“Can’t help it. I take after my older brother.”
Bastien paused to meet his gaze. It was the first time Xander had said that with any kind of affection in his tone. “Family?”
Iskander nodded and held his hand out toward him. “Family.”
Bastien took his hand and held it. “I’ll never leave you, blyt theren.”
“That, I believe. You’re too stupid to have any self-preservation.”
“I wouldn’t need any if my little brother could learn to not walk into a sniper’s kill zone.”
They were still trading insults when Ember came to check on them after launch.
She paused in the open doorway to take in the sight of her beautiful man with the warrior who’d stepped in to be a role model for her son, even though he wasn’t that much older. Because Xander had known how hard it was to not have a father around when he was young, he’d made sure that Florian never missed out.
It warmed her heart and soul to see the two men who were so important to her getting along.
To see them finally as brothers.
Her eyes teared at the sight. “I take it he’s okay?”
“Unless I reconsider stabbing him, he’ll live.”
Iskander tossed a wadded-up piece of gauze at Bastien. “What hit me?”
“League. They’re everywhere. What the hell?”
“It’s war.”
Ryn snorted as he turned on the monitor. “It’s more than that. I’m thinking we’re tagged. They’re following us, so I need all of you to lock in. It’s about to get hairy.”
“Where’s Quin?”
Ryn turned the camera to show him and Myrna buckled into seats on the bridge. “Taken care of. Now batten down. Precious cargo at the helm.”
Iskander rolled from the bunk. Bastien helped him out to the hallway, where crew chairs were anchored to the wall. He buckled him in and checked Ember’s belt before he took his own seat. He’d barely fastened the harness before Ryn banked a hard starboard.
His crew opened fire on their pursuers.
“Damn, that man can fly.” Bastien passed an amused stare to Ember.
She nodded. “It’s in his blood. And if you think he’s something, you should see his mother in battle. There’s a reason they dubbed her Kirren as a call sign.”
If her abilities were anything like her son’s, he could imagine. The Kirren were mythological birds of prey from Qillaq folklore. It was said their gods would unleash them against their enemies and that no one could stand against them. They flew in with a flash of lightning and a scream of thunder, with tails on fire, raining down their acid breath until nothing was left except smoldering remains.
From what Bastien had heard about how Hermione reacted against anyone who threatened her only child, that sounded about right.
However, at the moment, they were being hammered.
Bastien glanced to Iskander. “You hanging in there, kid?”
He nodded, but appeared a little green and wan.
Bastien reached out for Ember’s hand. “You with me?”
“To hell and back.”
He smiled at what she used to say back before Alura had driven a wedge between them. And it gave him hope.
“You know, Ember, in my life I’ve only loved three women.”
“Three?” she choked indignantly. “Really?”
“Really. My mother. My sister, and you.”
Ember blinked as a wave of tender love for him tightened her throat. “Oh.”
“And I failed all three of you. But if we make it out of this alive, will you please, for the love of the gods, finally marry me?”
She laughed at the anguish in his tone. “Yes, Bastien, pain in my ass that you are. I will definitely marry you, so don’t go and get killed this time.”
“Icky? You heard her, right? You’re my witness?”
“I heard, and I will make sure she abides by it, if Ryn doesn’t kill us with his flying.”
“Good man.”
But Ryn was certainly trying. Worse, they were taking direct hits.
Suddenly, a buzzing started. Bastien thought it was an alarm until he heard Ryn’s voice over the intercom. “Um, hey baby. Little busy right now. Can I call you and Mom back in a few?”
“Ach! Are you under fire, me Wassie loon?”
“Little bit, yeah.”
“And where’s me worthless brother who’s supposed to be a-watching your back?”
“Not here. Need to focus. Love you.”
“And you.” Mack cut the link.
Wow, that was some accent she had, and here he’d thought Jupiter’s was thick.
He winked at Ember. “Wouldn’t want to be Jory when he gets that call, eh?”
She laughed, then groaned.
A shot blasted them and broke through the shields. The ship began to whistle in that unique way that meant they were venting atmosphere.
Shit …
If it went out, they wouldn’t last any time. And with the way the ship was careening, they couldn’t reach the hardsuits.
This was getting scary.
“Everyone harnessed?” Ryn asked over the intercom.
“Yeah.”
“Good. I’m going to have to set her down. Hard. Brace!”
Ember turned pale. “Are we near a planet?”