I you, Commander Ellis,” the male replied. “The Admiral speaks very highly of you.”
Maybe that was the reason for the lack of hostility. Having the Admiral in his corner would carry weight with someone like Siginal Clarek. “I’m honored to be of service to him.” He spotted Justin exiting the shuttle and motioned him forward. “I’d like you to meet my first officer, Justin Byrnes. He’s the one who translated the Suulh language.”
“Did he?” The Kraed’s brows lifted as he faced Justin. “You must be a man of great talents.”
Justin responded as Cade expected, neither bragging nor acknowledging the comment. “I had great teachers.” He smiled at the three teens who had gathered beside him. They smiled back, though they seemed a bit unnerved by the elder Clarek’s presence.
The male noticed their discomfort, and stepped back. “Please, do not let us keep you. I am certain you are eager to see your new home.” He turned to Aurora. “I will join Jonarel on the Starhawke and help with transportation. If you have no objections,” he added.
Aurora nodded, her shoulder muscles bunching as her gaze darted briefly to Jonarel. “That would be wonderful. Thank you.” She gestured to the rest of the group. “Follow me.”
As Cade moved to join Aurora, he resisted the urge to look back. But every fiber of his being told him what he needed to know.
He was being watched.
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
JONAREL WANTED to burn a hole through Ellis’s head. If looks could kill, Ellis would be a pile of ash. Instead, he was walking up the path with Aurora.
Jonarel spun on his heel and headed for the shuttle.
His father followed. “Cade Ellis has a mor
e commanding presence than I expected.” He sounded annoyed by the realization.
Jonarel was, too, especially now that Ellis’s commanding presence was keeping close to Aurora. Jonarel’s claws itched. He wanted to challenge his adversary, but he kept his body relaxed. He could not afford to give any indication that he had lost control of the situation. His father was way too observant.
He brought the shuttle’s systems online as his father settled into the co-pilot’s seat.
“I sense a change in you.” His father studied him. “And in Aurora. Has something happened I should know about?”
Jonarel clamped down on his emotions. The tightrope of loyalty between his father and Aurora had never seemed so thin. “Aurora has a lot to think about right now.”
“I would imagine so. The communications I received from your cousins upon arrival indicated the battle was intense. They also mentioned that Ellis has been spending quite a bit of time in Aurora’s company during the journey here.”
Jonarel’s temper flared. He hated thinking about Aurora with Cade Ellis. But he also hated the idea that his cousins had been spying on Aurora. He sincerely hoped Tehar was not part of that plot.
“As I understand it,” his father continued, “Ellis is the one who allowed the children to be abducted, creating the need for a rescue in the first place.”
Technically, that was false. Byrnes had been in charge of the group that had been captured. “They were ambushed. No one would have seen it coming.” And his father’s superior tone was beginning to grate on his nerves.
“You would have.”
“They are human. They do not have our superior senses. They did their best.” He realized the irony of defending Ellis’s team to his father, but over the past few months he had developed a great respect for the members of the Elite Unit. They had put a lot of effort into helping the Suulh. It was obvious they cared a great deal. He did not want his father belittling them. Even Ellis. That was a shock.
“Their best ended in failure. It makes me wonder why Will thinks so highly of Ellis. Because of his ineptitude, Aurora nearly ended up in enemy hands.”
Jonarel gripped the controls so tightly his claws scraped the metal. “He had nothing to do with the attack by the warships.”
“Aurora was at Burrow because of him. Without his incompetence, she never would have been there in the first place.”
“Yes, she would have. Eventually we would have traveled to Burrow to pick up the Suulh. And if the attack had occurred before we arrived, the Suulh would have been recaptured. Would you want them back in cages? If we had not been there, that could have happened.”
“Better cages for them than one for Aurora.”
“Aurora can take care of herself. She has proven that.”
“It only takes one mistake, Jonarel. Only one.” His father’s yellow eyes glowed with banked anger. “And then she would be under the control of an enemy. If someone succeeded in turned her into a force for destruction, the results would be catastrophic.”
The bottom dropped out of Jonarel’s stomach. He refused to even consider that possibility. “That will not happen,” he growled. “Ever.”
“It might,” his father growled back. “Especially if she is distracted. Cade Ellis is a living, breathing distraction. One you need to remove before he destroys us all.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
THIS ISLAND WAS RIGHT up Justin’s alley.
The warm tropical air reminded him of the Caribbean. Puffy white clouds tumbled through an azure sky, providing a vivid background for the kaleidoscope of greens and browns of the native vegetation. And judging from the reactions from the teens, it was everything they had hoped it would be.
Raaveen looked like a kid on her first day of school as her gaze took in the lush foliage around them. The island on Gaia where they’d stayed after the rescue had been nice, but this place had it beat by a factor of a hundred.
Her father walked beside her, her hand on his arm to guide him. His gaze was unfocused and his upper body completely still. If he’d been solid grey, he would have resembled an ancient Greek statue, like the ones Justin had seen during a class trip to an art museum during his early years at the Academy.
Captain Hawke led the way up the smooth pathway of inlaid stone. The greenery on either side was perfectly trimmed to give the feel of natural growth while not leaving a single stray frond or branch to impede those walking on the path.
They followed the gentle incline for about five minutes before it began to level off. When Captain Hawke stopped, Justin looked for a break in the foliage that would reveal the settlement. It took him a moment to realize they were already standing in the heart of the compound.
The exterior of the buildings had been texturized to blend seamlessly with the trees and reeds. The groves lined the winding pathways that branched off in several directions from the central hub where they stood. He glanced back and discovered that what he’d mistaken for a thick copse of reeds actually formed the exterior walls for two of the outer buildings.
The main path continued forward, widening as it came to a set of steps. At the top of the steps, large double doors similar to the ones that opened onto the Starhawke’s observation lounge, complete with colorful glasslike insets, fronted the main building.
Captain Hawke led the way forward, the doors parting as they approached.
The interior was open and airy, with ventilation points around the domed top that allowed a cross breeze to drift through. Plants flowed over arches, up walls, and down the staircase. The soothing burble of a fountain beckoned, and the plush seating at the center of the room promised relaxation.
The word that came to Justin’s mind as he looked around was nurturing. Everything, from the shape of the building to the layout and furnishings, spoke of comfort, support, and love.
A gravelly male voice spoke. “Laanaa.”
The room went deathly quiet. Raaveen turned to stare at her father—mouth open, eyes wide, hand pressed to her throat.
The word came again. “Laanaa.”
This time, Justin saw Raaveen’s father’s lips move. Laanaa. The Suulh word for home.
Holy—
Not only was the man talking, he was looking, really looking at the room. But the expression on his face was that of a man who believes he’s seeing a mirage in the desert.
Raaveen, on the other hand, was one stiff breeze away from toppling over. “Dawaa?” she whispered.
Her father blinked, his neck creaking down millimeter by millimeter until his gaze met hers. A frown appeared around his eyes and mouth. “Raaveen?”
The primal sound that came out of Raaveen’s throat made Justin’s chest constrict. She placed her hands on her father’s arms tentatively, but when he didn’t resist, she embraced him in a death grip.
“Raaveen?” her father murmured again, pulling his head back slightly in an attempt to see her face.
When she lifted her gaze, tears flowed freely down her cheeks. “Uia, Dawaa.” Yes, father.
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
THE EMOTIONAL PULSE that shot through Aurora caught her completely off guard. Shock, joy, hope, fear, and confusion, all bundled together into an arrow of intensity that made her sway on her feet. Her emotional grid scrambled to sort through the sudden cacophony while her brain worked on locating the source.
It wasn’t difficult.
Standing at the back of the room, wrapped in Raaveen’s embrace, was a man she almost didn’t recognize. And why would she? This man had animation to his features and was gazing in confusion and wonder at the daughter who held him in her arms. The feelings coming from the pair intensified the longer they gazed at each other.
The rest of the group had turned as well, and their reactions buffeted her on a second wave. She grabbed onto Cade’s arm for stability. His warm hand folded over her fingers, giving her his strength.
She squeezed back before stepping forward. The group parted like the Red Sea, with Raaveen and her fathe
r on the far shore. Cade followed her, his presence a haven of calm in the sudden squall.
Raaveen’s father looked up as she approached. “I know you.” He spoke in the Suulh language, which the translator in her comband instantly reproduced in Galish. He frowned.
Raaveen shifted to his side but kept a firm grip around his waist, as though she was afraid if she lost contact he would disappear.
Aurora’s heart ached for the young woman. Months had passed since she’d watched Raaveen’s mother fall to her death, yet every detail of the moment remained burned into her mind and body like a brand. As a result, being around Raaveen was always bittersweet, more so than with any of the other Suulh.
Aurora nodded. “Yes, you do know me, though we have not been introduced.”
The translator reproduced her words in his language, and he glanced at her comband in confusion. “Who are you?”
She decided explaining would be way too complicated, so she chose to show him instead. She engaged her energy field.
He sucked in a breath. “Sahzade!” Immediately he dropped to his knees in front of her, taking Raaveen down with him. He clasped Aurora’s hands in both of his. “You have returned to us.” His voice choked with tears. The look on his face tore at her.
His energy field lit up, a much darker shade of red than Raaveen’s, nearly black. Aurora flinched at the intimate connection. She’d thought the blasts from across the room had been bad. Now she was having his tangled emotions mainlined. So much pain and sadness. So much grief and loss. So many regrets. But she couldn’t move away.
“Yes, I have.” She struggled to speak as her throat closed up. The depth of his need sucked her down, drawing her energy into the black hole of his suffering and eclipsing everything else.
Cade’s arms encircled her body, keeping her upright, but that did nothing to relieve the pressure pushing from within. She needed to breathe, to center and ground herself, but expanding her lungs had become a real challenge. There was a good chance she was going to black out. At least Cade would keep her from hitting the ground.
The Chains of Freedom (Starhawke Rising Book 2) Page 23