Now, there was no going back.
But Darling was nothing, if not a brilliant politician. “Interesting concept. I would say that you declared it on us when you marched your army into our empire and destroyed our property, then kidnapped our citizens. And now we’re answering it. No one seizes my people. I don’t care who you think you are.”
“We were invited in by your own council who wanted you removed from power.”
“Were you?” Darling asked with a hint of laughter in his voice. “That’s not what I heard. In fact, I have the entire CDS who will swear they never asked for you to intervene. That you took it upon yourself to attack us.”
“Do you really think they’ll back you over me?”
Darling grinned evilly. “Since they declared me emperor, yeah, I do.”
“You have no idea what you’re unleashing right now, verikon.”
Zarya wasn’t sure what that word meant, or the language it belonged to, but from Darling’s reaction, it was obvious he knew it well.
“And neither do you, ciratile. You ever try this shit again with me and mine, and I will rape and plunder the village, and burn the motherfucker to the ground…” He looked around at the bodies on the floor. “And as you’ve seen here today, there ain’t nothing you bitches can do to stop me. Talk is cheap. Pain is free. And I’m peddling the shit out of it. So you come on and get some.”
Kyr laughed as if he relished the thought. “War it is. Good luck, Emperor.” He sneered that title. “No one will ever support you in this. You’re about to find out what happens to nations that fight alone.”
Nykyrian jerked his helmet off and moved to stand beside Darling. “You would be wrong there, Zemen. Not only does he have the full backing of Nemesis and the Sentella, he has that of my people. From both sides. Human and Andarion.”
“And you can add mine to it, too,” Caillen said as he exposed his face. “The Exeterians fear nothing, and I’m pretty sure the Qillaqs will back us, too. After all, they love a good fight. The bigger, the bloodier, the better.”
Fain, Ryn, and Chayden didn’t expose their faces, but they stood shoulder to shoulder behind Darling. “The Tavali will always fight and back the Sentella, especially against the League.”
Kyr took a full minute before he spoke again. “All of you will regret this.”
Darling smirked. “The war is on. Can’t wait for our first dance.”
An instant later, the screens went dark.
“How rude!” Jayne tsked. “It’s a good thing he’s on the other side of the universe, otherwise, I’d have to hunt him down and school him.”
Syn let out an evil laugh. “Yes, but not rude on his part.” He held up his wrist computer. “I killed the feed. Five more seconds of looking at him and I’d have hurled.” He turned his attention to Darling. “Remind me later that we really need to send you to anger management therapy.”
Darling widened his eyes innocently at Syn as he pulled Zarya against him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Rit. I’m all good.”
“Yeah, but we’re not,” Hauk said. “We just got busted.”
Fain draped an arm around Hauk’s shoulders. “We’re not busted, little brother. Only the morons who showed their faces.” He passed a pointed stare to Nykyrian, Darling, Syn, and Caillen.
Caillen shrugged. “What the hell? I never liked feeling safe, anyway. That’s for old women.”
Jayne came down the stairs, holding Nero against her.
Darling rushed toward them. “What happened?”
“He protected me and got shot.”
“I’ll be fine,” Nero said with a grimace.
“Thought you weren’t psychic,” Darling reminded him.
“I’m not. But I know my body and right now, my head really hates you, Dar.” Nero winced in pain as he met Zarya’s gaze. “Don’t worry. You’re both fine.”
She burst into tears, then rushed to hug him in a way that made Darling jealous. “Thank you! I’ve been so scared.”
Why was she hugging Nero over the fact that she and he were safe?
Nero patted her on the back, then stepped away. “Darling? You really should show her those papers you found.”
Darling sighed. “I hate it when you do that.”
“I know. Now I need to lie down for a few decades.”
Hauk took over from Jayne and draped Nero’s arm around his shoulders. “Let’s all get out of here before reinforcements come. Kyr may be on the other side of the universe, but not all of his army is with him.”
Darling agreed. They had a lot of civilians to take care of. The last thing they needed was to fight more League soldiers with them in the way.
While the others left, Darling walked slowly toward Zarya. She looked so tired and pale. But even with those ugly bruises marring her face, she was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. “Are you all right, baby?”