The Nanny and the Alien Warrior

by Honey Phillips, Bex McLynn

  “No! No, he can’t be here!” The shocked cry came from the interior of the hold, and she looked up to see Suzanna standing there, her face white and her hands pressed to her mouth.

  “Go back to the cabin,” Joanna ordered. “Get inside and lock the door.”

  If Rulmat defeated Jed, he would still have to find Suzanna, and she could only pray that Craxan would have returned before he did.

  But it was too late. Suzanna didn’t move, her body frozen in place, and Rulmat looked up and saw her. He grinned, his fangs stained with blue blood.

  “You didn’t think I was going to let him go, did you?”

  A spark of defiance replaced the horrified shock. “You’ll never take him away from me.”

  “Stupid—” Rulmat’s words were cut off as Jed roared and attacked again.

  She had thought the battle brutal before, but this was even more intense. Their bodies slammed against each other, blood spraying. Jed fought like a male possessed, and gradually seemed to gain the upper hand. Rulmat’s responses slowed, barely evading Jed’s blows. Then Jed caught Rulmat around the neck, tightening his grip as Rulmat thrashed and choked and finally went limp.

  “Is he dead?” Suzanna whispered as Jed released Rulmat.

  “I don’t think so,” Joanna said. “His chest is still moving.”

  Jed bent down over the other male, hissing at him.

  “She is not your female. He is not your son. Leave now and never return.”

  As he started to stand, Joanna saw the flash of metal.

  “Jed, watch out!”

  He turned and grabbed Rulmat’s wrist. They wrestled for control of the knife, and she watched in horror as Rulmat poised it over Jed’s throat. Jed seemed to sag in defeat, but then he twisted beneath Rulmat, lightning fast, and the knife plunged into Rulmat’s chest instead. An almost shocked expression crossed the arrogant male’s face and his mouth opened, blue blood trickling from his lips, but only a garbled sound emerged before his body jerked and went still.

  “Now he’s dead,” Joanna said, her voice shaking.

  “Good.” Suzanna’s voice seemed unnaturally calm.

  She walked steadily over to the body and looked down at it, her face expressionless. Then she drew back her foot and kicked the body, over and over, while tears streamed down her face. Jed started to reach for her, but looked down at his bloody hands and hesitated, giving Joanna a helpless look.

  She went to the girl, making the same soothing noises she would have used with Tavi, and gently put her hand on Suzanna’s arm. Suzanna jerked away from her, but she finally stopped kicking the body.

  As Joanna tried to decide what to do next, the hangar doors slammed open and Craxan and Merios raced in, followed by some unknown males. Relief swept over her at the sight of him, but then she saw the blood dripping down his arm as he reached her.

  “You’re hurt!” she cried, as he wrapped his arms and tail around her with a sigh of relief.

  “Thank Granthar. You are not injured?”

  “No, I’m fine. Jed stopped Rulmat from laying a hand on either of us. But what happened to you?”

  “Rulmat’s guards,” he said grimly. “They surrounded the hangar, but the station monitor caught sight of them and warned Merios. We returned as quickly as we could.” His arms tightened. “I was terrified that we would not make it in time.”

  “But you did,” she said soothingly. “Although I don’t understand. If he had guards with him, why did he come alone? Why didn’t he just use them to take over the ship?”

  “Because he is—was—an arrogant bastard. I suspect he wanted to prove that he did not need any help to retrieve his child. He did not count on Jed.”

  They both looked over at where Jed was huddled on a step, his face haunted.

  “This will be hard on him,” Craxan said softly. “He swore never to be responsible for the loss of another life.”

  “He didn’t have a choice.”

  “I believe you. I just hope he will believe it.”

  As they watched, Suzanna approached Jed. She was still pale, her face tear-stained, but she walked all the way to Jed’s side. For the briefest second, her hand touched his shoulder. He looked up at her, and their eyes met. Then she turned and fled, but his eyes followed her out of the room, and then he smiled.

  “I think he will,” she said, and leaned against Craxan’s side. “When is Tavi coming back?”

  “Not for a while. Merios sent word to Rafalo, and he will keep Alicia and Tavi away from here until we can… clean up.”

  “Do you have to help?”

  “I intended to volunteer. Why?”

  “Because I need you.” She reached for his tail, clutching it in her hand. “I… I thought I was going to end up as a slave again. That I would never see you and Tavi again.”

  “If he had taken you, I would not have stopped until I found you again. There is no place in this universe where he could have hidden you from me.” He growled and swept her up in his arms, carrying her quickly through the corridors. “You are mine, Joanna.”

  “You know, I’ve been thinking,” Joanna said to him, a long time later.

  She was curled against his side, her fingers idly stroking his chest, the action both soothing and arousing.

  “What have you been thinking?”

  “I was thinking of what Rulmat said. Of wanting a son to carry on his legacy.”

  His mouth twisted with distaste. “And he would stop at nothing to achieve his goal.”

  “He was an evil male,” she agreed. “But it made me think. I don’t believe that Lord K’herr was evil.”

  “I disagree. He bought you as a slave.”

  She sighed. “I know, and I’m not trying to make excuses for him. But he didn’t treat me badly, or allow anyone else to do so. He was just focused on Sultavi. That’s why he worked so hard—to create a legacy for her.”

  “I am not sure I understand.” Although he was afraid he did.

  “We—I—took her away from her home.”

  “In order to keep her safe.”

  “I know. And at the time, I didn’t have another choice. But now I’m wondering if maybe we should try and restore the legacy her father wanted to give her. It just seems wrong to let Lord T’paja get away with stealing it from her.”

  “I am not sure it would be possible,” he said slowly.

  “Doesn’t Alliko have a system of law? I overheard his guards saying he wanted Sultavi in order to legitimize his claim. That implies it could be questioned.”

  “Are you sure about this? If we stay here, you would have the company of other humans.”

  “I admit it would be nice, and from what Alicia told me, the planet is beautiful.” She lifted up on her elbow and studied him, her face pleading. “I’m sure we could be happy here, but I want to do what’s best for Tavi.”

  He sighed heavily. “Perhaps you are right.”

  “Is it possible, do you think? To reclaim her home?”

  “I am not sure. But perhaps I could make some inquiries.”

  “Thank you, Craxan. I just want our daughter to have everything to which she is entitled.”

  “I know, Joanna.” He rolled over on top of her, loving the way her body cradled him. “Now are you through with your thinking?”

  “Maybe. Why?” Her eyes sparkled up at him.

  “Because I suspect that we will not remain uninterrupted for much longer, and I have an idea about base four point six.”

  “You do have some very creative bases,” she admitted.

  He proceeded to prove her correct.

  “You want to do what?” Merios stared at Joanna and Craxan.

  Although she had responded deliciously to his lovemaking, she had been anxious to put a plan in place so he had taken her to see the captain.

  “We want to return to Alliko and reclaim Sultavi’s legacy,” she said calmly.

  Merios raised an eyebrow. “Good luck with that. But I’m not sure why you’re telli
ng me.”

  “Because we would like you to take us.”

  “I think you’re forgetting Trevelor—the planet you were once so insistent on reaching? I have cargo that is destined for there.”

  Considering the multiple delays he had incurred so far, Craxan doubted there was any urgency to the delivery, but Joanna nodded patiently.

  “And you can still take it. After a little detour to Alliko.”

  Merios studied his claws. “Just how do you intend to pay for this… detour?”

  His mate shot him a doubtful glance, and he nodded. They both had some hesitation over this part of her plan, but hadn’t been able to come up with an alternative. “Tavi’s biological father was a very wealthy male.”

  “She doesn’t seem to have inherited his wealth,” Merios said dryly.

  “Because of how quickly we left. But if we return and if we can get access to her inheritance, we can pay you for the trip. A reasonable amount,” she added quickly.

  “It sounds like a lot of ifs.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe it’s a little bit of a gamble. But don’t you enjoy taking a chance? Or is that only on people?”

  Merios started to laugh as Craxan gave her a puzzled look.

  “You have a devious mate, Craxan. But I will agree to the journey—for a generous remuneration.”

  “I doubt we have the same definition of generous,” she said. “But you will be well paid.”

  “Then I will have Hagrin set course for Alliko. And I hope you know what you’re doing,” Merios said over his shoulder as he left them.

  “Do we know what we’re doing?” she asked him.

  No. But he was not going to add to her worries. Instead, he told her truthfully, “We are trying to do what is best for our daughter.”

  She sighed and squeezed his hand. “I hope so.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Craxan slipped through the concealed door that Joanna remembered from when she and Tavi had escaped the Sodan compound. The lush gardens were quiet, but he could hear the sound of drunken laughter from the gatehouse and he shook his head. He paused for a few minutes to check for activity, but no one bothered to patrol the grounds.

  T’paja was far too confident. Perhaps he assumed that his efforts to intimidate the occupants of Isokau had been successful. Instead, the opposite had occurred. The more he let his warriors roam unchecked, the more the townspeople had come to dislike him.

  If he had simply stepped into Lord K’herr’s shoes and carried on as before, there would have been some disgruntled comments but little more. Instead, they had returned to find Isokau on the brink of rebellion.

  They had arrived back on Alliko the previous night, and as soon as the ship had docked, he and Joanna, heavily cloaked, had gone to visit Opinnas.

  The elderly scholar greeted them with a troubled frown.

  “Your presence here worries me. But I think perhaps it is necessary.”

  He told them what had been happening while they were gone, but Craxan had seen much of it for himself on the way to the scholar’s house. Broken windows, scrawled graffiti, and a restless, violent energy. Even the guards who had formerly watched over the spaceport were no longer present.

  “Do you think the Tribunal will rule in Sultavi’s favor?” Joanna asked. They had spent much of the trip investigating the laws of Alliko. The Tribunal was the titular authority over the various Houses, and they had decided it was their best option.

  “There are no guarantees, but Lord K’herr was popular. T’paja is not. The Houses have long memories and his family is not respected.” Opinnas adjusted the spectacles resting on his beak. “But it will not be a fast process. And once he receives notice that he is being challenged, he will leave no feather unplucked in his efforts to find Sultavi.”

  “Maybe we should go back to Tyssia while we wait,” Joanna said anxiously.

  Opinnas shook his crest. “I’m afraid you will need to be here to bring the action.”

  It was because of that conversation that he was here now, investigating T’paja’s defenses. Which are minimal at best, he thought disgustedly as he strolled towards the building intended for the ruler of the House.

  Two guards were stationed outside the main entrance, but since they were passing a bottle back and forth, Craxan had no trouble slipping past them and around the side of the building. Joanna had sketched out a rough floor plan, so he headed for the bedroom intended for the lord of House Sodan. Light spilled out of the long windows that opened onto a paved terrace. He edged closer but could only see a portion of the interior.

  “There will be trouble, Lord T’paja,” a voice warned, clearly audible through the open windows.

  From his hidden position, Craxan could see the speaker. An older warrior, his neat uniform a striking contrast to the slovenly guards Craxan had seen so far.

  “Don’t be foolish, Ottan. Who’s going to challenge me? I am the ruler of House Sodan now.” The second voice practically purred with satisfaction.

  Ottan cleared his throat. “Officially, the title remains with the child.”

  Something flew past Ottan’s head, but he didn’t flinch, even when the object hit the wall and exploded into glittering shards.

  “Because you were too incompetent to find her,” T’paja snarled.

  “My information suggests that she left the planet.”

  Craxan frowned. Did the guard actually know something, or was he just humoring the temperamental lord?

  “Then she has no claim,” T’paja said.

  “She would only have to return and establish her identity.”

  “Then make sure you are watching the spaceport. Do I have to specify everything?”

  “I am watching it,” Ottan said calmly, and Craxan jerked.

  The bush that concealed him rustled, but he was more concerned with the implications of the older male’s words. Had the absence of guards at the spaceport been a decoy?

  “Good. If she dares show her face, eliminate her.”

  Every muscle in Craxan’s body clenched as rage swept over him. The bastard dared to threaten his daughter?

  “I beg your pardon?” For the first time, a hint of emotion crossed Ottan’s face. “You said you wanted to bring her here so you could claim her as your ward.”

  “I’ve decided that is no longer necessary.” T’paja’s hand came into view, heavily laden with rings, as he gestured dismissively. “No one is challenging my rulership. It would be easier just to eliminate her.”

  “But she is just a child.”

  “Then it shouldn’t be a difficult job. Now leave me. One of my males is bringing me a… visitor.”

  Ottan stared at him, then bowed stiffly. “Yes, Lord T’paja.”

  The guard didn’t leave through the doorway. Instead, he headed for the long windows. Craxan drew back into the shadows, his hand resting on his knife.

  Ottan stepped out onto the terrace, then strolled casually towards Craxan’s hiding place. He stopped a short distance away to light a thin cigar.

  “My loyalty has never been questioned before,” he said softly. “But I will not be responsible for the death of a child.”

  The old guard moved away without another word, leaving Craxan frowning after him. Ottan obviously knew that he was there, but he had made no effort to stop him.

  Tonight had only been intended to gather information, to identify T’paja’s weaknesses, but after what he had just heard, that plan had changed. T’paja had threatened his daughter. Unacceptable.

  Craxan’s hand dropped to his knife as he headed for the open windows.

  Once again, Joanna found herself pacing anxiously, this time outside the ship. When they landed on Alliko, Merios parked the ship in one of the ordinary slots allotted to cargo ships. It connected to a small warehouse designed for loading and unloading cargo, but since they weren’t doing either, there was plenty of room for her pacing and she didn’t have to worry about being seen.

  “I’m just not cut out t
o be a mercenary’s mate,” she muttered to herself. Craxan had gone off to scout the compound and evaluate T’paja’s defenses. In theory, it seemed much less difficult than stealing a child from a dangerous criminal, but at least she hadn’t known about that one until it was over.

  Suzanna had told her what Craxan must have done to get Adam, and it had made her blood run cold. She thought the girl was trying to be helpful, but it only made her more nervous to know the type of risks he was capable of taking. It was actually a relief when Suzanna went off to attend to her son.

  Joanna was still shocked that the girl had decided to accompany them. She had expected her to be thrilled with the prospect of settling down on Tyssia, but she had asked to stay on board instead. Apparently, she felt safer with Craxan around. And even Jed, she had admitted. Joanna wasn’t thrilled about her continued hero worship of Craxan, but at least it never went further than a few doe-eyed glances.

  “Mama!” Tavi came flying down the ramp towards her, Rissta a few steps behind.

  “What’s the matter, sweetheart? You’re supposed to be in bed.”

  “I was, but I woke up and no one was there.” A bottom lip pouted out. “Papa said he would see if I was awake before he left.”

  “In the morning,” she reminded her. “And this is not the morning.”

  “You see, Tavi?” Rissta added. “That’s what I told you.”

  “But I don’t like it!”

  “You can’t like every-” She and Rissta began at the same time, then they both laughed.

  “Do you want me to take her back to bed?” the other female asked, but Joanna shook her head.

  “No, it’s all right. She can keep me company for a while.”

  “I’ll make some shoko. That might calm her down.” Those sharp blue eyes studied Joanna. “I’ll make enough for both of you.”

  “Thank you, Rissta. For everything,” she said sincerely.

  Rissta sniffed, but she was obviously pleased.