Her hand went to her head where she had been cut. There was no trace of any injury. “The wound on my head?”
I smiled as she dropped her hand. “Gone. You had internal bleeding, so we placed you in this pod to be healed.”
Riley struggled to get out of the pod. I swiftly pulled her into my arms. My mate’s eyes met those of the Thrala healers. “Thanks.” Her gaze went to me, and I could see the curiosity in her eyes.
“Will he understand me?” she asked.
One of the healers waved his arms as they seemed so fond of doing. “Yes. You are heard.”
Riley smiled at him then gripped my neck. “You’ll have to explain everything later.”
“I will.” I looked over when Rauki entered the room.
“We are ready to return to the planet.”
APPROACHING THE CHETOKcrash site, I surveyed the area before spotting two Ixul shuttles. If they were here, their battlecruiser was definitely positioned above the planet.
We must have been on the Thrala ship longer than I realized.
I was still holding Riley. The feeling of her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, her warmth pressing against me, filled me with immense happiness.
“I can walk, Krin. Honestly,” she said rather unconvincingly.
Her head wound and internal bleeding had been healed, but she had stumbled when she tried to stand.
I wasn’t going to take any chances of her being hurt again. My mate needed to rest. And it was my job to make sure she did so.
As more Protectorate allied ships landed around us, I continued to walk toward an Ixul shuttle.
There were several hundred Warriors gathered in groups, receiving instructions from their various Captains.
I paused before the members of my crew, who had gathered nearby. The Chetok’s crew was significantly smaller than its usual one hundred crewmen, as many were still injured or worse.
Ezan cast a somber glance at Riley and myself. “The Thrala leader has spoken to the other Captains. We have already begun extracting the females.”
“Good. Continue with that. Leave the Voletti to the Thrala.” I pointed to the large group of Thrala warriors marching toward the Voletti compound.
Looking at the entire group of warriors around me, I announced, “Commander Ezan will continue to be in charge.”
I glanced down at Riley, who was watching me with a curious expression.
“Meanwhile, I am taking you to one of the Protectorate shuttles so you can rest.”
Riley shook her head. “I want to help with the rescue.”
“No. You must rest,” I asserted. “There are more than enough warriors to oversee everything.”
She sighed, scrunching up her adorable face. “Fine. But you have to stay with me on the shuttle.” She kissed my jaw. “I don’t want you to leave my side just yet.”
I nodded in agreement. “If that is what you want.” Shrugging, I looked over at Ezan.
He grinned. “Captain Krin hasn’t left your side since we crashed here nearly two rotations ago,” he told my mate.
“Two rotations?” she blurted as her eyes widened. “I was out for that long?”
“Yes,” I replied.
Ezan turned to me. “We have everything under control here. I am sure you would prefer to look after Riley right now.”
