by Abella Ward
“Yes, My Lady,” Misa squeaked.
“And let me tell you one thing. Aurzac is not coming back,” Shanra said, stressing each word. “He is probably dead by now.” Her voice was sinister and cold. Laughing again, she turned on her heel and strode out with Misa tailing behind.
Renaya’s head pounded with a splitting headache. She wished the nightmare would end. Oh no, Aurzac... The torture she had just endured was nothing compared to the fact that her husband was dead.
Suddenly she remembered the Oracle. The vision they had seen was this! He had chosen her as his bride. And she had been fighting with him before he left. The thought plunged her into guilt. It was all her fault. She deserved this punishment. Too numb to cry, she prayed she would wake up from this nightmare in her bed and see Aurzac alive and well.
Chapter Twelve
Lord Aurzac was in the cockpit of his ship when Aerav came to him. It had been four days since he had been aboard the Starship Sorion and there was no news from home. In a few days, they would dock at Andromeda 13. He had been trying to reach Shanra but due to some technical difficulties, the communication had been disrupted, he was told.
Today he got the opportunity to talk to her over a video call.
“How’s everything back home?” he inquired.
“All good. Terrgius is healing. Communication has been bad. I will send you the detailed report,” she said.
He noticed a strange look in her eyes. He wondered what it meant.
“How is Renaya?” he asked.
“She’s fine. Doesn’t talk much. Stays in her room,” Shanra said flatly.
Aurzac had a feeling something wasn’t right. But he brushed it off thinking he was being paranoid. The holographic screen turned to noise and the call dropped.
He sighed and took his seat as Aerav came to him.
“I have bad news, My Lord,” he said hesitantly.
“Go on, what is it?” Aurzac asked.
“I have been intercepting a continuous inflow of locked messages. The communication is between Terrgius and Velarii. I have been trying to crack the code for weeks now and today I did it,” he paused. “The origin of our messages is the Durlan Palace conference room.”
“What? How?” Aurzac asked surprised.
“The last communication was dated four days back. The day we left,” he explained, looking pale.
“What’s in the conversation?” Aurzac asked.
“My Lord, it’s disturbing.”
“What is it? Tell me now!” Aurzac ordered.
“We have a mole. The messages were being exchanged between Lady Shanra and Trobbut,” Aerav explained. Sweat broke out on his forehead.
“It looks as if they’re planning an assassination attack against you, My Lord. According to the messages, when you reach Andromeda 13, they plan to attack you. The peace meeting is a sham.”
Lord Aurzac stared at him. Rage burned inside him. His jaw clenched and he looked murderous. “What else?” he asked in an ominous tone.
“Shanra has imprisoned Lady Renaya in the dungeon.”
“No. No!” Aurzac said, fear taking over his anger. His breathing became labored. “When was this?”
“The day we left.”
“No. No. No!” Aurzac banged his fist on the table. “Not Renaya. Not her.” His voice choked and his chest constricted.
His expression was unreadable, only his eyes betrayed the turmoil within his soul. He blinked back tears that threatened to spill, his gray eyes filling with agony. He had never reacted like this before. How strange it was that his eyes welled up like that at the mere thought of his mate being tortured. He turned his face away from Aerav. He took a deep breath, tried to compose himself and then resumed commanding his ship.
Aerav had never seen his Commander like this. He saw how shattered he was. He wished he wasn’t the one bringing the news.
“Set course for Terrgius. We go back now,” Lord Aurzac ordered in a cold commanding tone. He desperately wished he hadn’t given the authority to Shanra.
***
Renaya clutched the Aramith in her hand. She sat in the corner of her cell and hugged her knees. They had taken off her restraints since she would be unconscious most of the time anyway. Despair gnawed at her soul. She had stopped eating. She just wished for death to come and end her misery. With Aurzac dead, she had no reason to live.
She daydreamed, reliving those short precious memories she had with him, clinging to them as if they were her life force. It must have been more than a week since she was imprisoned. Nobody came to see her. The prison guard would give her bland food and water. That was all. Even Ayana wasn't allowed to see her. She simply waited for death to take her to her mate.
***
She thought she was dreaming. Aurzac was there, standing in front of her. He looked so worried. She smiled and tears blurred her vision. She wanted to kiss him ... And he kissed her... Why was he crying? Lord Aurzac never cried. He took her in his arms and picked her up. Yes, she would go with him. Darkness engulfed her as he held her close.
He couldn't bear to see her like this. She had become pale and thin. Her eyes were red-rimmed and gaunt, and there were dark circles underneath them. Her hair was pasted on her face and her wrists were blue-black from the restraints. He held her close as uncontrollable tears streamed down his face. He rushed upstairs and took her to her chamber where Dr. Aldon awaited them. He stood by the entire time the doctor treated her.
“She will be fine, My Lord,” Dr. Aldon reassured him. “She’s a bit malnourished, but she’s stronger than she seems.”
“She better be. Treat her doctor. I want her back,” Aurzac commanded, turning on his heel as he left to see the arrest of Shanra for himself.
***
He stood there, stone-faced as Shanra was taken aboard the small spacecraft, bound in shackles. She gave him a look that chilled him to the bone. With her was the guard who helped her. Misa was spared as she confessed to everything, saying she was coerced.
The guards dragged Shanra and the other prisoner into the ship as it left for the prison on Andromeda 13.
Lord Aurzac went to his conference room and set up a video conference with the Council. He needed to alert them of the situation. After that, he busied himself with the battle plans.
Chapter Thirteen
He remembered that day when the doctor had treated her. And he had waited at her side as she lay there, sleeping. She still looked pale and thin. As he bent down and kissed her, her eyes fluttered open.
“Aurzac?” she whispered with an incredulous look in her eyes. “I thought I had lost you.” Her breath hitched and she heaved a sigh.
“Oh, Renaya, I am so sorry,” he said gently, taking her in his arms. His lips found hers.
“Don’t you ever leave me like that again!” she sobbed into his chest.
He tightened his arms around her and buried his nose in her hair, taking in her sweet scent.
“I didn’t know Shanra would go to this extent. But you don’t have to worry about her anymore.”
“Oh, Aurzac. Please forgive me. I... I love you...” she whispered, looking up into his stormy gray eyes.
“Shh, Renaya. You don’t have to apologize. It’s my fault that I left you like that.”
He cupped her face in his hands and looked deep into her dark eyes.
“I promise you, except for battle, you will come with me anywhere I go. I'll show you all the incredible places out there. And I will love you in a way that only you will remember, and kiss you in every place I take you. Centuries later, even if you forget everything else, you will still remember my taste like wine in your mouth, my scent on your skin like perfume. And then you will know what it means to be loved by a Durlan Warrior.” He kissed her deeply, sealing his promise.
***
One week later, Lord Aurzac was training his troops vigorously. The Council agreed to help him with re-enforcements, sending in more troops for training. His on-ground battle army had expande
d. He had a good chance of destroying the Zorg and making them leave the planet, now that the planet was gradually healing. The trees were growing along the once barren wasteland. Rivers flowed with bubbling water and crops flourished. The towns and cities were becoming better places to live. The poor people now had the opportunity to earn a sensible living. As his training session ended, he went to check in on Renaya. It had been a week since her rescue and she had recovered fast.
They shared a room now. He went inside and saw her reading. He smiled and felt a tug at his heart. She wanted to learn his tongue and had been making good progress. She was very intelligent, he had observed. She looked up and saw him, closed the book and ran into his arms. He kissed her passionately, with an urgency that made her want more. Long after they pulled apart, he still held her close.
“Renaya, my love. How do you feel?” he asked, his voice gentle.
“I’m fine,” she smiled, beaming up at him. “You worry too much.”
“Only for you, my love. Sadly, I have to leave for battle,” he said. “But guess what? Dr. Aldon just told me he has found a way to slow down the human aging process. It will prolong your lifespan just like mine.”
“So I could live as long as you do?” Renaya asked.
“Probably. And I will make sure that you are happy all of the years we spend together.”
“Thank you. Come back safe, Aurzac,” Renaya said with genuine concern. “I don’t want to lose you again.”
“I will be alright. You learn the Argarian tongue while I'm gone,” he smiled, warmth radiating from his eyes.
“And you come back in one piece,” Renaya said as she pressed her lips to his.
He tucked one free strand of hair behind her ear and bent in to claim her mouth.
They kissed deeply, one last time. He held her for a long time and then left for battle.
***
The ground battle between the Zorg and the Argarians raged for weeks. Swords clashed, bodies severed and blood spilled. In the space battle, Aurzac’s army held off the Zorg from further invasion. Lasers and explosions lit up the night sky. The Argarians wished the war would end. Many more days passed before the Zorg retreated. Trobbut went into hiding and finally Terrgius found the long awaited peace.
***
The day began with the preparations for the King's coronation and the subsequent marriage feast. The palace was alive with the many guests and the decorations being set up.
Renaya had butterflies in her tummy. She had been trying out outfits for the ceremony with the help of Ayana for days. She finally chose an exquisite green gown with a train. The veil was made of gossamer net.
“You must hurry, My Lady,” Ayana said.
“I know, I am just so nervous,” Renaya said. She couldn’t stop giggling.
“You look beautiful, My Lady. I can assure you that. Lord Aurzac won’t be able to take his eyes off of you.”
“Now you flatter me,” Renaya smiled.
***
The ceremony took place in the palace garden. The thrones of the King and Queen were placed in a stunning pavilion decorated with white flowers. A long buffet table was set on the left side of the pavilion. More chairs and oval tables were placed in the garden. Soon, guests started to gather. The ceremony began as violins and a cello played beautiful music that filled the summer air.
Renaya stood, ready to walk down the aisle. A carpet of ivory rose petals led to the pavilion. The green silk dress clung to her figure. Her shoulders were bare. The veil was draped across her neck and trailed behind. She wore the Aramith around her neck. Her hair was done in a messy bun with an intricate gold tiara that partially covered her forehead, giving her an ethereal look. She wore gold heels that matched the sophisticated thread work on the bodice of her dress. The music reminded her of a piece from Bach’s symphonies. She loved it. Feeling elated she walked down toward the pavilion where her King awaited. Her breath stopped as she saw the handsome man, dressed in simple gray pants and a white shirt. He wore his warrior’s crest on his arm. She reached the top of the pavilion and stood beside him. His look told her that he was equally mesmerized by her beauty.
The Elder pronounced their oaths as they repeated after him. He put the crown on Lord Aurzac’s head, declaring him King of Durlan Warriors. He then pronounced Renaya Queen and gave Aurzac a ring that he put on her finger. They bowed and held hands.
The crowd cheered and applauded as they sat on their thrones. Renaya understood now that she was destined to be here on this planet, in another universe, married to an alien warrior. Later she would find out that she was admired as the most beautiful Queen in the history of Durlan Warlords.
*****
THE END
Bonus Book 2: Abducted by the Alien Warrior
By: Abella Ward
Description
A curvy smuggler on her next mission PLUS a dominant alien warlord who takes her captive PLUS an enemy on their heels!
Andromeda Nus has been on her own since the age of fifteen. She’s a smuggler by trade and a good one at that. But smuggling is just a cover for her real business – aiding the human rebellion against the warrior race of aliens hell bent on conquering earth.
The Dolcivs are humanoid and hyper-aware. They are smarter, faster and stronger than their earth-born cousins. They’ve been struggling to conquer Earth, but humanity isn’t going down without a fight and not all members of the Dolcivs agree with the war.
Sent to a far distant system to pick up plans for the human rebellion, Andromeda is captured by the Dolcivs Lord, Historan Strath. But Strath is not part of the Regime conquering Earth. He is his own Lord and answers to no one.
Being Strath’s prisoner is more tempting than terrifying. Strath is wealthy and powerful and enticed by Andromeda. Can Andromeda free herself from Strath? Will she be able to bring the plans to the rebellion? Or will she fall for him instead?
Chapter One
I couldn’t stop my leg from jiggling. This was a problem. I was wearing handcuffs and every time I nervously fidgeted, the chains around my wrists would rattle. It was an unnerving sound. The jangle echoed around my cell, a stark reminder that this would most likely be the last room I ever saw.
The walls were made of a stainless steel that was colored dull gray, with a single raised bed and one sink. The room was dark, with only one bright light on overhead. The ship that picked me had looked massive. There could have easily been ten thousand souls on board. The guards had been efficient, my jail cell was inescapable. I didn't know who it was that snatched me, but I could tell that escape would not be easy.
I forced myself to stop fidgeting. I needed to be calmer than this. Whoever had me was trying to psych me out. They were leaving me alone in this cell to slowly drive myself crazy. I had no idea how long it had been since I had been dumped in here. At least two days, maybe three, with nothing to do but stare at the bare walls around me. A few hours ago a guard had come and placed the cuffs on my wrists, but he hadn’t been back since.
It had been a trap. I didn’t know if the trap was for me or someone else, but it had worked. I came out of hyperspace practically on top of a giant ship. In the few moments it took my computer to re-align I was vulnerable and in that moment the great ship swallowed my tiny one easily.
The troops had taken a while to find me. I hid down in one of my smuggling compartments secreted away far in the bowels of my ship. But they knew someone was onboard. The guards tore her apart until they found me. I had been stripped of my weapons, my clothes, even my boots. Now I was in a simple jumpsuit – unflattering to my curvy figure - and a pair of socks, nothing else.
I didn’t recognize the insignia on the uniform of the men who captured me. The decal was a series of dashes and dots. It wasn’t the insignia of the current rulers, the Dolcivs Regime. Their symbol was easy to recognize, a solid circle surrounded by a circle of dashes and another one of dots. Whoever had me wasn’t a recognized Lord in the Regime. He was a Lost Lord, and a powerful one by
the look of it.
I couldn’t take the waiting. It was driving me crazy. I stood up and began to pace back and forth. It took six and a half steps to walk the length of the cell. I began to march back and forth as my mind tried to figure out where I had gone wrong. I had been working as a smuggler for over eight years and I had never been caught before.
The job had been from a reliable client, the information passed through my broker as is the norm. The unnamed client (who is always unnamed in my business) needed something picked up in a far off system that was out of the Regime’s control. Out of the way pick-up and delivery was my specialty. I had a fast ship and I knew how to fly her. Usually, I could get in and out without anyone even knowing I was there.
I hadn’t been expecting an ambush. There was always the chance I might encounter someone on one of my jobs, but I never landed right on top of someone else.
The chances were billions to one, it was near impossible that two ships would just happen to be in such close proximity. Space is big, really big. It’s rare to run into another ship. No, it had been a trap. Whoever had set up this job had specifically sent me here. They wanted me in particular.
I had paced the length of the room ninety-seven times when the door swung open. I turned to see a Dolcivs guard standing waiting for me. Dolcivs were like humans, only bigger, stronger, and faster, their eyes were bright blue and they shined under the lights of my cage. I was already considered short, but curvy by human standards, so the eight foot tall Dolcivs warriors towered over me.
The guard grabbed me by the upper arm and wrenched me out onto the platform. I hurried to keep up with him, practically running to meet his strides.
“Where are we going?” I asked. But he didn’t say anything. Neither had any of the other guards. They were well-trained. The prison on the ship was half-empty. I passed a few cells, where sullen-looking Dolcivs and a few humans silently watched me pass.
