by Juno Wells
I frown. One soldier? And that walk ... no man has hips that can move like that.
The soldier stops six feet away.
Three heartbeats go by. Then the helmet goes transparent and I almost faint as all my hope explodes in my chest. “Dakota!”
She takes her helmet off and I embrace her, hard. This is a new suit she has, much better than the old cumbersome one.
“Hi, Brenaxx.”
I grasp her shoulders and hold her out from me to get a good look at her face. Her beauty stuns me. “You came back!”
She nods, and I can see that she's moved, too. And happy. “I'm sure there has to be a law against that, right?”
I just shake my head in wonder. “No one has ever thought to make a law forbidding aliens who have been here once from returning again.”
She laughs, and I love the sound of it as it reverberates off the rocky walls. “I guess not. So, you're not in prison?”
I can't take my eyes off her. She is more confident now than the last time I saw her, and I love it. “Not yet. My fate is being decided at this very moment.”
“Uh-huh. Think those who decide your fate might take into account that the alien you let escape came back a month later? And that she didn't bring an invasion army?”
I take her into my arms again and embrace her once more. Then I take her head between my hands and kiss her tenderly. “They might,” I say with a throat that feels narrow. “But I can't postpone this any longer. I will not hold you to the answer if they find I must abdicate. Or worse. Dakota, will you marry me?”
25
- Dakota -
“So this is her,” the old woman says. Her cave is half dark and smells of incense. Elaborate artworks hang on the walls, and she sits on the only chair in the room. Brenaxx and I sit on cushions on the floor.
The room is silent while she looks me up and down. But she's not unfriendly. “I understand you, Brenaxx. This is a female unlike most I have seen. There is strength in her.”
“There is,” Brenaxx agrees. Both he and the woman speak English with strong accents, but I understand them perfectly. I have no idea how it works, but I'm sure Brenaxx will tell me later.
“I will suggest to the Conference that you be acquitted of any charges. She did leave, but she came back. But tell me this, Dakota: how do you feel about Brenaxx?”
I look up at him. Even sitting beside he, he is much taller than me. He's the most honorable man I've met. The best lover. The best warrior. And he's my fiance now. Because of course I said yes.
“I love him,” I say simply. Some things are just true.
“You left, but you came back. I'd say that easily qualifies as making you Brenaxx' Bayan, his Fated Mate, his One True Love.”
I nod. “You know, that sounds about right.”
I had to leave, of course. I needed to think and I needed to see that I actually had the freedom to leave. Only then could anything between me and Brenaxx be good. If he truly wanted to keep me captive, as his pirate booty, any love between us would be tainted and worthless.
It took me a good while to explain everything to Space Marine Corps High Command, but it helped a lot that I had used my helmet to record a lot of our trip through the desert. They even promoted me. They're smart enough to know that having me close to the Xar king is the best deal anyone could get. We really want them on our side. And from what Brenaxx has told me, perhaps I've been able to influence him in a new and better direction. We'll see. It's a good start, anyway.
We get to our feet and walk out of the old woman's cave. I'm not quite sure what went on here. “So do we have her blessing?”
Brenaxx smiles at me. In the desert, he smiled rarely. Now he does little else, and I love it. He has changed. Become even better than before. I wouldn't have thought it was possible, but that's the way it looks to me.
“Yes. We have her blessing. And her advice will be taken very seriously by the Conference. I might keep my throne and status. The king's Bayan is not an alien. It would be absurd to state that she is.”
“I don't care about your throne and status,” I say. “As long as I have you, I don't care if you sweep streets for a living. You're the best man I've met.” It's totally true, too.
He's obviously moved. His face is very easy to read. “Let's have our wedding as soon as possible.”
I smile up at him. “I had the same suggestion. I think my bosses will be pretty happy if their new lieutenant turns out to be the queen of Gyr.”
“The first beginning of the first alliance Gyr has ever entered. It will be glorious!”
I laugh. I'm very happy. “Yeah, I think it just might. They will probably want you to stop pointless killing and piracy, though. But they will also make sure that Gyr has all it needs.”
Brenaxx frowns down at me. “We will not accept charity.”
“Oh, you will work for anything you receive, like everybody else has to. You don't think Gyr has anything to offer. But I promise you that lots of people will want to see a live gursh. Lots of people will want to see your black hole from behind a safe barrier. Lots of people will want to try that stew and juice I got right here in this village. And High Command will be thrilled to hire your warriors for defensive purposes.”
My fiance nods thoughtfully. “A new dawn for Gyr, with many opportunities.”
“That's right.” I take his hand as we walk towards his quarters. I like being close to him. That month I spent back on Earth was the longest I've ever had. I longed for him every second. When he let me leave, and even took a huge risk doing it, I knew I'd be back.
Some men you just can't stay away from. They're just too good.
26
- Dakota -
“I do.”
My whole life and soul are condensed into those two words. I've never said anything that felt better or more right. I look up at my new husband and feel the familiar tingle go down my spine and my girly bits. It's probably terrible inappropriate to feel horny at the altar, but I can't help it. He overwhelms my senses with his presence.
The Space Marine Corps sent a huge space cruiser so we could have our wedding there. It's another solar system, neither Earth or Gyr, but somewhere roughly midway between them. There's a lot of big brass here, including politicians, but they all shrink into insignificance compared to the Xar warriors that are attending. Especially compared to my new husband. Every eye is on him. He just has that quality.
We walk down the aisle together, married at last. And I'm Queen Dakota of Gyr, as well as Lieutenant Bell of Special Division. I like both titles.
We walk out of the spaceship's chapel and make our way to a viewing gallery where we will pass the time while the guests walk from the chapel to the reception area, which is much larger.
The viewing gallery has one wall that's completely transparent, so that it seems we're looking out at space with nothing between us and the stars.
I still hold Brenaxx' hand, and I have no intention of letting go of it anytime soon. “So now you'll be legendary?”
He smirks down at me. “That's the myth, certainly. Because there are so very few women on Gyr, hardly any man finds his Bayan. Those who do often go on to have spectacular lives, for some reason. Perhaps their happiness and passion for their wife makes then outstanding men. We'll see.”
“But you're pretty outstanding already,” I point out. “And aren't most kings legendary, almost by definition?”
“Then I will be even more outstanding and legendary,” he deadpans. “Can't be that hard.”
I nod. He means it as a joke, but to me it's not. For him, being outstanding seems effortless.
It's only been a few weeks since I came back to his planet, but already things are going better for his people. There is a little bit of trade, tourists have turned up and his warriors now draw actual salaries from the space marines. They're not space marines, of course, but their own force that help defend the good guys against all the bad guys in the universe. Of course the Xar were the tr
uly bad guys, so things have calmed down a lot in the galaxy.
“Do you think you'll be an outstanding father, too?”
He glances at me. “I'm sure that when the time comes, I will do my best, at least.”
I don't say anything. We look out at space in silence while I do a slow countdown in my mind. Five, four, three, two, one-
His head snaps around. “Father? Do you mean ...? Is there ...? Are you...?”
I smile again. I've been doing that a lot lately. “I do mean. There is. I am.”
It's a rare treat to see King Brenaxx so astounded his jaw drops, so I make the most of it. Then he embraces me again and lifts me off my feet and spins around while he laughs. I squeal in happiness and exhilaration. I was pretty sure he's be happy about it. I mean, all kings need heirs. But still, who could know? Some guys don't want kids at all.
He sets me down and holds me close. “I will be the first king of Gyr to have an heir by his Bayan for a long time. Possibly forever. I'm legendary already.”
I wipe a happy tear of my face. I've been wanting to keep the waterworks under control today, because I know that when the dam bursts, Dakota 'Killer' Bell will be weeping blissfully for hours. “Are there legendary queens, too?”
He looks at me, very seriously. “There are. But none as legendary as Queen Dakota the Brave.”
“I like that,” I say and straighten my gown. “We'll both be mythical. But even legends shouldn't keep their guests waiting. I mean, you don't want to be legendary about that. The king and queen who were always so late that it became a legend.”
He holds me close like he'll never let go. That's fine with me. “They can wait. I've waited for my Bayan for a long time. And now I have her.”
I look up at him. His eyes are moist, too.
He may not be a pirate anymore. But I'll always be his booty.
“Oh, you do. You totally do.”
- - -
Make sure to catch the Epilogue at the end of the book!
- - -
Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoyed Alien Pirate's Booty! Please take a moment to leave an opinion about this book! Readers really rely on reviews, and your opinion can help others decide on future purchases. Make sure your vote counts!
Want MORE from Juno Wells?
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bnMJL5
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Juno-Wells/1634404223450069
Want MORE from Luna Cassini?
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bsyiJf
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScifiLuna
Other books by Juno Wells and Luna Cassini:
Alien Dragon's Mate: Braxan
Amelia Moore is in love with an alien.
His name is Braxan. He's drop-dead gorgeous, confident to the point of cockiness and he makes love like a god. And he's saved her life too many times to count.
Amelia lives on a human colony on the planet Belzon, but was kidnapped by the repulsive Pirgk aliens that want to destroy the peaceful settlement. Braxan saved her from them, and now they're running together on an alien planet that seems dead set on killing them both.
But Braxan isn't just any alien. He's the most fearsome and deadly being mankind has ever encountered: an Ultra Draco, both man and dragon. And one thing is foremost in his mind: curvy Amelia is his Fated Mate.
Amelia doesn't know how lethal he is. She just hopes they will reach her home colony before the aliens wipe them all out. And before Braxan dies of the poisoned wound in his chest. A wound that Amelia gave him...
Alien Dragon's Mate: Braxan is a standalone full-length romance novel with steamy scenes, a Happy Ever After and no cliffhangers! Click here to check it out!
Alien Dragon's Captive: Dacron
A dragon took Aie'la captive and she didn't even notice.
Dacron's lair deep inside her planet's moon is so breathtaking, and the sensationally sexy blue dragon is such a great lover, that days go by in a blur before Aie'la realizes that she can't leave.
When finally she does notice, the mysterious and irritatingly confident dragon still won't let her go home.
She should be furious. But she's falling for him, harder than she had ever imagined possible.
Dacron knows three things: He loves Aie'la. She's his Fated Mate. And he will do anything to protect her, even keeping her locked up if necessary.
Because something terrible is going on with her planet, something so horrific that he can't even bring himself to tell her...
Alien Dragon's Captive: Dacron is a standalone full-length romance novel with steamy scenes, a Happy Ever After and no cliffhangers!
It is part of the Ultra Draco series of steamy standalone science fiction romance novels.
Click here to check it out!
- - -
Check out many more books on Juno Wells' author page on Amazon!
And click here to visit Luna Cassini's author page!
Epilogue
- Tribal Mother Eniexa -
“Thank you so much! I hope he has been good.”
Queen Dakota picks little Prince Deriaxx up from his play mat and kisses a plump little cheek.
I sit heavily down in the lawn chair and adjust the parasol. I'm not quite as frail as I look, but looking after a baby as active as this one takes its toll. “Oh, perfectly. Such a good little prince.”
“I really appreciate it, Mother.” She makes the little prince kiss my cheek and says her bright goodbye, then sashays across the lawn with a confidence that I think her military service must have given her.
Of course I knew that Dakota was Brenaxx' Bayan when he first came to me. It's not the kind of thing any Xar warrior would ever make up, much less the practical and direct Brenaxx. But he had to realize it for himself, and men can be remarkably slow with matters of the heart. If I had only said that she was, he could never be entirely sure. And I saw that the love between them would not be worth anything if he didn't let her leave and then come back again. You can't keep a loved one captive. That will make her only your prisoner.
She's a good queen, our Dakota. She has proposed many ways to increase our female population, such as moving them off Gyr and settling them on a more hospitable planet with no black holes right next door. Well, I suppose sometimes you need the obvious pointed out to you.
She has brought great prosperity to our planet. No longer do we need to rob others to stay alive. I suppose being feared can be pleasant. But being respected is much better.
And she's a good mother to the little prince. He was a big baby, like Brenaxx was. But she came through the birth with no ill effects. She's resilient and strong, while at the same time perfectly feminine and cheerful. We all like her.
Brenaxx has changed. He's no longer grim and war-like, but joking and confident. I have lived through the reign of many kings, and he is the best one we've had. And he's a doting father to his son. It's strange how so little can change so much. I doubt I have ever seen a happier family.
I get out of the exotic chair and collapse it so I can carry it with me. The sun is setting, and while there is no black hole in the sky at night here on Earth, old habits die hard. Rem made our people strong. But it also took away most of our joy. Dakota brought it back. We owe her a lot.
On the other side of the lawn, she's entering her modest palace with the prince in her arms. I understand she has become legendary, not just on Gyr, but on her own planet as well. Seems they love her as much as we do.
Well, maybe almost as much.
- - -
Copyright © Juno Wells and Luna Cassini 2016
- - -
Juno's Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bnMJL5
Luna's Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bsyiJf
are this book with friends
