Selati, a big construct forced to work in the cobalt mines of Ilmare, is terrified of the overseers. Danger dogs his every breath, somehow the leader of his ragged work crew, and he finally has enough when the mine itself almost kills him. Humans or no humans, he refuses to let his crew die down in the dark. As his crew takes their stand in their bid for freedom, rescue comes. Freedom in the light and a whole new life awaits.<br><br>It’s a duty Aleledai takes great pride in, saving his fellow Caniean. Humans might have created them to mine and nothing more, but like all things, the Caniean are not the mindless beasts humans intended to work to death for resources. Selati’s rescue is probably his greatest accomplishment, because something about this one becomes everything Aleledai was missing, that made freedom perfect.<br><br>Humans don’t let go of their things easily, though and war is coming, no matter what the Caniean want. The price of freedom is always high. Aleledai only hopes the price isn’t everything he’s found worth living for.

A Soldier's Horizon

Greed was a foreign concept. There wasn’t any room for the emotion in the mines, nothing to hoard from others, not even food. They were brothers and that meant taking care of one’s brothers. Aleledai was different though. He gave his affection and love to Selati, and no other had a claim on his All. Hot shame touched the edges of his cheeks. Selati turned his face into the dark curtain of Aleledai’s long hair.


Aleledai’s fingers carded through Selati’s ragged, short hair. “Are you well?” Aleledai asked.


“Yes,” Selati whispered into his lover’s hair. “I realized I have a selfish streak when it comes to you and I shouldn’t.”


Aleledai’s chuckle brought a smile to his face, the breezy sound welcomed like a caress. “I like it,” Aleledai confided in him. “Your feelings prove, better than anything else, you desire me the way I desire you.”


Chapter 27