Oyaz slammed his fist into his palm while he paced. This was not happening. He raised his gaze to King Xeus, who held a private council on the dais speaking to Madyx's father and Adviser Cales. To the left, Madyx sat on the white Fuyra-stone bench, his knees spread wide on which he rested his elbows. He was pale under his bronze cheeks.

A female's whimpering and sniffling gritted Oyaz's teeth. He swung his head to glare at Lady Azian. The deep purple of her ceremonial wrap enhanced her beauty. Black hair swirled around her, belying her dismay. Had she truly been violated as she alleged, her hair would reflect her emotional state. He snorted. So not intelligent to leave her hair down when she deceived. If she wanted to fool King Xeus with this silly claim of abuse, she should have braided her hair.

Oyaz clenched his jaw. The urge to stomp across to Madyx and berate him again tore through him. His mind had reeled when Madyx had presented his version. How Azian had seduced him, then when he'd left her bed, she'd screamed he'd assaulted her. He'd reacted by gripping her upper arms and shaking her, thus bruising her. The dark marks she'd used to justify her claim.

Had she spoken the truth, great dishonor would have brought Madyx and his father low. Perhaps that had been her goal from the start? Oyaz scowled. So many times he'd pondered her motives and remained puzzled.

Her goal couldn't have been a pairing. For most ladies, it wasn't. Only the Ethera could determine that. So time in each other's arms was all Azian could've hoped for. Unless she birthed a female from their...antics.

Lady Larian, Azian's mother had made demands for reparation, claiming her daughter had been sullied, demeaned, and her honor questioned.

Honor? If only Larian knew of her daughter's poor behavior. Azian had tried to work her wiles on Oyaz, but he'd dismissed her. His last sexual encounter had darkened his soul more than he'd expected for a male fresh from the planet, Gikaet. He and Madyx had known each other since they were damu, had become the best of battle-bonds before experiencing their first battle. They'd just finished their trials into adulthood. Madyx was wilder and a tad younger, his soul not yet in jeopardy. As charming as Azian, they were well suited. But no matter what Oyaz said, Madyx ignored him.

"Mistreating a female is never acceptable, no matter the circumstances," King Xeus said. Beside him, Todyx, Madyx's father folded his arms across his chest, his lips pinched.

Ice shivered across Oyaz's shoulders. This couldn't be good.

Madyx pushed off the bench and strode across to stand before King Xeus. He spread his legs and clasped his hands behind his back, trapping the thick braid brushing his heels.

Oyaz did the same, standing beside Madyx. Todyx stepped off the dais and flanked Madyx.

"To claim such when it is not the truth is also unacceptable." King Xeus gestured to the wailing Lady Azian to join Madyx.

Her cries pierced the great throne room, echoing off the painted, vaulted ceilings.

King Xeus winced, as did they all. "Irritating me will not go well for you, Lady Azian." He clipped the words and faced Madyx. "One month in the Fuyra mines and two feet of honor."

"My King, that is too leni—" A glare from King Xeus silenced Lady Larian.

"Your punishment commences now." King Xeus gestured at Adviser Cales.

"But he is innocent." Oyaz leaped in front of Madyx.

"Is he, Warrior Oyaz? When he ignored your warnings? When he expected such behavior from Lady Azian based on her reputation alone? When he reacted to her manipulation with more anger than an Etterian warrior should display?" King Xeus shook his head. "I am being as lenient and understanding as I can be within our laws."

Madyx said nothing, not even when Oyaz threw a pleading glance at him. He placed his hand on Oyaz's shoulder then trailed Adviser Cales and his father from the throne room.

"Lady Azian, please step forward."

Lady Larian dragged her daughter to stand in front of the dais. Her sniffling had diminished, but she now peppered her whimpers with hiccups. Still, her hair remained tranquil.

"One month in the omeika farms, and two feet of honor. In addition, for your dishonorable behavior—" He held up his hand when she gasped. Her hair shot out in spikes and jabs. "I have taken the rumors into consideration. Many have testified on behalf of Madyx, having experienced similar accusations from you. Do not test me, Lady Azian."

Her mother silenced her with a look.

"You will reattend classes after serving your one month. Perhaps you missed those on comportment and honor." He arched a brow. "Failure to perform well will mean a re-evaluation of your punishment."

He flicked his fingers, and two warriors escorted a wailing Azian from the throne room. Lady Larian scurried after her daughter.

King Xeus slumped and pinched his brow. "Warrior Oyaz, for your wise counsel, I have enrolled you in commander training."

Oyaz jerked back, his eyebrows shooting to his hairline. "My king?" He didn't know what to say. Madyx suffered while he benefited? "My thanks for your confidence in me, but I would prefer to serve alongside Madyx."

King Xeus met his gaze. "It is honorable to make such a request. I cannot, in good conscience, punish a male for acting as a good battle-bond. Your commander training will continue. As to Warrior Madyx, his honor lies in his hands. One month mining Fuyra rock should teach him restraint."

Oyaz pinched his lips. "Thank you, my king."

King Xeus smiled, then dismissed him.

Oyaz thumped his fist against his chest in an Etterian salute and jogged in the direction Madyx had taken. Barreling through the massive gold doors, he veered left to the courtyard from where Adviser Cales meted out the Foot of Honor punishment. Madyx had lost two feet of his braid. Lady Azian wailed as she waited her turn. Her pleas fell on hardened hearts.

"Malia pa," Adviser Cales mumbled, commanding her agitated hair to braid itself. As soon as it did so, he caught the tail and sliced two feet off the end.

She crumpled to the stone paving, her hands touching Adviser Cales's boots. The male stepped back and sauntered off, his tasks done.

He paused beside Oyaz. "Report to the battleship Phoenix."

"Thank you, Adviser Cales." Oyaz hesitated, not wanting to miss the chance to bid Madyx farewell. His father pressed his hand to his son's chest and strode off.

"Phoenix?" Madyx's breathing was ragged, and sweat dewed his temple.

Oyaz hesitated. "I have been reassigned."

Madyx twitched. "You were punished?" His cheeks darkened, and a pulse ticked at the base of his jaw.

"No." Oyaz couldn't bring himself to reveal the promotion. They were warriors, having yet to decide on their service paths. Madyx had wanted to serve Etteria as a data officer. Oyaz had no preference. Despite not showing an affiliation to data analysis, he would have followed Madyx.

"I expected better of King Xeus," Madyx growled.

Oyaz faced him, his jaw almost dropping. "It is disloyal to speak as such. He could have forced you to spend a year at the mines, Madyx."

"He acted as if this was my fault. I am sick of forgiving females for their dishonorable behavior." He flicked a hand across his shortened braid. "As a male, I must pay for it, while they can do and say whatever they want."

Frowning, Oyaz gripped Madyx's shoulder. He had the right of it, but surely he must have heard Azian's wailing? Witnessed her lose two feet of honor as well? "Did your father—?"

"He is displeased with me. I have brought dishonor on his name." Madyx laughed. "As if I could ever attain a place among our ancestors without battle. I am a data officer in training, what honor awaits me?"

Warriors lingered on the stone walkway outside the clearing. They were ready to escort Madyx to a scimitar. He'd travel to the Fuyra mines to begin his punishment.

"You, my battle-bond, will see me in a month." He splayed his fingers over Oyaz's heart. "And keep the ladies warm for me." Chuckling, he trailed a warrior.

"This way, milady." A warrior gestured to Lady Azian, spurring a fresh wave of sobbing.

"Behave, Azian. You brought this on yourself." Lady Larian kissed her daughter's cheek and flounced off.

"Mother." Her forlorn cry was ignored, and she spun, settled her gaze on Oyaz, and plastered on her sweetest smile.

He snorted. "You heard your mother, Azian. Behave."

She huffed and stomped past the waiting warrior. Her scimitar would deliver her to the omeika farms. Oyaz sighed. Madyx had received the lesser of the two judgments. Mining those ravenous fish was not a task he envied. They tainted Etteria's oceans red yet brought in much revenue as a delicacy. When eaten, their flavor took on the consumer's favorite foods. By serving omeika, a hostess could satisfy all her guests' preferences. At least, Azian would eat omeika while working on the farms.

"This way, Warrior Oyaz."

He twisted and faced the last waiting warrior. "Where is the battleship Phoenix?"

"It orbits Yithia. You will travel on board the battleship Chikara and serve under Sub-Commander Syna for the duration of your journey. Supreme Commander Xan awaits your service."

Oyaz rolled his right shoulder. Without Madyx beside him, Oyaz was lost, adrift. How he would love to kill a gika now and rid himself of this energy. Instead, he tapped his fingers on his thigh and trailed the warrior to the docking bay southeast of the palace gardens.

He boarded the kuta shuttle, typing on his Optical Data Implant, or O.D.I., embedded in his left wrist. His father and mother needed to be informed of the king's decision and on Oyaz's whereabouts.

The kuta carried him into outer space to the fleet of battleships circling Etteria. What had led to Azian behaving in such a manner? Events in a person's life altered their perception and understanding of honor. Azian's behavior, though not unheard of, wasn't the norm. Females sacrificed their bodies to Etteria in the hopes of bearing daughters. And once a daughter was birthed, the mother would remain with the male who blessed her so. But to move from male to male with no intention of serving Etteria except to incite males against each other, no, that wasn't acceptable.

Azian's beauty had blinded Madyx.

And so he would suffer.

Ina month, Oyaz hoped his battle-bond would return a better male.