Knightqueen - Page 69

Carys wriggled to get down.

“Stay back.” He went to the doorway, careful not to be seen.

When he peered through, he sucked in a breath.

“Sten?”

“It’s a shuttle.”

She gripped his arm. “The Gek’Dragar?”

“No.” He met her gaze. “It’s Terran.”

Her mouth fell open. “Terran?” She shook her head. “How? The Terrans are new allies and not as technologically advanced. How could they be this far out in Gek’Dragar space?”

He took her hand. That was something he was keen to find out. They stepped outside.

He watched a pair of Terrans in dark-blue Space Corps uniforms disembark from the silver shuttle. They were watchful, with small blaster weapons in their hands.

Then two tall, very familiar Oronis knights stalked off the shuttle in full black armor, three-quarter length cloaks draping down their backs.

“Knightmaster Nea,” Sten said. “Knighthunter Kaden.”

Knightmaster Nea Laurier was tall and fit, with bold features, and her black hair in a long braid. Knighthunter Kaden Galath was her opposite, tall and lean, with short, platinum-blond hair and a haughty face with high cheekbones.

When Nea saw them, her face lit up. “Thank the stars.” She bowed her head to Carys. “Knightqueen.” Then Nea slapped Sten’s shoulder. “I’m so very happy to see you both.”

“How did you get here?” Carys asked.

“It’s a long story.” Nea tipped her head at the Terrans. “And we had some help.”

“Knightqueen Carys, I’m Chief Engineer Watson,” an older woman said. She had a no-nonsense air, a weathered face, and graying brown hair pulled up in a bun. “And this is Ensign Noth.”

The young, clean-cut man smiled at them.

Carys smiled back. “Thank you for coming for us.”

“Nea and I broke into the Gek’Dragar prison to rescue you.” Kaden pulled a face. “You ruined our plan by escaping.”

“That was you?” Sten said.

Kaden nodded. “We’ve been searching for you ever since.”

“And dodging the Gek’Dragar,” Nea added. “They’re searching for you, too. We should leave, Carys.”

Carys nodded and turned to Azulon. She took his hands. “Thank you, Azulon. Your help, and the help of your people, has been invaluable. Without you, we might not have survived.”

“We are united by our enemy, Knightqueen,” the Ti-Lore said. “And now by our friendship.”

“I vow to stop the Gek’Dragar. Ti-Lore will be free again.”

“Thank you.” He bowed his head.

“Carys, we should go.” Sten pressed a hand to her back. “The Gek’Dragar could detect the Terran shuttle.”

She waved to the kids. Malthor was waving madly at them. Beside her son, Nythoria raised a hand in farewell. Sten led Carys onto the shuttle.

The interior was mostly silver, with blue accents. The passenger seats were plush, and the Terrans moved toward the cockpit.