I focused my attention on the only person who could approve my trip. The only one who kept me from my mate. I narrowed my eyes, bit out the words, “I’m going after her.”
“You’re in Mating Fever.” The cold, calculating accusation came from behind me, not from Ryston, but from the human, Denzel. I turned my head slowly, his cold, silver eyes unnerving no matter how many times I’d seen him. They reminded me of the Hive Integration Unit who had tortured me, altered my body, put this thing inside my head that buzzed, even now. I was never without the reminder that they had broken me.
There was no sympathy in Denzel’s tone, and no room for lies.
“Yes.” I nodded, although they didn’t need my agreement to know the truth. “I was holding the fever at bay before. But having her here triggered it.”
He nodded and looked at the governor. “I’ll go with him to the Academy on Zioria. Help him find her.”
“And what if she doesn’t want to come back with you?” the governor asked.
I growled, the deep rumble filling the silence. “Then I don’t come back.” I shrugged, the answer no longer painful. I was ready to die. I’d been ready for a long time. Captain Mills, a fellow fighter and a ReCon team leader I’d worked with pre-Hive integration, had saved me even when I’d begged for him to finish me. I’d been ruined then and I was ruined now. There was no room left for fear, not for myself. But for Kira?
She could be in trouble right now. Hurting. Injured. She might need me, and I was here, half a galaxy away. She was out of my reach, and just the possibility of something being wrong made the beast insane with the need to see her, smell her, touch her, taste her, make sure she was safe and whole and well.
“No! Angh, that’s…just no!” Rachel’s voice was full of worry I didn’t need. “There has to be another way!” Her protest was well-intentioned, but I was in full blown Mating Fever and the males in the room knew what that meant. If I didn’t reunite with my mate soon, if she didn’t accept my claim, voluntarily put the cuffs on her wrists and allow me to claim her in the official, Atlan way, I’d be a monster in truth. A cyborg enhanced beast who’d lost his mind. A killing machine unlike any other.
The cuffs I wore kept me sane. For now. But they wouldn’t control the raging within me for long. I needed my mate nearby to soothe him, to keep him content. I would will the beast back, control myself until I knew the truth of her feelings.
The governor looked at Denzel. “If you go with him, it will fall to you.” To finish Warlord Anghar if need be. He didn’t say the last, but we all knew it.
I turned to assess the fighter’s capabilities, both mentally and physically.
Our gazes locked. Held. The cold-blooded killer staring back at me would give no quarter if that’s what was needed. “You have to tell her the truth,” he said.
I shook my head. “No. I will not force her hand. She must make the choice to be my mate for herself.”
“You’re willing to die for your honor?” he asked.
I held his gaze so he’d understand. “No, I will die for her, for her happiness. I will not use coercion or manipulate her against her will. I will not accept a mate who chooses me out of pity. I would rather die.” I paused, then clarified. “I will die first.”
Denzel dropped his chin in a slight bow of respect. “So be it. I’ll go with you. See it through.”
Relieved, I tilted my head as well, in thanks. “Take an ion rifle. A blaster will just make me angry.”
“I’ll bring two.” The human’s silver gaze was steady. Solid.
Yes. He would do.
I turned back to Maxim and raised a brow. Clenched my fists. “I’m going after my mate. The lieutenant can accompany me. If she refuses my claim, he’ll do what needs to be done.”
The governor studied us both for a minute. The longest fucking minute of my life. “So be it. Those cuffs will only keep the fever in check for so long. Get your mate, or may the gods take you.”