Sydney studied Takkeo, hoping he wasn’t running off to tell Jakke.
“Hurry,” she finally said.
Chapter 19
Sydney
Five minutes later, Takkeo returned.
Heading out, there was no one in the hallway. With every step, Sydney’s heart cracked a little more. But Jakke had left her no choice.
“This way,” Takkeo instructed, turning left toward a plain door made of light-colored wood. It wasn’t as expensive as the others.
Maybe a servant’s door?
When she stepped outside, the sunlight blinded her. Shielding her eyes with one hand, she saw beautiful bushes with large blue fruit the size of oranges lining a dirt pathway, that led around the back of the castle.
They cut through the bushes, and hunkered down at the wall’s edge, peering around to the front.
“When the coast is clear, we will head for the hover-car.”
“Do you know how to drive one of those things?” she asked, staring at his back.
“I have seen it done. Come on,” he whispered.
Still hunkered, they darted swiftly across the lawn. Sydney’s heart kicked up a notch with adrenaline.
They made it to a strange looking vehicle, and she jumped inside. Takkeo slid in and programed the computerized dash.
Great! I won’t even be able to drive their damn cars!
She stared outside the vehicle, not really seeing anything. The thrill of a new planet had disappeared when Jakke let those women…
“Risshi lives by an ocean,” Takkeo explained, pulling her to the here and now.
“And how many consorts does he have?” It came out a little more bitter than she intended.
“None. He doesn’t believe in them.”
Sydney half-turned toward Takkeo. “Really?”
Takkeo nodded. “He and my sister are an odd lot. Different from the others.”
“Risshi will let me stay with him?”
“I think so.”
About three hours later, they arrived at a lone house standing in a clearing. It was small and modest but skillfully built with a porch.
As soon as they started for the house, someone walked outside. Nice looking, with a kind but curious face. “Takkeo, what are you doing here, and who have you brought?”
“Risshi,” Takkeo said, never breaking his stride, “this is Sydney. I will explain everything when we go inside.”
Risshi held Sydney’s gaze for a moment, nodded, then turned and headed inside, followed by her and Takkeo.
Walking up the porch steps, Sydney felt the normalcy of it all. A house just like any other. Stepping inside, she peered around a large open room that contained kitchen, living room, and a dining table. Light hardwood floors with expensive yet unpretentious decorations, it was the home of a bachelor who enjoyed a simple life.
Risshi took a seat in the chair, leaving her and Takkeo to sit on the dark leather-esque couch.
His eyes kept darting from Sydney to his brother, and finally he asked, “Takkeo, who is this and what species is she?”
Takkeo’s eyes bounced around the house before landing on Risshi. Clearly, he wanted to be anywhere but here.
“A long story short, we visited a planet the Tureis were attacking,” he began in a rush. “Sydney ended up on board the Victory, the mating fever took over Jakke, and he mated her. We just arrived here, and Jakke did not tell her about our way of life, specifically about Cassia and the others. She is Human, and Humans are not like that. I owe her a debt for saving my life, so I brought her here, away from Jakke, because she doesn’t want to be with him any longer.”
Takkeo shrugged dismissively like a teenager.
Risshi’s eyes slid to Sydney. “You are Jakke’s mate?”
She picked nervously at her nails. “That’s what they tell me. But after seeing him with the other women, I don’t think so.”
Risshi studied her for a moment before his eyes drifted back to Takkeo. “Her voice is pleasing, but I do not understand what she is saying.”
Takkeo jumped to his feet, a big smile spread across his face. “Oh right! I actually thought of that and brought you a translator. Nothing like being stuck somewhere and not being able to communicate.”
Obviously proud of himself, Takkeo ran outside. A minute later he appeared with an injector in his hand. “I snatched it from Rykker’s office.”
“Good thinking!” Sydney said; she hadn’t even considered it.
Not trusting Takkeo, Risshi loaded the injector himself, pressed it behind his ear and pulled the trigger. Sydney had to look away.
After about five minutes, Risshi asked again, “You are Jakke’s mate?”
Sydney shook her head. “No. Not after today I’m not.”
Risshi gave her a strange look, but she ignored it.
“Can she stay with you?” Takkeo asked. “I really don’t want to take her back and face Jakke, and she’s got nowhere else to go.”
“You would like to stay here?” Risshi asked, addressing Sydney.
“For a while, until I can find a way back to Earth. Do you have a spaceship by chance?”
“No, I have chosen a different way of life.”
“Well, can I stay here at least until I can find a way back to my planet?” she pleaded.
“My brother will not be happy.”
“He can join the club,” Sydney mumbled.
“What was that?” Risshi asked.
“Nothing.” She sighed. “Jakke doesn’t know I’m here and Takkeo assured me that you and Jakke don’t talk. So please don’t tell him I am here.”
He studied her for a minute or two in near uncomfortable silence.
“I have only the one bed and the couch.”
“I’ll take the couch,” she rushed to say. “I promise not to be any trouble.”
Risshi studied her for a moment longer before answering. “You can stay. You’re my brother’s mate whether you like it or not, and it’s my duty to make sure you are protected.”
Takkeo turned to Sydney with a huge grin on his face. “Good. Okay, I’m out of here. Thank you for everything, and I’m sorry things turned out this way.” He then gave her a quick, awkward hug. “We are even now?”
What a teenager, she thought, smiling slightly.
“Yes, we’re even. Thanks, Takkeo.”
Takkeo stood, threw up his hand and headed out, leaving her alone with Risshi.
The silence stretched endlessly until Sydney cleared her throat. “Thanks for letting me stay.”
“Jakke will not be happy,” he warned for the second time.
Sydney shrugged. “I’m not happy with him so…”
“Mind if I asked what happened?” he asked gently, making her feel safe.
“His father would barely look at me, so I already felt uncomfortable,” she began. “Jakke took me to his room, said he needed to talk to his father and that he’d be back.”
A stupid tear slipped out and Sydney swiped it away. Jakke didn’t deserve her tears. “Three women came instead. They really didn’t like me being there.” Sydney swallowed hard, pinching her lips tightly together to keep from crying.
“Jakke came back, and he actually introduced us,” she continued a moment later, a bark of hysterical laughter bubbling out before she cut it off with a sniff. Swiping her wet eyes again, she rubbed her hands on her pants. “They had their hands all over him. Kissing—touching—I didn’t sign up for any of that, so I left.”
“He did not explain anything?”
“No. Takkeo was right in his very condensed version. Jakke mated me by accident and never told me until later. They were supposed to take me home. Now I’m stuck here.”
Risshi studied her.
“Mate of my brother, you are welcome here,” he said finally.
“Thanks.”
Hearing the waves crashing against rocks, Sydney pushed up from the chair and headed to the front porch. Gripping the thick wooden rail, she stared in awe at the lav
ender-colored ocean. Beautiful yet different, just like the people of Azziar.
The ivory sun hid partway behind the ocean, sinking fast. Taking the steps down to the beach, she walked to the water’s edge and watched the waves break against the rocks. How had her life ended up such a mess? Oh, yeah, she’d helped an alien in a dark alley. She knew it wasn’t Takkeo’s fault; it was Jakke’s. He could have told her about the consorts long before they reached Azziar and given her a choice. He could also have NOT mated her in the first damn place!
She stood outside watching the water crash and retreat until the sun slipped away, and the two moons shone from above. So different from Earth. Taking one last deep breath, she turned and headed inside.
Risshi had busied himself in the kitchen. His eyes trekked her like a sentinel.
Clicking the door closed behind her, she turned, facing him, unsure what to say.
“Would you like some food? I made third meal,” Risshi explained.
Sliding into a vacant chair, Sydney entwined her fingers. “I’m not really hungry. Thanks, though.”
“You need to eat, keep your strength up.”
For some reason, that sounded absurd and she giggled. “I’ve lived on almost nothing for the past few months. I think I’ll be fine.”
Risshi took his seat opposite her and leaned forward, eyebrows pulled close. “What do you mean?” And then he took a bite of food.
“You guys and the Tureis have been fighting for so long on my planet, all I did was hide and try to survive as long as I could on as little food as possible.”
“And you want to go back there?” he asked.
“Yes, I do.” At his look of astonishment, she added, “Why would I want to stay here? Jakke is a two—I mean three-timing jerk, and everyone stares at me.”
“I’m sure he misses you. He’s probably wondering where you are.”
“Yeah, right. He’s probably in bed with all three of those hussies right now. It doesn’t matter. He didn’t want to mate me to start with, and I saw how happy the other three made him. He’s fine.”
Her heart hurt to admit it, but it was the truth. She thought about them in bed together, and her stomach churned.
“Where’s the bathroom?” she asked.
When he pointed, she took off in a mad dash and threw up what little she had eaten into the toilet.
“Are you all right?” She looked up and saw him standing in the doorway.
Great!
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She wiped her mouth after rinsing with some water before facing him. “I think I’ll go to bed, or to the couch.” She walked past him and tried to ignore the way he stared after her.
After laying down, she said simply, “Good night, Risshi, and thank you.”
Chapter 20
Jakke
The accusing eyes of the four women including his Human mate unsettled Jakke more than if he’d been heading into battle. He’d waited too long to tell Sydney, and he knew it. He could only hope as he introduced his females that she would understand. And there was Cassia…
Stalking over and igniting a passionate kiss, Cassia surprised him with what he perceived to be acceptance. As Elle and Kiaa’s hands roamed his body after so long apart, he lost himself to the familiar, enjoying their touch.
Until Cassia treaded her hand under his uniform, snapping him back to his senses.
Grabbing Cassia’s upper arms, he removed her hand gently but firmly from his chest. Elle and Kiaa stepped back. Cassia’s eyes flared.
“Why?” Cassia demanded.
“Why what?”
“Why did you mate her? She is not like us!”
Jakke smiled. No, Sydney wasn’t like them. She was smart, witty, and a survivor. Her loving heart had saved his younger brother, and she could make him laugh. He knew then that he truly loved her.
Without answering, he turned, eyes widened in shock. Sydney was gone.
“Where did my mate go?” he asked, but the females only shrugged.
Seeing triumph in Cassia’s eyes made him uneasy, and a ball of dread settled in his stomach.
Stepping closer, Cassia put her hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off. He needed to find Sydney. He didn’t know how long he had stood kissing Cassia, but judging by her swollen lips, it had been awhile.
“Sydney?” he called, searching every room in the suite.
Nothing.
He needed to search the castle. She could not have gone very far.
Just as he was about to head out, his three females stepped in front of him.
“Don’t worry about the odd creature. We don’t need her. I will give you pleasure the alien female can only dream of,” Cassia purred seductively.
But I don’t want you, Jakke realized with a start. I don’t want any of you. Only my mate, only Sydney.
Stepping around Cassia, Jakke dashed into the hall, searching everywhere in the castle. He desperately needed to find his mate, to make her understand.
Time ticked on, and still no sign of her. Beginning to feel fear, Jakke searched every inch of the castle interior and the outside grounds, asking guards servants, every Azziarin he passed he passed if they had seen her. The answer was always no.
Back inside the castle, Jakke was about to call a full search party when he heard a noise down the hall. Turning, it was only Kavvan.
“Have you seen Sydney?” Jakke asked anxiously.
Kavvan narrowed his eyes. “She’s missing?”
“She is. I have searched everywhere but she has disappeared.”
“Do you suspect someone took her?” Kavvan asked, voice hard, already thinking like a solider.
Jakke hesitated; he didn’t want to admit he had inadvertently caused his mate to run away.
“No,” he replied finally, dismayed. “She left.”
Kavvan’s eyes whipped to his, instantly divining what must have occurred. He nodded slowly.
“I will help you find her,” he said simply and without accusation.
They searched the castle and the city for what felt like hours before Jakke finally returned to his rooms, fighting off the nagging feeling that he just might have ruined his life, and Sydney’s. Pouring a mug of Fire’s Breath, he downed it in one gulp, then poured another.
A hand reached around his waist, splaying across his chest.
“Let us make you feel better,” Cassia whispered, nipping his ear.
Scoffing, Jakke grabbed her wrist, and turned to look at all three females.
He knew they were the reason Sydney had left. He should have explained it to her days ago, but he had made the worst mistake of his life. Now his mate was all alone on the planet somewhere, and who knew what her state of mind was?
Fate had played a trick on him. Before now, he had believed Sydney needed to accept his culture, yet it never occurred to him that he might need to accept hers, that he might need to compromise. And now his consorts were unappealing. He only wanted Sydney back.
That night as soldiers searched Azziar, Jakke still walked the halls and the grounds, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
Nothing.
The next day, Jakke ordered the soldiers to continue the search.
Where could she be?
Pacing his room, he noticed his three consorts seated on the couch. If Sydney returned and discovered, they were still there…
“You may leave,” he commanded in a tone that brooked no argument.
Scowling, Cassia led Elle and Kiaa out; she was not quiet when she shut the door. Jakke didn’t care.
Day turned into night—still nothing.
Sitting on his couch, rubbing his forehead, emptiness tore open his heart. With drink in hand, he tilted his head back, letting it rest on the back of the couch.
Thirty minutes later, a knock startled him. Hopeful, Jakke rushed to the door and threw it open.
It was only a messenger.
“King Malick would like to see you now.”
Stalking down the hall, he knocked
on his father’s door before entering. “Ah, Jakke, come in, have a seat.”
Not in the mood for formalities or chitchat, Jakke took a swig of his drink. “What do you need?”
His father studied his appearance.
Let him look.
Jakke hadn’t bathed or changed clothes since Sydney disappeared.
“I heard that your mate left,” Malick finally said. “Any luck in finding her?”
“No, and can you blame her? Even you treated her like nothing!” Jakke hissed.
He had gone over everything that had happened, and he felt like sish! His own father ignored her, everyone else stared at her, and then his three consorts seduced him in front of her—and he’d responded.
“That’s not true!” Malick replied defensively.
“Isn’t it? You think ignoring her is not treating her like nothing? Did she even speak to you? I know you thanked her for saving Takkeo, but after replaying yesterday’s events in my head, you dismissed her as soon immediately after! Who would want to live like that?” Jakke threw his hands up.
“You really do care for her?”
“Yes, I told you that already. And if it means that we must live on her planet, then so be it. She will not be treated the way she was yesterday.”
“You love her,” his father stated.
“Yes, I do.” A heavy weight lifted from his shoulders as he finally admitted out loud what he had fought so hard against. He had mated a Human, and he loved her.
“I won’t say I’m happy that you have mated an alien species, but I will try harder to accept her, and I will treat her with respect. Our people, however, might not be so understanding.”
Pouring himself a drink first, Malick refilled Jakke’s mug.
“I’ll deal with things as they arise. Right now, I need to find my mate.”
And he downed another mug of Fire’s Breath in one gulp.
Chapter 21
Sydney
The sun shone through the window, cascading into the room in a warm glow. Sydney slowly opened her eyes after a restless night. Every time she had closed her eyes, images of Jakke flooded her mind, and all she kept seeing was him standing as his consorts’ hands roamed his muscled body. She couldn’t shake the image of how happy he’d looked with them.
Jakke (The Azziarin Series Book 1) Page 13
