Veri gritted her teeth as she gripped the steering on her fighter hard. The Neprijat she was hunting certainly wasn’t making this easy. She grinned. Thank the goddess otherwise this would be boring.

She’d gotten the cast from Asher to return to the main fleet but she was so close. First she would catch the Neprijat warrior and then she would bring him to her prince like a prize, tossing him in a heap at Asher’s feet.

Then they would question him for the information the queen so desperately needed – where was the Neprijat home system?

But from the sound of Asher’s hurried message the worst had already come to pass – a horde of Neprijat coming from their home system to colonize – to eradicate the way of life of three other systems.

She pressed the buttons harder than necessary and watched as the plasma net wrapped around the enemy fighter perfectly – firing into the place she’d anticipated. When the Neprijat flew right into it and paralyzed his ship – Veri grinned.

They didn’t call her the huntress on Priea for nothing.

Priea…her home. Where refugees had already arrived and were getting settled in. Her mother no doubt had taken care of it all since she and Alock were fighting in this war.

Thankfully he’d healed from the wound he’d received at the Games, but Veri wasn’t entirely pleased he was among her warriors even if she knew he was very capable. It was something she would have to get used to if he would one day rule Priea…

Veri shoved those thoughts back and refocused.

“Hook it up and tow it back,” she ordered the small contingent of warriors.

They obeyed instantly and Veri checked the time. It wouldn’t take long to reach Asher with the new engines. Thank goodness the plasma net would shock whatever Neprijat were inside. Too many had slit their throats before she could get them out of their ships.

It had taken some tweaking, but she’d had the best scientists working on the problem. Veri had explained to them how they did the same with some of the monsters that lived on Priea. They were good meat and some had been kept to study.

Trapping a vicious predator was never easy.

Most would rather die than be taken so it was always tricky.

The flight back to the Core only took half an hour. Veri had spent longer than she cared to admit trying to get one of these to Asher alive for questioning. It was hard not to feel like a failure when there was a small chance they would have known about the horde long before if only she’d caught one earlier.

But Veri knew it wouldn’t have mattered.

With those numbers…they may still be able to win the war but there wouldn’t be many of them left to enjoy the victory.

She sent out her genetic code and the front lines let her pass. Asher had already moved most of the armies outside of the Core. Veri took in the warships that went on forever as she hurtled toward the Royal Rosanera.

They had billions of fighters. Their tech was being upgraded including weapons. Supplies had been stocked and were continually sent from the Core planets. She prayed it would be enough until the next shipment, because once they reached Khara there was no going back. They could plunder resources, but rationing would be necessary.

No one knew how long this would take.

Veri landed in the Royal Rosanera’s massive hangar and opened the hatch so she could jump out. The Neprijat ship was one of many they’d captured. But this time the warrior should still be alive when she had the door pried open.

Mechanics came with their tools, warriors with their cuffs, and Veri crossed her arms over her chest as she watched it all – as they waited to see what would be inside that ship.

Nothing happened when the door was pried open. It wasn’t the first time either. Only one had tried to charge them – knowing he wouldn’t survive. Veri’s orders had been too late and the Neprijat was shot down instantly.

She was the one who entered the foreign ship – she always was. Veri would never ask anyone to risk their lives in a way that she would not. Kneeling beside the prone body she checked for a pulse.

Veri grinned. “This one’s alive! Take him to the brig for questioning. Bind him up tight. I don’t want him to be able to use anything when he wakens.”

Such foolish dedication. Veri wanted to know how the Neprijat king instilled such maniacal loyalty. Or was it fear? It was difficult to tell when she assumed it was some strange mix of both. Did their powers of persuasion work on their own kind? Or perhaps just the king was capable?

It was of no consequence regardless. They would find out soon enough.

Veri loosened the neck on her armor and strode towards the lift after the prisoner of war. She couldn’t wait to tell Asher of the present she’d brought him.

No one stopped her as she made her way to the brig. She’d already sent a cast to Asher. He would make it there before she did thanks to the size of the ship.

The warrior on duty stood and bowed as she entered. Veri waved at him in dismissal. They didn’t have the time for protocol anymore and she couldn’t say she missed it.

“I brought you a present, mia principe,” she said. “The first one we’ve captured alive and another ship to add to the collection. You are welcome.”

“Alive?” Asher asked.

Her prince stood at one of the only windows and watched the stars fly by in white streaks. With the new speed it would only be days before they reached Adelina and her armies at the borders of Draga, Hai, and Khara – right where they all intersected.

“Yes, he’s alive.” Veri threw her arms around Asher, not caring if anyone saw.

The only reason she wasn’t afraid, the only reason what came next didn’t make her want to give up, was because of Asher. He would be by her side as they fought. She would walk onto the battlefield with him.

Veri had no intention of living if he died. She would make the Neprijat pay if such a thing came about and she knew Asher felt the same. Smiling up at him she gave him a brief, sweet kiss. Knowing she had him – which they would fight to the death with and for each other…Veri was not afraid.

Asher held her face a second longer than he normally would have, and Veri knew that despite his calm demeanor, her prince was worried. Whether it was his sister, or the upcoming battle for Khara that they could very easily lose, she didn’t know. But Veri gave him a long look and nodded.

She would be there for him regardless.

Asher nodded too and released her. They turned as one to the warriors who came into the brig, dragging the unconscious body of the Neprijat – bound within an inch of its life. He wasn’t just tossed into a cell; he was secured so each hand was as far from his body as possible, and the same for his feet.

Once the plasma shield went up, Veri tapped a command on her gauntlet and shocked the warrior awake.

He roared and thrashed against the bonds instantly. The only thing they hadn’t bound was his mouth, but everyone took precautions now. Every ship had been fitted with a newly-developed system that sent out silent wavelengths that canceled any persuasion the Neprijat had.

Veri supposed they would finally see if it worked.

“Tell me,” Asher said. “How many of you are left in the Draga System?”

Somehow Veri could hear her prince despite the Neprijat’s roaring.

The prince’s words instantly silenced it and Veri took a step closer to Asher when the Neprijat turned to stare at him – those black eyes unblinking.

“More than you think there are, princeling.” The warrior laughed and laughed. “You think you have a chance of winning? This is only the beginning. We’ve made sure to divide you from any potential allies.”

Veri knew it was true, but the Neprijat didn’t know about what had happened in Hai. And the Drakesthai weren’t just trying to conquer another system. They were defending what was theirs. It made the stakes a lot higher and the list of things they wouldn’t do a lot shorter.

“I need the coordinates for your home system,” Asher told him, stepping closer. “Or I will have to force it from you.”

Torture wasn’t something she enjoyed but Veri knew it was necessary, especially in times of war. When the Neprijat didn’t reply she tapped her gauntlet and sent a shock through him that was just shy of scrambling his brain.

The screeching made everyone wince, but Veri didn’t stop until she saw the way the prisoner’s back arched. She’d tortured enough people to know how far she could push them before they broke and became useless, or died.

The monsters on Priea…the uprising…it would all be Alock’s one day. Giving that up – it hadn’t been as hard as she’d thought it would be. Veri had lived her whole life waiting for the day she would rule Priea.

But now she had other goals in mind. If they survived the war she would help Alock get things under control and make sure he was settled. Then she would move to Draga Terra and become a royal princess – but more importantly, Asher’s wife.

Asher asked for the coordinates again and again. The questioning seemed to go on forever and the Neprijat lasted longer than anyone she’d had to do this to. Each time Veri gritted her teeth. He may be a monster and her enemy, but she hated this. Veri preferred a merciful kill.

“Come closer and I’ll tell you,” the Neprijat finally rasped. “But you have to come inside this cell.”

No one was stupid enough to do it, but Veri cocked her head and the Neprijat smiled at her. It wanted to die, but perhaps…perhaps she could get it to tell her. She deactivated the plasma shield and stepped into the cell.

“Set me free,” he instantly demanded.

The command rippled over them but there was no compulsion to obey.

Veri took another step into the cell, holding up a hand to keep Asher from following her in. As Hand of the Queen he was far too valuable to lose. “Perhaps I will if you give me the location.”

It took him a moment, but then the Neprijat threw his head back and laughed. “Clever little creatures, finding a way to block my demands.”

She smiled at him and placed her hands on her hips. “Give me the coordinates.”

He surged forward, slamming against the bonds and stopping only a few centimeters from her face. “Come to my home and you will be worshipped, Huntress.”

Veri didn’t hesitate or consider his words. She simply slipped one of her favorite blades from its sheath and held it to his neck. “The coordinates get you a clean, swift death. The longer you delay, the worse your death will be.”

The way he stared at her…Veri felt bad for him in that moment. She knew he was desperate – nothing more than a cog in the war machine. Would he give her what she asked for? Something deep in those fathomless depths flickered and she knew…this one just wanted to be rid of it all.

“Come closer.”

“Veri, don’t,” Asher warned. “Don’t listen to it.” The prince tried to step into the cell but Veri reactivated the plasma shield. She stared at the male before her, seeing the way he smiled, and the muscles that strained in his neck.

“Veri!”

She ignored Asher’s protests and despite the Neprijat’s sharp teeth Veri stepped forward.

The Neprijat whispered the coordinates into her ear. “Now your promise.” The strain in his voice…he was begging her.

Veri slit his throat so fast it took a moment for the blood to pour down his front, thick and black. But the Neprijat smiled at her just before sagging in his bonds.

Asher grabbed her, but she shrugged him off. They may be their enemy, but Veri wasn’t going to let them turn her into a monster she couldn’t live with. She rattled off the coordinates. “Send a probe, it’ll be there,” she told him.

Did she regret capturing the Neprijat? No. She didn’t. She didn’t regret getting the information the queen had asked for. But she wasn’t going to let it suffer – what would they have done with it anyway?

There was no way they could keep Neprijat as prisoners of war. They were not equipped for it. Letting it starve or be mistreated wasn’t something she would allow either. But…they couldn’t just let it go.

Veri had given him the only mercy she was capable of.

Not even Asher could make her regret that choice.

“Veri!” Her prince caught up to her as she strode down the hall towards their quarters, ignoring him.

She would have three days to clean up, recuperate, and eat and sleep so she was at her strongest for what came next.

His hand wrapped around her bicep but she couldn’t feel it through the armor, not really. But his grip did yank her around so she was forced to face him. “That was a huge risk,” he gritted out. “And you killed him before we could verify the location of their system.”

“He didn’t lie,” Veri snapped. Somehow she knew, deep in her bones. The Neprijat had been completely sincere with her. “But if the probe comes back with nothing then I will get you another.”

Warriors and personnel went around them in the massive hall and Veri ignored the curious stares. She didn’t give a damn what anyone thought except Asher, and on this matter she would not bow before him – she would not apologize.

“Why are you angry?” he asked softly, taking a step forward. “What changed?”

She looked up at him and considered her fierce prince. He was a warrior through and through, but until this war he’d never seen real carnage. The dark prince hadn’t had to fight for his life every summer – at constant war with a species on his planet that wanted to hunt and kill him.

“Those monsters on Priea, they can speak. Did you know that?” she asked.

Asher went so still she wasn’t even sure he breathed.

“We’ve captured a few of them over the cycles, hoping to find out why they hunt us. But they aren’t that smart. I’d say…about the same as a hound who can speak.” Veri glanced at one of the warriors, a Priean, and he gave her a nod.

They all knew what it was like to live on their planet – the price they paid for its riches.

“Torturing them was something we did for many cycles, but it’s also something I outlawed three cycles ago. Keeping them as pets or slaves is illegal as well. Do you know what it was like, torturing something that refused to give you the answers you needed? It didn’t take long to feel like I was the real monster. I won’t be doing that again. Not with them and not with the Neprijat.”

Asher opened his mouth to speak and she held up a hand. “Yes, I know that it can be necessary, especially during this kind of war. But I’m not going to torture one to death and still not get the information we need. You’ve seen how they are – suicide before capture. Have someone look into ripping apart one of their ships. They must have maps in their navigations. It’s doubtful something as precious as their home system is kept on warships. But if they refuse to talk…that’s it Asher. We will find some other way.”

For the first time since they’d started courting Asher conceded to her. “I understand, Veri. We will not let them turn us into what they are. I promise.”

“Sir?” Both of them ignored the male tentatively approaching.

This moment was more than her just standing her ground after drawing a line in the sand. This was a moment that would define how they lived their lives as Hand and Advisor. Could they work together and preserve their relationship?

Her prince was sincere in his promise – she could feel it, see it in his eyes. Veri nodded. “It’s one thing to slaughter them, but torture…”

It was inhumane.

A little pain for a few answers? She could deal with that, but never again would she take days breaking someone like she had with the creatures on her planet. And she wouldn’t let Asher either.

“No prisoners of war,” Asher murmured, pulling her into his arms. “No slaves, and if we cannot get the answers we need within reason…I will leave you to decide their fate. How does that sound?”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You’re giving me control over the Neprijat?”

“Complete control,” he agreed. “I need someone with your heart. There will come a time…I fear we will have to make some terrible decisions. So far we’ve only come across male warriors but…” Asher trailed off.

But there were always innocents.

“I will speak to Adelina on the matter,” Veri agreed. She knew the queen of all people would never allow innocents to be harmed. It didn’t matter to the queen that they happened to be Neprijat.

“Sir?” the male said again. “A privateer is waiting in the hangar with an urgent message. She said she was sent by the queen. And someone else just arrived with orders from the queen as well. A royal guard…Darius?”

The queen? Both Asher and Veri instantly turned towards the male dressed in the administrative uniform. Veri frowned as Asher growled. “Take me to them. Now.”

When it rained it poured. Veri followed after them, thoughts of a shower and rest banished from her mind as she wondered who the queen had sent.

The lift brought them down to the hangar and Veri paused as she took in the unfamiliar starship. It was much smaller than the royal warship, but it still took up enough space not much else could fit here. Even Asher paused.

“The Ravager,” he murmured.

Veri couldn’t help her smile at his childlike appreciation and awe. Though it was a wonder of a ship. As was the female who waited for them.

A much smaller ship had a male who looked vaguely familiar striding down the ramp. He looked confused to see the pirate captain but didn’t say anything. “The queen mother said Queen Adelina wanted me to see you?”

Then it clicked. Darius was the royal guard who’d been inhabited by a Neprijat consciousness while he was Raena’s personal guard. Adelina wanted Asher to question him about what he remembered.

And if Delphine was here then she had intel Adelina deemed too important to risk over a transmission. Exact coordinates, outposts, and patrols no doubt – precise plans of attack to retake Khara.

Veri was about to open her mouth when the Royal Rosanera shuddered so hard she stumbled and fell. “What in the bloody hells was that?” she asked, looking to Asher for answers.

Then the alarm sounded and Veri knew. She didn’t wait for Asher’s reply. She ran to one of the smaller warships – her favorite. Veri tapped her gauntlet as she ran and ordered her personal legion to her.

Asher grabbed her and pulled her back for a brief moment to kiss the very breath from her body. “Happy hunting,” he murmured, and then pushed her toward the ship.

Veri memorized the way he tasted and tucked it close to her heart.

The Neprijat were attacking, and this time…this time Veri wanted that victory.