Medic Kaul lay on a bed in a hidden room in the tunnels; his wrists and feet were bound using the prisoners' bar bindings. It was a foot-long bar with cuffs on each end to separate the limbs. The Ramesians learned long ago that you had to keep the limbs separate, or they could find a way to escape.

Medic Kaul was oblivious to what had happened to him. After his full interrogation using the truth serum, he was sedated and taken to one of the hidden rooms where Aleigha led them. It was one of the rooms that only she knew about. Aleigha didn't show them the one that was identical to the hidden city. She wanted a safeguard for herself if something happened again.

According to the Law, after his interrogation, Kaul should have been executed immediately. Council Leader Vorik didn't want to do that in the event he needed to be interrogated again. He didn't want to miss any small detail of information that Medic Kaul might have, considering he was the leader of the militia.

Aleigha sat in a chair, watching him closely. Her eyes focused on the man who betrayed them. It hurt that he was once a friend but turned evil. He betrayed them all and murdered his own family amongst his betrayal. He had turned out to be someone she didn't recognize.

Guard Commander Drevick had ordered that whenever they entered the tunnel, they needed to use a cloaking device so they wouldn't be seen. The threat was not contained just because Medic Kaul, their leader, was detained. There would always be someone who could take his place.

Guard Commander Drevick entered the room, glancing over at her briefly before sitting in a chair next to her. "How are you?" he asked, studying her. His voice was quiet. She had been affected by Kaul's betrayal. It was not just a physical pain, it was an emotional one as well.

"Better," was all she said. Her tone was flat as she stared at the man bound to the bed in chains.

"We found more of his followers." Drevick started. "Everyone they name, we go after in order to interrogate them. Each one gives us more names. They all have been executed. Even Medic Dran was executed. We have subjected everyone to the serum. Most are going voluntarily because they know they have nothing to do with the militia. Those that fight us seem to all be his followers," Drevick told her, pointing his chin to Kaul.

"Even those so-called friends of Verion?" Aleigha asked, not even looking at him. Her gaze was fixed on Medic Kaul, who had once been her friend.

"Yes. None of the executions were public this time," Guard Commander Drevick told her, his gaze on Aleigha, but she was focused on Kaul. "In this situation, public executions would make the situation worse."

Aleigha suddenly turned to Drevick. "I apologize for crying on your shirt. I am not normally that weak, but he killed a very sweet girl and her infant. Then I think of what he did to Jada's child and what he could have done to mine. I couldn't handle it anymore," Aleigha whispered. Her eyes filled with tears that threatened to fall. She turned back to Kaul, not wanting the guard commander to see her tears.

Drevick smiled. It was a humorless smile. "I promised Jada she could be the one to execute him. It's a life for a life. He killed her baby, so she gets the right to kill him."

Aleigha, wanting to change the subject, turned to look at him again. "I'm your mate, aren't I?" she asked. The change of subject allowed her pooled eyes to dissipate slowly. She felt in her heart that he was, but she wanted confirmation.

Throwing Drevick off guard with her question, he stayed silent.

Aleigha stared back at Kaul. "You're afraid to tell me because you are the one who executed my mate. He deserved it. I would have killed him myself, but I needed him to prove that I was innocent. You're afraid I wouldn't want you because of what Merrick did to me. Am I right?" she asked suddenly. Her voice was quiet. She listened intently for his answer.

Drevick sighed. "How long have you known?" Drevick asked silently.

Aleigha finally turned to look at him. "I think I have known since you walked me home the first day I actually met you. I didn't realize I knew until recently. I think I subconsciously knew, which was why I was so defensive at first. Then you keep showing up, making me even more. I think deep down I'm afraid to be betrayed again," she admitted quietly. She didn't know what to do about it.

"I won't betray you," he whispered.

A shadow came through the door. Aleigha and Drevick looked to see who had arrived. It was Shadick and Zack who had come for their shift.

"It's our shift," Shadick told them before grabbing another sedative and sticking Kaul in the neck with it, not bothering to be gentle.

Drevick and Aleigha got up, relinquishing their chairs to Shadick and Zack. "Thanks," Aleigha told them, then walked out. She tensed up, knowing the conversation wasn't over. Because of the recent betrayal, it was difficult to take the chance with someone else.

Drevick rushed up behind her. "Are you staying in the tunnels tonight?" he asked. There was hope in his tone. Aleigha didn't know what it was for.

"Yeah. I want to keep an eye on Kaul. I'm not convinced there isn't anyone down here who is one of his followers. Just because they have a human mate doesn't mean they're not. Look at him. He had one and killed her and his own infant son," she said evenly. Having to say his crime out loud was difficult. She had to force out the words.

"I think we need to find time to speak about us," he said quietly. "When you are ready to speak to me about it. Please, tell me. I will wait for you. I will wait for you to be ready as long as you need."

Aleigha stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. "What if it's a long time? What if that time never even comes?"

Drevick's heart sank at her words. "I will wait for you as long as you need me to," he told her quietly. "I will never stop waiting."

Tears suddenly began to fall from Aleigha's eyes. She wasn't expecting such emotion from Drevick. He was filled with the understanding that she needed time. With each second, he spoke to her. The time she needed grew shorter.

As if he heard her thoughts. "I know you've been through a lot and may not be ready for another mate. I will give you as much time as you need," Drevick told her. His voice was low. He felt this was a private conversation and didn't want to advertise to the city that they were mates. If she wanted them to know, she would let them know herself.

Aleigha stared up at Drevick. Taking two steps toward him, she threw herself in his arms.

Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up until their lips were only inches apart. Aleigha wrapped her legs around his waist for support. She pulled her head back, wanting to look at him. Her arms grasped his shoulders as she looked into his eyes, seeing the mating bond. The stars shone in their depths. They were far brighter than Merrick's ever were. Leaning in, she pressed her lips to his. He accepted her touch, holding her tighter.

Their kiss deepened before she pulled away, looking into the depths of his black eyes. "I don't need to wait," she whispered. "But I do need to stay down here and make sure there are none of Kaul's followers down here that will endanger any of us. You have a duty inside the dome. I will do my duty down here for my son, my sister, and everyone else who is down here."

Drevick pressed his forehead against hers. It was an affection both Ramesian and Kreq used.

Aleigha liked it. It was as if the two were one. They stayed silent like that for several minutes before he gently kissed her and set her feet back on the ground.

"You fill my heart with joy," he told her. "I will return when I can."

He gently lifted her hands and kissed her palms. "Hold my kiss in your hand. I will return to you," he whispered, then turned and quickly walked away toward the tunnel entrance to go back into the dome.

"Drevick," she called. She watched him stop and turned to look at her. "You're my light in the darkness."

Drevick smiled. "You are mine," he said before turning and heading out toward the tunnel entrance.

Aleigha watched him disappear. Once he was out of sight, she entered the city to find her sister, who had her son Finn with her.

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