Sagan knew Korac was hiding something, but she trusted him to bring her in on it when he was ready. Until then, she’d try to keep his mind on their honeymoon for the next two days. Still, work kept diverting them.

“So, I know I ask every day, but she’s one of my favorite girls. How is Pehton?” Sagan asked, straightening one corner of their blanket.

They’d spread it out beneath the cedars and pines, shading their hot springs. That’s right. Their hot springs. The very first spot they’d made their own on Earth. It smelled of home here, evergreen and fresh air.

Korac elicited a delighted sound from Sagan as he held a bunch of grapes for her to eat. She was always here for eating, even naked in the woods.

In her favorite snuggle pose, Korac laid beside her. He smirked as she took a bite and he said, “Once Matt and Lucy discovered I had assigned Pehton and Bones to spy on them, the annihilation squad invited my dynamic duo to join them for the next phase of their quest.”

The Razor wannabe types were sending the Shadow on a wild goose chase. Sagan was sure of it. She munched another grape and asked, “Are we sure it’s a good idea to pursue this lead? I feel like we’re running in circles to find Celindria.”

A bewildered look crossed Korac’s face as he said, “I agree. But the alternative is waiting for her to come to us. I don’t enjoy imagining the circumstances under which she’ll feel confident enough to do so.”

Almost to comfort himself, Korac traced the grapes down Sagan’s neck, over her breast, across her stomach, and back up again. It was so light it made her shiver, which only made his smirk more crooked. She sighed, admitting, “I want to help.”

Korac’s expression softened as he shook his head. “You work too much as it is, and you deserve a break. T.a.o. is helping in your place.”

“You’re right, of course.” Sagan smiled and said, “Echo’s having such a great time with your mom. She has this special baby smile for her grandmother. It makes me wish my mom were still with us.”

Korac set down the grapes and offered a consoling look. “I wish I could’ve met her.”

The thought made Sagan cackled, and it startled Korac into raising his brow. She said, “Sorry. It’s just… Mom would’ve fought me for you.”

Oh, that laugh from him was precious to Sagan, until Korac held up a finger, saying, “Pehton’s calling.” He laid back and moved closer so Sagan would be in the view when he answered. “Hello, General Warden.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Pehton blinked before she managed, “Are you… Are you two naked answering my call like this?!”

Sagan giggled. “Yes.”

Korac kissed her cheek and smirked at the projection.

With a roll of her eyes, Pehton went straight to the point. “The head honcho Icarus is calling us all in for obligatory movie night, and I was wondering if you two were joining.”

Korac chuffed. “When?”

“Tomorrow night.”

At Korac’s groan, Sagan snickered as she said, “He’s not giving much notice, is he?”

Bones came on the line next, looking anywhere but at Sagan and Korac. “It was Kyle’s idea. He wants a chance to see Bethany and brief us on what he found in Razor’s memory.”

Pehton added, “And I figured you’d want to hear the news about a massive Icarus and a Rayne tribute stealing the thunder at a sporting event on Cinder. I didn’t know it, but one of the vice lords has reestablished your training course, Korac.”

Again, his brows went up. “Really?”

Sagan couldn’t contain her excitement while asking, “Will you and Xelan race it again?”

But Korac wasn’t listening. To anyone. Sagan recognized the faraway look on his face. It was more of the secrecy he was keeping from her.

When Sagan touched his arm, Korac blinked out of it and offered her a reassuring smirk. “I think you can count on it, amos.”

Bones admitted, “I’m looking forward to movie night.” And seeing Para hung in the air.

They were so cute. It made Sagan smile for him.

Pehton beamed without a word, obviously thinking of seeing Caedes.

Sagan turned so she could see Korac head-on as she said, “I think our honeymoon is ending early, regardless of ‘rest.’”

He looked at the projection to say, “Give us a second. I’ll call you back.” When they disappeared, Korac let Sagan see so much love in his eyes. “We can say no and stay like this…” He trailed those grapes across her breast again. “For two more days.”

“You married a soldier, Korac. I know you know what it means.” Sagan dipped her chin and munched on another grape.

Admiration. That’s how he looked at her before saying, “I’ll call them back.”

Bones answered the call with a question. “So, what’s the verdict?”

Sagan said, “We’ll be there.”

There was a softening to Pehton as she confessed, “Looking forward to seeing you two.”

Korac snorted. “It’s been five days since Xelan trapped us in the stronghold, and you’re already missing me? Hasn’t Caedes cured you of that crush, yet, my tiny, bossy redhead—”

Pehton ended the call so abruptly, Sagan laughed outright before admonishing him. “Go easy on her. You’re tough to get over.”

“Just ask our Co-Emperor.” Korac bounced his brows with entirely too much cockiness.

Sagan swatted him and warned, “Tameka will kill you if she ever sees you’re telling the truth.”

He chuckled.

With a heavy sigh, Sagan made to sit up. “Well, I guess we better put some clothes on—”

Korac suddenly clasped her wrists in a rough grip and pinned her back to the blanket. His expression was intense and eyes as hard as… well, as hard as him. Electric promise was in his voice as he declared, “You don’t go anywhere until I say, amos.”

A thrill shivered down every one of Sagan’s nerve endings as she gave the only right answer.

“Yes, master.”