Cyra jerked awake. Her back screamed at her. Two medics had entered the room, one with the rolling cart of scissors, bandages, gloves, and other supplies.
“We’re here to change your bandage.”
“I’m not leaving,” Cyra said before Dez could kick her out.
“Yes, my queen.”
“You’re looking better,” the medic with the comm screen commented, tapping away.
Cyra frowned and inspected Dez’s skin. Not so ashy. His wounds were scabbed over. Even his eyes were brighter. “You’re healing.”
He tilted his head in acknowledgment. “For you.”
Their life would be hard, she had no illusions, but she didn’t want him to feel bad about it. “How long will he have to stay here?”
“You are?”
“His mate.” Cyra puffed up her chest, proud to be mated to such an honorable male.
“So heismated.” The medic tapped faster on the comm screen. “I’ll to have to talk to the director.” She rushed from the room. The other tech remained, cleaning the raw stump of his arm before bandaging it again. The loss of her ship was nothing compared to his sacrifice to save it and more importantly the crew. He was a true hero.
Veda burst through the door. “You can’t do this.”
“What are you doing here?” Cyra blocked Veda’s view of Dez’s injuries even though Veda was her friend, a doctor, and had already seen his wounds. The instinct to protect him was too compelling to ignore.
“Do you know what she did?” Veda moved around Cyra to the end of Dez’s bed, pushing the medic and her tray out of the way. “She gave upThe Treasure. Transferred ownership. Well guess what, we took a vote and we aren’t leaving without both of you.”
“Veda, that’s ridiculous.”
“Excuse me.” A stern man with dark-rimmed glasses and a shock of white hair came in the crowded room. “What is going on here?”
“Director.” The medic shifted her cart. “I was just leaving. This woman…” The medic pointed at Veda. “…burst in uninvited.”
“Everyone out.” The director swung his arm out toward the door, nearly smacking Veda.
She ducked and left. The medic followed. Cyra tried to tug her hand free, but Dez didn’t release her.
“She stays,” Dez told the director.
“So it’s true.” The older man’s eyes narrowed and his frown didn’t bode well for them. “Lying on the contact form has some serious consequences.”
“I didn’t lie. I discovered Captain Maejzur was my mate while traveling here.”
“Well, you’re useless to us now.”
“I’ll stay.” Cyra wasn’t sure what the consequences were that the director threatened, but Dez didn’t deserve them.
“We don’t have any facilities for married couples. As it is, the few Din’Gale and other tropical-planet workers have to share tight quarters within the entrance to the mine. It’s the only place we can keep them warm enough overnight to be able to work.”
Cyra glanced at Dez, hoping for reassurance or a solution.
“You were injured during the bombing,” the director stated.
“Yes,” Dez replied.
Cyra held her breath.
“Lost your hand.”
