They had all seen the video that was broadcast from the docking bay.
As Hix had ran off the shuttle, his arms full of a cloaked figure, his expression had been one of utter despair. The emotion so strong and apparent, Wheaton knew without a doubt that the human female was loved beyond comprehension by the man carrying her.
It was a feeling Wheaton could easily understand considering his own human bride stirred such strong emotions simply by gracing him with one of her quirky smiles.
As he watched the vid, it had only taken a second for him to imagine Poppy in his arms, struggling to breathe as he pleaded for someone to save her. In a blink, the warrior had morphed back to Hix and the bundle in his arms no longer resembled Poppy but the flash had been enough to make his chest ache.
The recording had been watched by more than just himself and Kaine.
The entire council had convened for a vote after viewing the raw footage Wheaton had transferred to their tablets of the incident. Decisions had to be made and there was no time to waste. The council had yet to decide how much intel to share with the governments on Earth, especially considering they were still completely unaware of the missing women. The formal decision on how to retrieve the kidnapped brides was also still undecided…mainly because they were unable to establish communications with the Djaromir.
They had reached a decision though regarding the man still bound before them.
“Skrammon Hix, do you have anything to add in your defense before you hear the verdict of the council?” Wheaton noted how the man stood a bit taller when addressed by his previous formal designation.
“Any regrets?” Kaine prompted, raising one brow.
“No, sir.” The words rumbled roughly from the large Skrammon as he answered. His voice sounded damaged.
Biting back a smile of his own when the paired fighters looked at Hix as if he had lost his mind, Wheaton decided a bit of clarification was in order. “Nothing to add or no regrets?” Tapping his fingers on the table, the room waited to see how the accused would respond.
“I have nothing to add and also no regrets, sir.”
“I find that hard to believe, Skrammon Hix,” Kaine replied as he spun the tablet on the table under his fingers.
“Other than not reaching Maggie in time to take the blast she suffered, I would change nothing that happened.” Hix’s voice wavered at the mention of his bride being shot.
“Why?” Wheaton prodded for the answer he wanted Hix to vocalize.
“Because if I had never left the Phaeton ranks, I would have missed the chance to meet my bride and discover the Verge’s plan for the other kidnapped women.”
“He does have a point,” Paine said under his breath, which earned a reproachful look from Kaine.
“I regret none of the decisions that brought me to my Maggie. I only wish I would have been able to save the others as well,” Hix finished. His expression remained stoic despite facing the council’s judgment.
Kaine nodded to Wheaton, indicating without words he was more than ready to end this meeting and move onto more important matters.
“Skrammon Hix, the council has taken the reports of both Paine and Rowe into account while deciding your punishment.” Wheaton watched as the paired fighters straightened next to Hix at the mention of their names.
Kaine leaned forward, his face emotionless, as he addressed the Skrammon being judged. “Your actions while on Verge Prime cannot be excused or forgotten. With your help, a human named Maggie was kidnapped from her home and illegally taken off Earth. Is that correct?”
“Yes, sir,” Hix agreed, nodding sharply.
“And by your own admission, you assisted in helping load multiple crates filled with other stolen females on their way to be sold on the black market. Is that also correct?” Kaine hammered coldly as he addressed Hix.
Wheaton saw Paine and Rowe both stiffen at the harsh words passed down by their commander although the men wisely kept their mouths shut. The paired fighters had done their duty and would be called on to help right the wrongs of the Verge. But first, Hix…
“Skrammon Hix, you have been sentenced to one full lunar cycle of probation and your level two security clearance has been revoked. You will resume your Skrammon duties on Phaeton One and assist both Paine and Rowe with the retrieval of the humans from the Djaromir. At the time that mission is completed, you will appear in front of the council for further deliberation.” With those words, Kaine tapped the tablet again, this time released the bonds that held Hix’s wrists together in front of him. With an electronic click, the link was opened, allowing his hands to drop to his sides.
The silence that filled the councilor chambers was deafening.
Wheaton watched as the trio looked back and forth between them, all their faces showing shock from the verdict handed down.
“Is—is that all, sir?”
Kaine slid his tablet across the table. The slim electronic device spun to a stop in front of Hix where he was still standing at attention.
“Not quite.” Kaine jerked his chin at the tablet. “I need you to sign showing you have heard the verdict and do not contest the charges. We will also need the signature of both yourself and your bride on the appropriate forms. The council suggests that you make haste with that last bit.”
Hix’s mouth opened and closed a handful of times before Paine bumped his shoulder against the man, knocking him out of his stupor.
“My bride?” Hix whispered. His eyes went glossy as he blinked rapidly. “I get to keep her?”
“She chose you, correct?” Kaine questioned.
“Yes,” Hix answered quickly, nodding to emphasize his statement.
Paine and Rowe let out simultaneous audible sighs of relief at Hix’s answer, causing Wheaton to bite back a smile. The two had been on Hix’s side the entire time. Their opinions on his actions were apparent from the start. In fact, the council had also received a report from Axis with a request for leniency for Hix.
Once all the reports had been sifted through, almost everyone involved had come to the same conclusion.
Without Hix’s actions the entire Bridal Pact could have collapsed. Earth was unaware of the crimes the Verge had committed. Yes, there were women that were missing, but they had a plan to get them back…hopefully before anyone else was harmed.
As it was, the council was still working out how to handle Earth and the fallout of the kidnapped women. They weren’t necessarily eager to admit that the women had been lured into their new situation using the Pact. They feared the humans would call a halt to fledgling system that they now relied upon for the continuation of their race. No, a decision had been made to keep quiet about the thirty missing females until they had more information or at least a plan of extraction in place.
As Wheaton watched, Hix signed off on the forms Kaine had laid out on the table. Once his shaking hand lifted from the touchscreen, Hix reached across the table toward Wheaton. With a nod, he gripped Hix’s arm and pumped once.
“Your bride is waiting for you in the med center,” Wheaton said. “Poppy suggested you try to be there when she awakes to avoid the doghouse.”
Kaine looked between the men, his brow furrowed in confusion. “What does that even mean?”
Wheaton saw a flash of emotion roll over Hix’s face at his words, “What did I say?”
“Sir, I know now is most likely the worst time to ask for a favor—”
Paine snorted out a laugh, causing Rowe to jam an elbow into the man’s side where they stood listening.
Rolling his eyes at the pair, Wheaton turned his attention back to Hix.
“What do you need?”
Chapter Thirty-Two
“How soon should we expect him?”
Maggie squeezed her eyes shut tighter at the pain the loud and commanding male voice caused. She swallowed hard as her temples throbbed to an internal beat that had nausea swirling her stomach. Bits and pieces of the moments before being shot began to trickle through her me
mory.
“It depends.”
“On what?” a female questioned. The voice was not as close as the men talking right next to her and wasn’t nearly as grating as the men in the room.
“On what the sentence is for kidnapping.”
“Do you really think he kidnapped her?” the female voice asked. “I mean, you were there when they landed. Did Hix seem as if he were a danger to her?”
Maggie tried to shake her head in answer where she was lying but couldn’t move.
Hix would never hurt her. Even barely conscious and unable to move, she knew there was no way he would intentionally harm her. Now, if only she could open her eyes and tell the people around her that.
“No, not at all.”
“I agree. The first thing I noticed as he ran to us was the desperation in his eyes. He only had concern for her.”
“How bad do you think the council will punish him?”
The moment Maggie heard the word ‘punish,’ it was as if an electrical current zipped down her spine. Focusing all her effort on making tiny movements, she licked her lips and swallowed hard.
“Did you guys catch that? I think she’s waking up,” the female said excitedly.
“How are the readings, Tamin?”
As she tried to open her eyes, Maggie listened as a few beeps followed the question.
“The regen bed is showing all damage has been repaired and her vitals are normal.”
“Well then why isn’t she awake yet?”
Maggie cracked her eyes open at the question, squinting against the bright lights glowing above her.
“There she is.”
Blinking her burning eyes, Maggie glared at the man smiling down at her.
“She does not look happy with you, Rodin. Perhaps you should give her a bit of space.” Maggie wanted to agree with the other man but her mouth didn’t seem to be working yet. Instead, the sound that emerged was a cross between a cough and throat clearing.
“I will go fetch her something to drink.” Rodin turned away from the regen bed and moved toward the door.
“Can you notify the council that our patient has awakened as well?” Tamin asked her, focused on the screen in his hand.
Council…Hix…punishment… Maggie felt as if her sluggish brain was playing catchup and she wanted to scream in frustration.
As Maggie lay there with tears of frustration beginning to burn her eyes, she watched as Rodin returned and handed a cup to the woman. Making her way closer to where Maggie was lying limp she smiled, “I’m Andi and I’m sure you have a million questions.”
All Maggie could do was blink and give a slightly jerky nod.
“You’re on Phaeton One and these two guys are my husbands and the ship’s doctors. Tamin and Rodin were able to get you to the regen bed in time and the injuries to your shoulder from the blast was repaired without issue.” Andi held the cup up to Maggie’s lips and held the straw steady. “Here ya go, Maggie. Take a few sips and see if it helps.”
Maggie closed her lips around the straw and sucked. Never had she been so grateful for the crisp taste of water that dribbled into her mouth.
“Not so fast, sweetheart,” Tamin warned, his words directed at Andi. “The regen bed reported her stomach was empty. Too much too soon could make her feel ill.”
“Good point.” As Andi pulled the straw back, Maggie kept her lips locked around it. “Ummm…guys? I don’t think she’s done yet.” With a soft chuckle, Andi gave in and let her drink a bit longer.
“Maggie?” The one named Rodin leaned over her, smiling brightly. “Andi will let you have a few more sips and then we will try to get you up and moving. Does that sound acceptable?”
Maggie grunted in response before holding back a moan at the nausea that settled in the pit of her stomach.
“Quickly, Tamin.” Rodin gestured for the other man to move closer. “Help me raise her up a bit.”
With Tamin’s help, Maggie was moved into a more comfortable sitting position with some pillows stuffed behind her for support. Once she was sitting up, the men bowed and left her alone with Andi.
“I’m sure you have a million questions, right?” Andi asked, moving to sit at the foot of the bed. “Before we get to those, I just need to ask you something real quick.”
Maggie nodded, grateful her stomach had settled enough for her to complete the movement without decorating the bed in front of her. “Shoot.”
The husky word was a bit shaky and more than a little quiet yet she was happy it came out.
“Is Hix a danger to you?”
Maggie almost choked at the abruptness of the question. When she tried to speak, her words caught in her dry throat. “Wha—?”
“We didn’t mean to spring it on you so fast but Tamin let the council know you were awake and I can only imagine they’re going to be here any moment. We need to know that you’ll be okay if Hix is with them.”
Maggie blinked in surprise at the speed in which Andi was able to spit all of that out. Her surprise didn’t last long though.
“He’s mine,” she croaked out after trying to think of the quickest way to express that he wasn’t a danger or anything else the council imagined him to be. In fact, if they thought she was going to sit by while he was punished for trying to make things right then they had another think coming.
“He’s yours?” Andi let out a soft chuckle. “Considering Hix made the same claim, I’m guessing you have quite a story to tell.”
Maggie nodded slowly, unsure where to even start. Just as she was opening her mouth to speak, there was a long beep and then the door across the room whooshed open.
“Maggie!” Hix rushed across the room, ignoring the others present, and pulled her off the bed and into his arms.
“Careful, Hix.” The warning came from Tamin where he was standing with Rodin and the others who had all funneled through the door after Hix.
“What is wrong? I thought the report said she was healthy.” Hix asked quickly, his hands running over her torso as if checking renegade wounds that still needed to be treated. When he didn’t find anything, he glared over his shoulder at the doctors and hugged her close.
“Calm down.” Rodin rolled his eyes, which earned a chuckle from the others. “The bed placed her in a deep stasis as it repaired the damage she suffered from the blast. She may exhibit some lethargy and nausea as a result but overall, she is completely healthy. You can go over the regen readings yourself if you need assurance that your bride is fine.”
“Bride?” Maggie squeaked out. Even to her own ears, her voice sounded fail.
One large warrior stepped forward, Maggie assumed he must be more important than the others by his more formal uniform. Pinning her with a serious stare, he raised his eyebrow in question. “Hix explained that you are his bride. Was he telling the truth, or should we reconvene the council?”
Before he had even finished speaking, Maggie clutched Hix closer. Glaring at the man for daring to suggest Hix was a liar, she rasped out the one word she hoped conveyed her stance on the matter. “Mine.”
“How about we clear the room a bit.” Andi shooed the warriors toward the door going as far as to give the important guy a nudge when he didn’t automatically follow her instructions. “Let’s give them a bit of privacy, okay? C’mon now, keep it moving. Nothing to see here.”
Maggie wanted to laugh but only managed a snarky sounding snort as Andi pushed the last large Phaeton out the door before following him.
Once they were alone, Maggie turned all her attention on the large warrior hugging her close. Breathing deep, she inhaled the scent of leather and Hix, a heady combination that she couldn’t imagine ever going without.
“Were they telling me the truth? Are you truly well?” Hix cradled her face in his big palms, and he stared into her eyes so closely that she was able to see the flecks of gold as they weaved in and out around the mossy green irises.
“I’m fine.” Maggie cleared her throat after the words. “Just a b
it foggy.”
“Let me get you something to drink. Your voice sounds as if it hurts to speak.” Hix gently settled her back on the funny-looking bed. Quickly returning with the glass Andi had offered her earlier, he held it up to her mouth.
Opening her lips with a small smile at the tenderness he was showing, Maggie took a few small sips. “Better.”
“Good.” Hix pulled her into his lap and curled her into her chest as if he couldn’t get close enough.
“We’re on Phaeton One?” she asked after a few moments of silence.
“Yes.” Hix leaned back enough to meet her gaze. “After you were shot—”
He abruptly stopped speaking and glanced away with a look of shame.
Maggie ran her fingers over his cheeks, wanting to take the worry on his face away. “It’s okay.”
Hix shook his head, and his braids swung with the action. “No, it is not. I watched you take that blast and fall. I vowed to protect you—” He swallowed hard, his throat bobbing up and down in front of her. “I failed. If you had died, I would have died along with you.”
“Don’t say that,” Maggie whispered. Her eyes filled with tears at the sound of despair in his voice. “How did we get here?”
“That is a long story,” Hix began, keeping her close as he settled more comfortably on the bed.
“Well, it looks like we have some time.” Maggie nestled into the crook of his arm, more than a little anxious to hear how everything had played out. “Wait! Did we save the women?”
Hix let out a deep sigh, causing her to sink even more into the curve of his body.
“I have so much to tell you.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
“Then what happened?” Claudia leaned forward on the edge of her chair, which threatened to give way the closer she scooted. Even Poppy, who was power eating Oreos while sitting next to Claudia on the couch, looked concerned at her shaky perch.
“Then I woke up in the med center with the docs and Andi.” Maggie finished, trying not to smile at the look of utter disappointment on the faces of her friends. Pixie and Poppy were a riot, making her laugh within minutes of meeting her. She could see why Claudia seemed so at ease with the pair. They treated her and now Maggie, like family without question.
Warriors of Phaeton: Hix Page 20
