Ice Baron (Ice Chronicles, Book One (science fiction romance)) by Jennette Green Page A

the enemy.
Afterward, he shoved a laser into my hand and ordered me to shoot every dead
soldier I saw, right in the brain.” His eyes closed. “For the next two months,
I followed behind the battles. I shot every enemy soldier, dead or alive.” His
eyes opened, and they appeared black. “I don’t like to kill, Anya. But in war,
men kill, or they die. Onred must die, or he will continue to murder innocents.
Do you understand?”
    “Yes,” she whispered. His
rationale was brutal and merciless…but necessary. She didn’t like it, but could
accept it.
    “Good.” To her shock, he tugged
her fist to his firm lips and kissed the back of her fingers. Her breath caught
with surprised pleasure. She didn’t move, or speak, for fear of losing the
sensation of his warm breath on her skin.
    “Come.” Lisa’s sharp voice
interrupted. “I’ll bring you to your rooms.”
    Joshua released her. He rose to
his feet and in wordless silence they followed the short, rigid woman to the
electric train.
    For a second, Anya thought she
spied Richert’s wheelchair parked in a dark corner, near a potted tree, but the
electric train whisked them forward before she could double-check.

 
     
     
     
    CHAPTER NINE
     
     
     
    Anya gazed with longing at the wide bed in
the spacious, opulent room. A pale rose, silky comforter covered the mammoth
bed, and the pillows looked deliciously soft. If only she could lie down for a
few minutes. During the past three days, she had barely slept.
    All the same, Anya held no
illusions that she would ever sleep in that bed. She didn’t want to. In fact,
she would rather forego all sleep in order to rescue her family and defeat Altai Territory as swiftly as possible.
    They would have to move fast,
before Onred’s forces coalesced again.
    Joshua had left a moment ago, with
the quiet order that she care for her wound and refresh herself. He’d return
after he had spoken to Richert and her uncle’s commander about the attack. Anya
would rather have gone with him, for she was anxious to get moving on the
strikes, but that particular argument seemed a ridiculous one to fight. She did
need to take care of her wound. At the same time, it felt wrong to partake of
the room’s luxurious amenities. How could she pamper herself while her family
suffered?
    Astana was gone, and all its
inhabitants dead, all because of her foolish choice to run from Onred. She had
been cowardly and selfish. Why hadn’t she faced her future with courage?
    Tears welled. Anya couldn’t wait to
leave Richert’s city. Her life and her death belonged in the northern territory.
She was ready to die in order to avenge Astana, and to free her people from
Onred’s encroaching, murderous grip. Not for one minute did she think Onred’s
strike on Astana was the end. For years, he had wanted to conquer their whole
territory. Unless they managed to defeat him now, he would succeed.
    But for this one moment, Joshua
was right. She did need to take care of herself. Then she could fight longer
and harder.
    A medical wand and five cartridges
lay on the bed. She kicked off her boots. As she crossed the room, her toes
sank deep into the lush, creamy soft carpet. The bedroom featured all of the
newest amenities, including a micro-washer/dryer and computerized closet. After
tending her wound, which hurt a little less after applying the second healing
alpha mist, Anya stripped off her clothes, threw them in the washer/drier and
took a long, hot shower.
    Long minutes later, dark hair
combed out and a thick towel wrapped around her, she pulled her clean, dried
clothes from the micro washer/dryer, and searched the room for a sewing kit.
She’d need to mend her parka sleeve so she could safely go out in the cold
again. And fast. Joshua wouldn’t waste much time. They’d need to contact Donetsk’s military soon and plan the attacks. Anya fully intended to be a part of the
strategy sessions.
    No sewing kit anywhere.
    With a touch to a button, the
closet