Bird of a Cage [BoW 4]

Chapter 25

"Really?" Nel'os said as Taidra passed him some books through the cell bars. Innofe stood behind Taidra, glaring at Nel'os fierce enough that Taidra could feel it on his back. "This is what you are giving me to stop me from going mad. Books? And technical manuals? They aren't even smut!" 

"I know it's not ideal, but we don't have many resources. I can talk to Wiljam and see if he has any toys which would be more interesting to you." The offer was more than Taidra should offer; both of them knew that Nel'os shouldn't be allowed anything electrical that he could use to escape. It was one of the loopholes of the Ecacp accords. They stated that high-ranking officers couldn't fight or destroy the base to escape. However, if Nel'os could make something that opened doors without damaging them, he could escape.

Nel'os huffed, his wings poofing up and making annoyed clicks in the back of his throat before slumping in a heap. "I want to talk to Wiljam about his future should he ever come across me or mine outside my capture."

Those words held a dark and serious promise. That wasn't too surprising but hopefully, like his behaviour to Cetol'n, Nel'os's anger cooled. Ryraso might confuse things too. 

"Leave Wiljam alone, k'nairi," Innofe barked, teeth snarling as if he were k'nairi himself. "Wiljam is a good man, and this was an accident. If you try to hurt him, I will,"

"Innofe!" Taidra interrupted before Innofe could say more. Threatening a caged k'nairi was not a good idea, and Command would not be impressed that a lowly civilian had promised pain on a royal. 

The sound which emanated from Nel'os was one no human could make. It was dangerous, the sound of a predator. Taidra fell as Nel'os leapt up and pressed against Innofe, chest to chest, through the bars with his talons around Innofe's neck. It's not hurting, just resting as a point and a threat in one. He was caged, not safe.

"Innofe was it? Do not forget who I am, and I know you know who I am," Nel'os said, his talons tapped against Innofe's neck. The man stood frozen by how fast the k'nairi moved, and Taidra didn't dare move. "My business with Wiljam is my own. I will speak to him about this incident. It is his choice whether that me now when he is safe or later when I am free. Is that clear?"

"You are not the boss of me," Innofe said as he stepped back to rip the talons off him, but Nel'os tightened his grip and slammed Innofe against the bars. 

Nel'os pressed forward so they were nose to nose. "Loror is looking for this base, human and now I am here. My mates will search harder than ever to find me. When they find me, I will tell them who has been respectful and who has not. Taidra can tell you the importance of having the K'nairi on your side. I might just let Loror's men skin you. I am Royalty, little human. Do not forget."

Innofe landed on the ground in the corridor outside the door as Nel'os threw him away from the bars. Innofe choked, eyes bungling and face red with fury. 

"He's telling the truth. Inai won't protect you if you threaten Nel'os," Taidra said, voice low, trying not to exasperate the situation. "The k'nairi are not people to make angry; they are the only reason we are not losing." As sad a fact as that was. 

Innofe met his eyes furious but nodded. Innofe rubbed his neck and got back to his feet,fuming. He left the cell rooms and slammed the door behind him. Leaving Taidra sprawled on the ground. 

Nel'os sat beside him with his legs crossed, his pose every inch the spoilt noble that his public personality was. "I disapprove. He's all bark, no bite and left you on the floor. Feno was a better match for you."

"That is neither here nor there," Taidra said, forcing himself into a more comfortable position. His cheeks warmed. Nel'os had only seen Innofe for ten minutes and worked out that Taidra liked him. Nel'os's ability to read people shouldn't work if they weren't in the link, and yet he noticed things like that. "Feno left me, or did Sakmi not pass that titbit along?"