by Anna Carven
The General didn’t go easy on anyone.
“It didn’t go exactly to plan.” Xal came up beside him, staring out at the Kordolian soldiers as one of them landed a vicious, low kick on his opponent, earning a satisfied grunt from the General.
“What do they want?”
“They want me to bring Abbey to them as proof of my true intentions. The Empress wants to make an example of her.”
Tarak swore viciously in Kordolian. Some of the terms were so colorful that Xal winced. No-one swore quite like a soldier. “Deluded imbeciles. Alerak and Daegan are asking for death. Your plan was elegant and effective, Xalikian, but we will have to find another way.”
“I know.”
Sensing something, Tarak turned, his red gaze fixing on something above. “We have a visitor,” he growled. The General leaped up and snatched something out of thin air. He opened his palm to reveal a small robot-like device. A tiny red light blinked back at them. It was a recording device of sorts.
“What are you doing, Human?” Tarak glared down at the thing, his ears twitching in irritation.
“Sera?” Xal blinked, staring at the object. It was most definitely Human in design. “Have you been following me? I told you not to worry.”
He expected Tarak to be furious, but to his surprise, the General just looked at him with a resigned expression. “This is to be expected, Xalikian. You should have known when you invited her on board. I would do the same thing if I were in her position. You need to decide what you want to do with her.”
Xal should have been angry, but the thought of Sera spying on him only made him aroused. He smiled at the faint ridiculousness of it all. She was the only one who could get away with something like that. As far as he was concerned, she could observe him any time. He sighed, taking the tiny recording device from Tarak’s open palm. He examined it, noting the small, retractable lens and rotating metal blade that allowed it to fly.
The only problem was that he now had to explain himself. “Now you see what I had intended,” he said, looking at the lens. He wondered if she could even hear him. “Did you watch me when I was conferencing with Alerak? You probably thought I’d gone mad. In truth, I was going to trick them into leaving Earth by pretending to betray Tarak. We figured the promise of the Fleet Station would be too juicy a prize for them to ignore. Unfortunately, Alerak made an impossible demand. So the plan is off.” His shoulders slumped, and Xal rubbed his temples. Fatigue was starting to kick in, and the headache was back, a dull throb behind his eyes. “Never mind. We will figure out another way.”
The bot winked silently at him, it red light flicking on and off in a steady rhythm. Xal stared back at it, trying to picture Sera’s reaction. “Clearly, this is going to be more long and drawn-out than we had anticipated,” he said, unsure whether he was saying it more for his own benefit, or for hers. “I will try to distract Alerak and eventually, another opportunity may present itself. But it’s not going to be the quick solution I’d hoped for. I’m sorry you’re not going to get the report you wished for, however I think your time spent here has given you a good grasp of the situation, and our true intentions. You may return to Earth whenever you wish.”
Behind them, the observation panel shook as one of the Kordolian fighters was thrown into it, his body slamming against the thick wall. He recovered his footing and faced his attacker, wrestling him to the floor. Tarak nodded in approval.
Xal frowned into the lens. “I can imagine you will want to talk. I will be up shortly.”
And with that, he dropped the strange Human device into one of his pockets, wondering how in Kaiin’s hells they were going to hold back the rest of the Kordolian Empire without any further bloodshed.
CHAPTER TEN
She wasn’t surprised when the panel next to the door chimed. Xal’s face appeared on the screen. “Let me in, Sera.”
She moved in range of the door and it slid open. The Prince stood before her in all his Kordolian glory, a worried expression on his face. Even when his mouth was turned down in a frown and his eyebrows were drawn together in concern, he was gorgeous.
Sera was expecting him to be angry. She held up her hands. “I can explain,” she began, but he put a finger to her lips.
“Don’t. I should be angry with you, but I understand. If my planet were potentially being invaded by another race, I would spy on them as well. But it’s irrelevant now. The plan won’t work. I will not endanger Tarak’s mate.”
The look on his face tugged at Sera’s heart-strings. Unable to resist, she moved close to him, taking his warm hands into hers. “So let me get this straight. You want to trick these guys into leaving Earth by leading them into a trap, but if you don’t give them Abbey it won’t work, because they won’t believe you’re legit.”
“That’s one way of putting it, yes.”
“Then give them Abbey.”
“What are you saying?” He recoiled in horror. “You can’t seriously be suggesting-”
“I’m horrible, huh?” Sera grinned, and Xal’s eyes widened in shock and confusion. “Do they even know what Abbey looks like?”
“Well, no, but-”
The wildest thought had occurred to her. The enemy Kordolians wanted the General’s mate. If Xal wanted his plan to work, he needed a Human female as a bargaining chip, didn’t he?
The General would never give up Abbey as bait. Sera had seen the kind of man he was and the way he looked at his mate and she knew that for a fact. But Sera was available. There was a chance the Imperial Kordolians didn’t even know what Abbey looked like. Sera could very well become the single factor that would convince them to leave Earth.
Could she do such a wild, crazy, reckless thing?
Xal’s people were as scary as hell, but Sera had always been a jump first, ask questions later kind of girl.
“I’ll be your Abbey. You’ll be the evil Prince Kazharan. We’ll get onboard the Ristval V and carry out this devious plan of yours. All they’re expecting is a Human woman, right?”
Xal managed to look relieved and aghast at the same time. “Absolutely not,” he snapped. “Are you out of your mind? You’ve seen how dangerous they can be and how little regard they have for the lives of Humans. How can I let you walk into such a nightmare?”
“Xal, my planet is going to ruined if we don’t do anything. Millions, if not billions, could die. How can you stop me from trying to defend my home? Besides, you’ll look out for me, won’t you?”
“It is out of the question,” Xal growled. “I won’t put you in such danger.”
Sera grabbed Xal’s horns and pulled his head down until their lips were almost touching. “The only problem with that statement is that you don’t own me, Xalikian. And I’d rather put myself in mortal danger with you than sit back and wait until you guys end up in an all-out war, with Earth stuck in the middle. So let’s do this thing.”
“You’d be willing to risk your life?”
“For Earth. For Humans. For you. But I’m not suicidal, Xal. I think your plan is gutsy, and there’s a damn good chance it could work. You will just need to convince your evil buddies that you want to keep me by your side. Make something up; I don’t know, claim me or something. Just don’t let me out of your sight. I know you’ll figure something out, because you’re a freaking good actor. You almost had me believing you were an evil bastard back there.”
“It wasn’t difficult.” Xal looked into her eyes, and she saw a swirling storm of emotion cross his face. “I just drew on what already exists inside me.”
“You did what you had to do.” Sera shrugged. “We all have a dark side, Xal. It really all comes down to what you decide to do with it.”
Exhaling, he ran a hand through his hair. “You’re impossible, Sera Aquinas.”
“So are you, Xalikian Kazharan.” She brushed her lips against his ever so slightly, and drew back, releasing him. His mouth was half-open in shock.
“Would you really do this? I would have to treat you
unkindly in order to make them believe the lie. I would hate myself for doing it, every step of the way.”
“Do what you have to do, Xal. I know you would never truly hurt me. You’re too much of a big, ol’ teddy bear to do anything horrible.”
“Teddy bear?” His eyebrows rose. “More human terminology I don’t understand?”
“We can even do a role-play to practice beforehand, if you want. I’ll be the helpless Human captive and you’ll be the evil alien Prince, spiriting me away to your dark planet.”
Xal looked both horrified and amused.
“But somehow,” Sera continued, in a mock-theatrical tone, “the evil Prince falls for his beautiful Human prisoner and she develops a hopeless case of Stockholm syndrome, because of course, he’s a handsome devil, and they end up craving each other’s touch. By the time they reach his planet, they realize that they’ve fallen in love.”
Xal was staring at her with his mouth agape, his fangs showing. “The General was right,” he whispered, shaking his head in disbelief.
“What are you talking about?” Sera wondered if she had taken it a little too far. But the thought of Xal taking her captive, even in a pretend scenario, was getting her all hot and flustered.
“All Human females are crazy.” He ran a hand through his moonlight colored hair, looking exasperated. “Erratic, unpredictable, illogical.”
“Sensible and practical is more like it.” Sera snorted. “Don’t you dare treat me like I’m some pampered princess.”
He closed his eyes, a pained expression crossing his face as he shook his head. “No,” he said finally, looking at her again. “I can’t let you do it.”
“You would risk war because of me? Don’t be stupid, Xal.” Sera’s voice rose, ever so slightly, betraying her frustration.
“You would recklessly endanger yourself, putting yourself into an impossibly dangerous situation, just because that idiotic Alerak demands a Human female?” Xal’s features had taken on a stubborn cast, and he loomed over her with anger simmering in his golden eyes. His voice had risen a notch. “I would rather start a war than allow them to touch you. In the past I’ve lost people very important to me. I can’t bear to go through that again. I’ve just found you, Sera Aquinas, and I can’t bear to lose you.”
Sera matched his anger with her own. “And who are you to decide whether I’m being reckless, your Highness? Maybe I was being reckless when I walked through the door of your house back on Earth. Maybe I was being reckless when I decided to come with you onboard Silence. Maybe I was being reckless when I decided I wanted to fuck you. But that’s what I do, Xal. People have called me reckless my entire life, but I just do what I think is right.”
She took a deep breath and clenched her fists. “I’m still here, aren’t I?” She was full of tension. Oh, what she wouldn’t give for a good old-fashioned sparring session right now. She could really spend some time hitting the pads. “You need to put your fears aside and let me do this,” she said slowly. “You need to make a choice. Are you going to let things from your past get in the way of what you know is a damn good plan? Back on Earth, you told me that you wanted to see Kordolians and Humans as equals. What is it, Xal? Are we equals, or do you consider yourself superior to us, and to me?”
He looked at her long and hard, not saying a word. She got the feeling he was deliberating. Inside him, a conflict raged. For a moment, she caught a glimpse between the cracks, as deeply held pain flickered in his eyes.
Then, unexpectedly, she was being pushed back, Xal’s strong hands grabbing her wrists, holding them over her head as she found herself pressed against the wall. He was able to restrain her with just a single hand, holding her wrists together. Shocked, she tried to resist, but his grip was like iron.
Fuck, he’s strong!
He leaned in and kissed her then, wildly and passionately, pressing his hard body against hers. Sera melted underneath him, responding to his kiss as she felt his erection brushing up against her.
He was insatiable, and she didn’t mind at all.
He broke away, staring at her with an intensity that made her burn. “If you are to be with me, you will be a princess, and you will be pampered. No objections, Sera.”
Damn him. He said the most panty-melting things at the worst times and she loved it.
“The truth is, that if you join me pretending to be a Human prisoner and we board the enemy ship, I’m terrified at what I might have to do to you to keep up appearances and I’m terrified I will give us both away, because there’s no way I could be cruel to you.”
Sera inhaled his woody, masculine scent, no longer struggling against his restraining hand. Her arms were still pinned above her head, but Sera was starting to enjoy this position. “Well I’m more afraid of you guys and the bad guys having a shootout with Earth as target practice. So suck it up, big boy. I’m tougher than I look.”
“You had better be, my helpless captive.”
“So I’m coming with you, right?” She gasped as he slid his free hand into her pants, finding her moist, sensitive entrance.
“I am still thinking about it, crazy woman. Somehow, you are starting to convince me,” he growled, “in more ways than one.” He shook his head.
“I get the feeling you’ll make a great evil Prince.”
His lips brushed against her ear. “I can be as evil as you want, Princess.” He said it so menacingly, in his low, smooth-as-silk baritone, that she actually shuddered with anticipation. She found it oh, so deliciously sexy. He kissed her at the base of her neck and slipped his fingers deep inside her pussy.
“Oh yes, please,” she sighed, helpless to resist her dark Kordolian Prince.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The General looked at both of them, a skeptical expression on his face. “You’re saying she wants to accompany you pretending to be Abbey, because those imbeciles think they can lay their hands on my mate?” There was barely restrained rage in his voice.
“Daegan and Alerak have never seen Abbey. They don’t know what she looks like They are only expecting a Human female, and as far as they’re aware, Abbey is the only Human female onboard Silence. So if I go to them with Sera, they will believe I have turned against you, because no-one in their right mind would betray you and think of ever returning. And then, our plan will be set in motion.”
“You approve of her doing this? It will put her in immense danger.”
“I don’t approve at all. But I acknowledge her right to contribute to the defense of Earth, and I will use all of my wits and cunning to ensure she does not suffer at their hands. After all, I have something they want, and that gives me power. I will set conditions. I will tell them I wish to deliver her to mother personally, and as such, she is my personal property until we reach Kythia. They will have to believe it, otherwise the deal is off.”
Tarak turned to Sera. “You do not have to do this, Human. We can find another way.”
Sera shook her head. “What’s my life compared to the eight billion lives on Earth? Besides, I’ll have Xal with me. He’ll keep me safe and you’ll be following us, right? It’s actually a simple plan when you think about it. We get to the Fleet Station, eject in escape pods, you come rescue us and boom. No more Fleet Station. No more evil Kordolians.” Sera looked at both of them, her gaze settling on Xal. “I’m well aware it might not go to plan. I’m well aware I might end up enslaved or dead, but I’m the only Human right now who has a chance to make a difference, and there’s no way in hell I’m going to sit on my ass and wait for Earth to get bombed to bits. If I did nothing now and that happened, I’d never forgive myself.”
She said it with such certainty that Xal was moved. She was willing to risk her safety for the future of her people. What had he done to make this clever, brave female trust him so?
If she was willing to go that far, then he had to put his own fears aside and let her do this.
Tarak assessed both of them with a cryptic expression on his face. His eyes dropped to the
two tiny red points where Xal’s fangs had broken the delicate skin at her neck. He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
He turned to Xal. “I personally would not allow Abbey to do such a thing,” he said in Kordolian. “I would prefer to wage war rather than see her fall into their hands, but I am selfish like that.”
He must have forgotten that Sera still wore the translator. Or maybe he hadn’t.
One never knew with the General.
“My first instinct was the same,” Xal replied. “But she has made her point. Sera is fully aware of the dangers, and I mean no disrespect, but I am more flexible than you, General. She has made her decision as a Human who wishes to protect her own planet, and I will respect it, even though all my instincts scream against it. With her help, we might just have a chance to pull this off. If I think at any point that she is in serious danger, we will abort the mission. I will put her in an escape pod and get the hell out of there.”
Tarak glanced at Sera. “Are you absolutely certain, Human?”
“For the hundredth time,” she growled, “I said I’m doing it. I’m just waiting for you men to curb your protective instincts, as sweet as they may be, and let me do my thing. I’ve taken a few hits in my time, General.” She laughed. “You have no idea.”
Tarak gave Xal an appraising look. “She is stubborn and reckless. Some would say foolhardy.”
“Yes.” He nodded in agreement.
“Impulsive, unrealistic.”
“I know.”
“But she is brave.” There was grudging respect in the General’s voice.
“I’m right here, guys,” Sera shot them an irritated glare. Xal loved the way her brown eyes flashed, full of intelligence and defiance. He wondered where her inner strength came from. Even when she was the sole Human on a ship full of Kordolians, she demanded to be treated as an equal.
Since he’d first encountered her, she’d been unwavering and resolute.
