Seduced by the Alien Warrior

by Hope Hart

  “This makes sense to me. What is your favor?”

  “I noticed that there’s a spare kradi close to the healers’ kradi. I was wondering if I could use it.”

  Dexar tenses. “You will sleep in this kradi.”

  I roll my eyes. “I know. I just want to use it during the day. If I could have the space to arrange my notes—thanks for the extra paper, by the way—and people could approach me, I’d be able to work better.”

  “Why do you need this?”

  “People don’t know me. I’m showing up at their kradis, and they’re immediately on the defensive. If I let it be known that I’m available to talk whenever I’m in the kradi, they might be more likely to volunteer information. Plus, it’s a pain in the ass having to be escorted all the way back in here when I forget my notes or something.”

  Dexar contemplates this for a long moment. “You will still eat with me when I am free.”

  “Fine.”

  “You may have the kradi, then.”

  I grin. “Thank you.”

  We’re both quiet for a long moment.

  I glance back up at him. “Are you going to tell me what’s really going on?”

  “No.”

  I grind my teeth. “I’ll find out,” I promise him.

  “I have no doubt that you’ll try,” he says, and I want to smack him for his smug tone. “Go to sleep,” he says.

  Chapter Seven

  Dexar

  I stalk into my meeting kradi, my mood foul. My councillors wait for me, voices low. By now, the entire camp will have heard what has happened.

  What I allowed to happen.

  When Nara approached me, I was unsurprised. The female has long stuttered around me, usually unable to speak a full sentence. Her mother, Gira, was my mother’s close friend, and I am well aware that Gira encouraged Nara to overlook many of the forms of work that Nara was more suited for in exchange for one that allowed her daughter to be close to me.

  I found this amusing.

  I grind my teeth. If I had not been so quick to dismiss the rumors of Gira’s increasing instability and the lies she fed to her daughter, I would never have placed her close to Alexis.

  Even when Nara screamed at me, pulling at the white in her hair and pointing toward her eyes, I simply growled at her to leave.

  Alexis’s brush with death is my fault.

  I take my seat, and everyone sits down. I gaze at my councillors, but I’m already itching to return to Alexis. The sight of her curled up beneath the furs in my bed felt so right that it took all my willpower to leave the room.

  “What do you know?” I ask.

  “Our spies report that Varic gathered any remaining warriors from Lafa’s tribe. It appears that he has become the new qatai,” Andon says.

  A headache begins to throb in my right temple. “How many warriors survived?”

  “More than we had expected, qatai. A number of warriors from Lafa’s tribe chose not to join with the Voildi. Instead, they left the tribe completely. Once Lafa was dead, they chose to return to their tribe under Varic’s rule. He swore he would never work with the Voildi, and since so many of them are dead, he is unlikely to go back on his word.”

  So Varic has finally become a qatai. Just as he always wanted to be.

  “Where is he?”

  Andon frowns. “That is the problem. We don’t know. He found one of our spies and killed him, leaving the body to be discovered. Then the tribe just disappeared.”

  Orcan snorts. “What do you mean, it disappeared?”

  “It vanished. Within a few hours, the entire tribe moved with no sign of where they have gone,” Andon says.

  “This will allow him to increase his forces,” I growl. “I know exactly how Varic will work. Next, he will find other tribe leaders—those with small tribes that have refused to trade with us, or those we have not chosen to trade with. He will attempt to convince them to join him.”

  “I will make a list of these tribes, qatai,” a councillor named Tagar says.

  I nod. “Once we have that list, I want those tribes watched for any sign of Varic or his warriors. Is there anything else?”

  “Rakiz sent a messenger to report that he is on his way. He would like to speak about options in person before he returns to his tribe,” Orcan says.

  “Good. Ensure we are prepared to host him, his queen, and any warriors he brings with him.”

  Brix is waiting for me outside when I leave the kradi.

  “Walk with me,” I say, and we move toward the mishua pen. “What did she do this morning?”

  “She went back to her rooms. Then she went to the healers’ kradi to see the servant. She’s still there, talking to one of the healers.”

  “I want her watched closely. Nara may not be the only one who is a threat to her.”

  Brix is silent for a long moment, and I glance at him.

  “What?” I growl.

  “When will you tell her?”

  “I won’t.” If I tell the stubborn female exactly why she is here, she will attempt to leave me. And after listening to the way her incredible mind works, I would not be surprised if she were successful in that attempt.

  “With all due respect, this is a risky move,” Brix says.

  I glance at him. “No one will disobey me.”

  He shakes his head. “If she finds out…”

  I tense, turning to look at him. “This is the only choice that makes sense. For now.”

  Brix shakes his head. “You are making a mistake.”

  I growl, watching Alexis appear in the distance as she leaves the healers’ kradi. “I have no other option.”

  Alexis

  “Wow.” Nevada lets out a low whistle. “This is a bougie-ass life you’re living. Good call on taking Dexar’s deal.”

  I grin. “It’s so good to see you. How are Ellie and Vivian? Have you seen Beth?”

  “I haven’t been close to Ellie or Vivian for a while,” she says, and I feel my face fall. “Relax, Eeyore. I’d know if they weren’t okay. I’ve been away from camp, kicking ass and taking names.”

  I reach out and pull Nevada toward the cushions on the floor of my living room. “Tell me everything.”

  Nevada places her sword on the ground next to her. “I saw Beth. She was with Zarix at Tecar’s camp. Turns out that girl is a crack shot with a crossbow. I never would’ve thought. It’s always the quiet ones,” she murmurs, her mind clearly elsewhere. She shakes her head. “We’re on our way back to our camp, but Rakiz wanted to stop in here and talk strategy and alliances with Dexar.”

  “You want something to eat?” I wave my hand at some cold cuts, which Yari placed on the table right before Nevada arrived. Nevada takes one look at the meat and her face turns green.

  I feel my eyes widen. “Are you—”

  “Pregnant? Yup, one-hundred-percent knocked up.”

  I stare at her while this sinks in. “So I take it our trip home to Earth is down one ass-kicker.”

  “Yeah, you guys will have to go on without me. But I’m still going to do everything I can to help you get home. It’s just that I’m all loved up with my sugar muffin right now.”

  I stare at her some more, and she bursts out laughing. “I know. Crazy, huh? The last time you saw me, I was ready to stick Rakiz’s head on a pike. But he helped me find Zoey, and one thing led to another. He fought beside me, and then, when it looked like there was no way we’d be able to stay together, he tried to give up his title for me. Can you believe that shit?”

  I…can. Rakiz and Nevada were like oil and gasoline, their sexual tension thick enough that most people at camp noticed.

  “How are you doing?” she asks. “Is Dexar treating you well?”

  “I’m okay. Well, I’m okay now. Yesterday was crazy.”

  I fill her in on what happened with Nara, and within moments, Nevada is up and pacing, a glower on her face.

  “I don’t get it. What was she talking about?”

  “She was
screaming. She said she was the ‘chosen one.’”

  “Oh wow. Full-blown crazy, then. Where is she now?”

  “Dexar has her stashed somewhere. I made him promise he wouldn’t kill her. She’s obviously not okay mentally.”

  Nevada sighs, slumping back down to the floor. “I’m sorry, Alexis. That must’ve been awful.”

  “It wasn’t my favorite thing. Dexar just about lost his mind.”

  “He did, did he? Has he explained why he insists you stay here?”

  “Nope.”

  “Hmm.”

  “What happened with Zarix and Beth?”

  Nevada gives me a look that says she caught the change of subject and she’s allowing it. “Oh, they’re as loved up as loved up gets. What’s that evil smirk on your face for?”

  “I have a bet with Dexar. If Zarix and Beth mate, he has to give me something I want. Within reason. And no, he says he won’t let me go.”

  Nevada’s face falls, but then her expression turns crafty once again. “Make sure you phrase that favor carefully. I need to hang around camp, and I can’t go looking for Ivy or Charlie. Rakiz will barely let me lift my sword now.” She rolls her eyes, but it’s clear that she’s delighted to be pregnant.

  “Have you heard anything about Ivy?”

  Nevada nods. “She was last seen scampering through the prexas. She managed to escape, so I’d say it’s only a matter of time before we can get a message to her or she’s spotted by one of our allies.”

  I blow out a breath. “That’s such good news. So now our biggest focus is Charlie.”

  I stand and move to my trunk before pulling out the long piece of paper I’ve been writing notes on.

  “What’s this?” Nevada asks.

  “This is everything I know about the dragon’s territory right now. Do you have anything to add?”

  Nevada scans the paper, taking my pencil and adding a few notes here and there. Then she glances around, glowering toward the door where the guards are located, and gestures for me to follow her into the bathroom.

  She reaches into her pocket and unfolds a piece of paper. “This is the map I created before I snuck out of our tribe. Ignore this part—that’s where we found Zoey. I met a guy in the market in Nexia who sells dragon scales. We were able to convince him to tell us the main places where he usually finds the scales, as long as we swore we wouldn’t sell them ourselves.”

  “And?”

  Nevada grins. She takes my notes and compares them to the tiny triangles she’s placed on the right side of her map. “These are all places where the scales have been found. If we add the information you have, this is what we get.”

  I stare at the map. Nevada has highlighted Rakiz’s, Dexar’s, and Tecar’s tribes. She’s also circled the Seinex Forest and the spot where the Braxians rescued us from the Voildi when we first arrived. The dragon had to have been close enough to that part of the forest to swoop in and take Charlie, but given the spots where his scales have been found, it’s clear that he could only have come from one direction.

  I hold up the map. “Can I keep this?”

  Nevada nods. “It’s yours. So what’s your plan? You gonna sneak out of here or what?”

  I scowl at the reminder of Dexar’s unreasonableness. “I’m heavily guarded, like the prized jewel I am,” I say, and Nevada laughs. “And unlike you, I can’t be trusted with a sword and I have no other weapons. My best bet is to somehow convince Dexar to check out this area. And I know just how I’m going to do it.”

  Chapter Eight

  Dexar

  Rakiz is relaxed, his legs stretched out in front of him as one of my servants brings him a cup of noptri. He nods at her before turning his attention back to me as soon as she has gone.

  “One of my men has just informed me that Varic is fixated on the human females.”

  I grind my teeth. “How does he know about them?”

  “I didn’t see him on the battlefield, but he would have learned about Nevada and Beth. Warriors talk, and by now, he will know about Alexis. You know what this means.”

  I nod, my mind whirring with this data. If he is searching for human females, it’s because Lafa told him why they’re so important.

  “It’s a shame Lafa is already dead. I find myself wishing I could make him suffer.”

  Rakiz nods. “Eventually, Varic would have assassinated him. From the way he has managed to win the loyalty of so many warriors so quickly, there’s no doubt that he has been attempting to sway them to his side for many months.”

  “If Varic is looking for the human females, we must find them before he can use them.”

  Rakiz nods. “I have made a bargain with Vrex at Nevada’s insistence.” The male’s mouth twists wryly, and I raise an eyebrow.

  “The rumors are true. Your female has you wrapped firmly around her little finger.”

  Rakiz bares his teeth in a happy yet feral grin. “I would not have it any other way, my friend.”

  I tamp down my envy at his obvious joy with his human female. “Vrex will search for the other females?”

  “Our agreement covers Ivy—the female with the flame-colored hair who managed to escape the Voildi.”

  I think on this. Vrex is a good choice. The warrior is larger than most and particularly dangerous. It’s rare that a warrior will have no true tribe but will instead make his life removed from any family or community.

  While Vrex was born into my tribe, he left while my father was still qatai. There are many rumors about the reason for his choice, but when asked, the warrior refuses to explain why he lives alone.

  Vrex is a tool that is used when a task needs to be completed without any chance of failure. His price is steep—a favor he can call at any time. Every tribe king I know owes Vrex a favor—to be called in whenever Vrex feels the need. Many of these kings live in fear of the warrior wanting something that they will not want to give.

  Three years ago, a tribe king named Ulix used Vrex to kill an enemy who had blocked one of his key trading routes. The task was complete, and Vrex returned home. Unfortunately, Ulix could not stand to be in Vrex’s debt. He became more and more paranoid about what the other warrior could possibly want when he eventually called in his favor. Ulix was consumed and became convinced that Vrex would take his firstborn child.

  Ulix sent twenty warriors to kill Vrex. Vrex sent back twenty heads. When Ulix’s tribe learned that he had lost his honor, choosing to kill the other male rather than keep his end of the bargain, the tribe king was assassinated.

  “Do you ever wonder what Vrex wants with so many favors?” I ask.

  Rakiz shrugs. “I rarely think about that which I cannot control. That way lies madness.”

  “Do you believe the other human female is still alive?”

  “Charlie? I do not see how this could be. Dragix has killed any who approached since before our fathers ruled their tribes. I find it difficult to believe that he kept the human female alive. Perhaps he was simply hungry. However, Nevada wishes for me to investigate this further, so this is what I will do.”

  “If Dragix does have the female, she is safe with him. The beast would never allow his prize to be taken.”

  We finish our conversation, and I get to my feet. Alexis should still be sleeping, but I have asked Yari to tell her to meet me in the Great Room.

  It took all my willpower to leave her sleeping. If I could, I would ensure she were with me at all times until I lost the sick feeling in my gut. The sick feeling that appeared when I found her naked and shaking on the floor of her bathing room, a deep scratch down one cheek, her eyes blank with shock.

  “Safe travels back to your tribe,” I say, and Rakiz nods.

  “I will let you know if I hear anything else about Varic’s location or possible plans.”

  I make my way to the Great Room and find Alexis waiting. The room is empty and will remain so until I allow my subjects to approach.

  Alexis blushes, glancing away, and triumph sweeps through
me. My beautiful female is still thinking about our kiss.

  My body burns at the thought, my hands itching to pull her close once again. That kiss was born out of a desperate need to see for myself that she was unharmed. Yet I soon discovered that kissing Alexis was unlike kissing any other female I have ever kissed. All thoughts fled my mind, my body shaking with a desperate need to roll her beneath me and make her mine.

  “What am I doing here?” She shifts on her feet, still refusing to look at me.

  I smile. I have a feeling that it is not a nice smile because her eyes widen when she glances at me before her gaze darts away.

  I am a patient male. I will wait as long as it takes for Alexis to admit that she is mine.

  “I prefer for you to stay close,” I say, and she tilts her head.

  “Why?”

  “Because that is what I want.”

  A roll of those icy blue eyes. A sigh and a scathing look. I fold my arms. Alexis may be annoyed at the loss of her freedom, but one thing became evident with Nara’s attack. Only I can guarantee her safety.

  “Lucky for you, I’m feeling curious and I want to see what happens in this room,” she says.

  I laugh and gesture to a guard, who picks up a chair, moving it close to my throne. Alexis sprawls in the chair, her long legs stretched out over one of the arms as she raises her eyebrow.

  Once again, I am sure she is somehow mocking me, and the insolent expression on her face makes me long to kiss her again.

  My subjects begin to file in, most of them staring at Alexis. She ignores the attention, making notes on the long scroll she carries with her everywhere. I haven’t missed the fact that she is now also carrying what appears to be a map, written in her strange language.

  I expect that I have Nevada to thank for that.

  I sit in my throne, and Alexis looks up.

  “So what exactly is happening here today?” she asks.

  “Tribe members come to me with petitions and problems that they are unable to resolve themselves. I also choose punishments for those who have broken tribe law and give blessings to my warriors when they take a mate.”