“Saran, how are you doing?” he asked.
He hated to leave them down here, and he had no idea when, or even if, it would be safe for them to come out. His family had prepared the caverns as best they could, with lighting, and de-humidifiers, and temperature control, but still…it was not like enjoying the open air.
“Quite well, for a dead woman,” she said. All of the Draell-nar were dead now – as far as the rest of the galaxy knew. They’d been wiped out in a cyborg attack months ago.
“You look most healthy for a dead woman,” he agreed.
“Is there any word, my liege?”
He managed a smile. He would not take out his foul mood on her; she’d suffered enough. It still burned him inside to know that Sekari had kept the Draell-nar’s existence hidden from the other Draell for all those years. Kodran would have done something to intervene, if only he’d known.
“I am your friend, not your liege, and you would have done the same for my people if our positions were reversed. And I’m afraid I don’t have any answers yet. We have contacts within the federation. Apparently, Sekari has reported his version of events to them, and they are launching an investigation. I expect to hear from their delegates soon. We will decide what to do when the delegates arrive. Depending on how the conversation goes, we may reveal the truth to them.”
Saran looked at him with alarm. “Won’t that put you at risk?”
She was still thinking of others, even after all the danger her people had faced and everything they’d been through.
“We will be fine,” he said firmly. “And I will not force you to live in hiding for the rest of your lives.”
“And…our saviors?”
He nodded. “I am going to visit them next, but my understanding is that the medical treatments are working.”
He could see the relief on her face as he took his leave. It lightened his mood a little, and he wanted to rush to tell Rosamund about his visit here and share everything with her – but he couldn’t. And just like that, everything felt dark and gloomy again.
He emerged from the caverns, blinking in the sun, but without the promise of Rosamund being by his side, he could barely feel the warmth.