“She gave herself to me, trusted me in all ways. And then I gave her to Queen Raya. The ultimate betrayal. Not only will Jamie die, she’ll die thinking I used her.”
“Stop talking with your cock and start using your head. There are three of us. Nave and I are getting nowhere trying to uncover the traitor. I hate that he’s so fucking good.” Trax paced in the small space as Nave and I watched. He was right. I wasn’t thinking clearly, couldn’t where Jamie was concerned.
“I am to have dinner with the queen and General Surano,” I grumbled. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to get any of the food down.
“Fuck. She invited you to her table? That’s a first.” Nave sounded shocked.
“Let’s hope she does not invite me to her private quarters after dinner.” I shuddered at the rumors we’d all heard about the queen’s appetite for dispensing pain while she took her pleasure. Fine if that’s what one was into, but I was not. I wanted no female’s hands on me but Jamie’s. End of discussion.
“I’m sure Raya wants to gloat about having Jamie in a holding cell. Maybe you can find out what she’s planning? Maybe we can break your bondmate out of here and get you two off this rock?” Trax stopped pacing to look at me. “Whatever it takes. Jamie’s not dying and neither are you.”
“You should be proud of her. Fuck, I’m proud of her, and we have yet to meet. She refuses to roll over for the queen.” Nave slowly shook his head. He stood and set his hand over where the crest would be if he were in his Velerion uniform.
“She is a true Starfighter,” said Trax.
I agreed. My pride in her ran deep. She’d been put to the ultimate decision, choosing between death or giving over everything that would destroy not just Velerion and Earth, but a long line of planets that the queen intended to conquer.
“You realize if I betray the queen and take Jamie, you two are as good as dead.”
Trax nodded. “Then we’ll just have to go with you.”
“What about finding the traitor? You’ll be throwing away months of work.”
“Fuck him,” Nave said. “We’ll still get him. It’ll just take a little longer.”