The Forgotten Commander (The Lost Planet 1)

Rekk.

Aria better know what she’s doing.

My heart squeezes at the memory of her eyes lighting up with fierce fire as she bravely protected females she doesn’t even know. Her dedication is admirable and her expertise is needed if we’re going to make this work.

“This meeting is adjourned. Aria is hereby officially deemed Madam Commander and Alien Liaison.”

They all nod.

Even Calix.

14

Aria

For days and days, I’ve hovered over the girl’s bed, frowning like a mother over a newborn. My hand goes to my stomach as my thoughts flit to the life growing there. Everything has changed so much, so quickly, I haven’t had time to think about what it’ll mean when this one is born. I should be frightened. I’ve never given any thought to becoming a mother—not any real thought anyway. Most of my life has been spent surviving.

Now, I can’t help but feel like I have two lives to fight for.

The girl shifts restlessly and I amend that thought. Now I have my child’s life to protect, as well as the lives of all the females stranded on this lost planet.

Now, I admit to myself, it had been selfish, reckless even, to move the girl so quickly. In my rash actions, I could have cost her life instead of saving it.

“She sure looks funny,” Hadrian observes from his vantage point on the far side of the room. His words are hesitant, but he can’t take his eyes off her.

“You don’t need to stare, Hadrian,” I bite out, then soften. “She needs rest.”

But I fidget with the blanket. I’d been so sure of myself with Breccan at my side, so certain. He’d given me strength I’d never known I could possess.

Breccan, who’d come by each day since my departure to beg entrance, but I hadn’t allowed Hadrian to let him past the door.

I glance back at the girl who hasn’t woken up since we got her cleaned and changed three days ago. Her sunny yellow hair has turned limp and her pale skin has gone sickly white. I remember how ill I was after they woke me, but that was due to the miscarriage. My hand clutches the material of my dress at my stomach, my thoughts going back to my baby. The aliens had medicine, those bots, that could help her. It’s selfish of me to keep potentially life-saving medicine for my own stubbornness.

I sigh. Breccan makes being a leader look so much easier than it is. This girl’s life is in my hands. I can’t let stubbornness, or pride, color my decisions like I had when I’d brought her here. If I am going to lead—alone or alongside Breccan—I have to start by realizing when I’ve made a mistake.

“We should have Avrell take another look at her,” I say to Hadrian. Once they realized we not only woke her, but also took her, Avrell came to the rescue and he attached some machines to keep an eye on her.

“Do you think she’s sick? Could she already be carrying a little mort?” I can’t tell if he sounds hopeful or disappointed.

“I’m not sure. Maybe humans react to cryosleep differently. She doesn’t look well,” I admit reluctantly. “We should have taken her directly to the medical bay instead of bringing her here. That’s my fault. I made a big deal about saving her and I won’t let her die because of me.” Avrell wasn’t pleased at having to come to the sub-faction to look at her but he didn’t argue. Simply did what he could and then left, but not before urging me to bring her in if things got worse.

“Do you want me to carry her there?”

I glance back at the girl’s weak form. “I don’t think we should move her right now. I’m worried it may be too much for her.”

He stares at her a second longer, his face set, then turns to me and squeezes my shoulder “I’ll hurry, Aria. We will fix her.”

Smiling in gratitude, I say, “You’re a good friend, Hadrian.”

“A good mate,” he corrects as he backs toward the door.

That makes my smile widen, even as it trembles with worry. “You’ll make the best mate someday. Now go, hurry please.”

I can do nothing else to help the sleeping girl, so I leave her in her quarters until Hadrian returns with Avrell. I have to keep busy, otherwise my mind races and I grow so depressed I don’t want to get out of bed. But I can’t languish the days away getting high and letting my life pass me by. I have people depending on me. Not only my baby, but this girl too, and all the women in cryo.

The morts have treated me well, that is undeniable. But they’re still unused to humans and the women will need my help. The one not a few feet away needs me now. I will make up for what I’ve done, both to Breccan and to the new girl.