**TUESDAY TEASER - BOUND BY LOVE Chapter 4**
Time for more Harvest Young! This has not been beta read or edited.
Chapter Four - Neo
Neo sat quietly as Keyno spoke to Hamza. He’d been at the hospital, so he’d missed what had transpired.
“At first we assumed they were hunting our king. Bold move on their part—beaming in during a strike, but it was logical. There was mass confusion. While Malk, Gibor, and I exchanged fire with the invaders, one managed to shoot Duran. It was nothing more than a lucky shot.” Pain flashed across Keyno’s face. “Then, abruptly, they transported out.”
“I wonder why,” Neo muttered.
“I believe the Onfre arrived,” Keyno said. “Which, at the time, we didn’t know why they left, just that they did. While Hamza took time to mourn privately, I started collecting data and conducted what debriefings I could. I found out they were actively searching for white headed males. Granted, they killed anyone male they found, but they were specifically looking for—”
“Oh gods,” Neo gasped. “They were hunting the royal family.”
“All males of the royal line have white hair.” Keyno growled, and his ears laid back against his head. “Yes, there are the tattoos on the neck, but only the white hair is inherited. Szin, of course, is the exception.”
Neo glanced at Hamza’s long white hair. Even though the tips are a soft lavender, there was no mistaking he was royalty.
“I truly believe the females were trying to wipe out the Royal family as revenge for not only taking what they consider their property, but for blowing up a battleship of theirs, which, by the way, fired on a starship of ours first.” Keyno met Hamza’s gaze. “And I must ask for your forgiveness. We were outnumbered, Hamza, and… and… when Duran was murdered, I momentarily froze. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Malk fired, killing the female who shot Duran. I learned later she was also targeting me, but… I failed my king, and I failed you.”
“Oh, bullshit,” Hamza raged. “That’s patently untrue, and you know it! I know you, and I know you would’ve given your life for him. As would Gibor and Malk! From what you said, we’re damn lucky they didn’t kill you.”
“It’s….” Stunned, Neo’s gaze bounded between Hamza and Keyno. “It’s a miracle we only lost one royal.”
Hamza pushed off the couch and kneeled next to Keyno. “I know how close you and my dabba were. To see what you did…. Keyno, I would’ve frozen too. They massacred our family in front of you. In cold blood. Please, do not, not for a unit second, think you failed. I don’t believe that, and neither would Dabba.”
Keyno tugged Hamza to his feet. Once Hamza stood, Keyno sank to his knees and bowed his head. “Thank you, my Highness, for your forgiveness. I’ll endeavor to do all I can to earn it.”
Hamza flinched. “Keyno—”
“No, Hamza. You are our king now. It’s time to take your rightful place.” Keyno raised his head, shaking his hair back, and stared up at Hamza. “I pledge myself to my new king, King Hamza!”
Hamza flinched.
Neo watched grief tighten Hamza’s features. But between one heart beat and the next, the sorrow fled. Nothing but fierce determination showed in Hamza’s stance and on his face now. And hatred. It gleamed in his eyes.
“You’re right. No more will I deny who I was born to be.” Hamza straightened. “Thank you, Captain Shou. I accept your pledge, gladly, and give one of my own: the Ne Rey will know my wrath. Now, stand.”
Neo’s world tilted. The cruelty shining in Hamza’s scared Neo to the very depths of his soul.
Keyno rose to his feet, bowed slightly at the waist, then straightened. “We stand with you, my king.”
“I would like to see my dabba, but I need to do it alone for now.” Hamza tuned to Neo. “Would you mind remaining here with Jolak, in case he wakes?”
Neo swallowed. “I… I guess. But Hamza, are you sure? That’s going to be….” Hard and emotional—devastatingly so.
“Just for now. We’ll go together later, but I need this. Please, stay with my dad?” Hamza crossed to Neo and sat next to him on the couch. He took Neo’s hand. “I can’t…. I trust you above all others and—”
Neo searched Hamza’s face. The coldness from a moment ago had retreated somewhat. It still worried Neo, but Hamza hadn’t totally shut himself off, thank all that was holy. “Love, you know every Tah’Narian would defend him with their very life.”
“I know, but… but it’s you here with him. You are my heart. My love. My everything, Neo. I need you to be here in case… in case I’m not and he wakes, that way he won’t be alone, and I don’t know how to explain how important this is to me, but—”
“Then I will be here with him.” Neo slid his other hand behind Hamza’s neck and gently tugged him closer until their foreheads met. He understood Jolak was Hamza’s dad and losing him was more than Hamza could stand. It wasn’t rational thinking, but Neo wasn’t sure just exactly how rational Hamza was right now. “I’ll take care of Jolak. I promise.”
“Thank you.” Hamza shuddered. “Thank you. I can’t lose him too, Neo. I know he’s safe, and there are guards outside, and maybe I’m being silly, but—”
“I get it. I do. I want to be there for you, but if this is where you need me, then this is where I’ll be. I love you.”
“And I love you.” Neo let his hand slide from behind Hamza’s neck.
Hamza leaned back. “I’ll be back soon.”
