Esme plucked Lexi from Fanian and snuggled her nose into Lexi’s neck. Lexi squealed and giggled. “How is my wee one? You’ve grown so much!”
“She’s trying to walk now,” Adam said. “We had to baby proof our spaceship because she gets into everything.”
“Not our spaceship, Adam. Fanian’s. He was just letting us live there for a while.” Miranda tugged Fanian’s sleeve, pulling him from behind her and to her side. “Fanian, this is Esme and Payton.”
“I know you,” Payton said, narrowing her gaze on him. “You ambushed me in Level Two.”
Fanian nodded and Payton grumbled something Miranda didn’t understand. She looped her arm around Fanian’s. She didn’t know what had transpired between them, but Fanian was her hunter, a much different person than he’d been in The Hunt. “It worked out for the best. You both mated with the hunters who claimed you.”
Esme raised her hand in the air. “And my mate’s family was responsible for us being on that God-awful planet. I just have to get that out of the way. So please don’t attack him when you meet him.” She gave Payton a look. “Like some people.”
“What happened?” Miranda asked.
“Nothing for you to worry about,” Payton said, cracking her knuckles.
Esme sat Lexi on her hip and stuck out her hand to Fanian. “Nice to meet you.” Then she quickly pulled it away and gave the universal greeting. “Oops. Sometimes I forget.”
Payton nodded toward Fanian. “Themba claimed me right when I thought I was going to fight you. You said you were going after Miranda.”
“Aw, you wanted to save me?” Miranda was touched at this level of friendship.
“Yeah, but as you said, it all worked out,” Payton replied.
Miranda glanced around the room that held all types of hovercars and small shuttles. Most had the same emblem on the side. It wasn’t hard to guess they belonged to the palace. There were attendants with handheld devices scanning engines, and some were cleaning and wiping down already immaculate vehicles.
Before landing, Miranda had done her homework on the Ngonyama species. They were humanoid but were red, had whiskers, tails, and two-penises. The first thought she’d had when she’d seen a picture was that they resembled a human-lion hybrid. When she’d looked up Themba, Payton’s mate, she’d seen him in all of his fine royal garb. He was second in command to the Kgosi—King. Yes, it had worked out well for Payton.
Payton also gave Fanian the universal greeting. “I hope you don’t mind you’ll be the only male for a little while. Themba, Melis, and Xrez will meet us at dinner. They wanted us to catch up with each other first. Plus, it’ll give us time to get to know you and grill you about your intentions for our friend.”
“Payton!” both Esme and Miranda yelled at the same time.
Payton shrugged. “What? It’s true. You and Lanta were talking about it when they arrived.” Then Payton opened her mouth and eyes wide. “Oh! Jesus. With all the excitement, I forgot to introduce you to our new friend.”
She waved to the striking Black woman standing back patiently. Her hair was also in braids that went in every direction, and she was dressed similarly to Payton. Her clothes screamed she had the credits to waste on all the fine jewelry that hung from her neck, ears, and on her fingers.
“Miranda, this is Atlanta bu Kumkani, Queen of the bu Kumkani Kingdom. Her mate, Melis, is the Kgosi. We just call her Lanta.”
When Miranda gave her the universal greeting, Lanta stuck out her hand instead. “If you don’t mind I’d love a handshake. I’m learning all of Earth’s customs.”
Miranda shook Lanta’s hand. “Were you in The Hunt too?”
Lanta shook her head. “No, I’ve never been to Earth. My mom was abducted when she was pregnant with me. I was raised as an Oncun on planet Luur.”
Before Miranda could have Lanta explain all of that, Payton looped her arm around Miranda’s and pulled her toward the exit. “We have so much to catch up on, but first, let’s get you to your suite so you can settle in. I know you have burning questions about what we’ve been up to, and I have a ton myself for you and Fanian.”
“Can I ask one question first?” Miranda asked as they were leaving the transport bay.
“Shoot,” Payton said.
“What’s up with the braided hairdos? Is that the fashion on this planet?”
Payton smacked a hand over her face, and Esme burst out laughing.
“See, I told you she would ask about it!” Esme said.
MIRANDA TRIED TO HOLD in her tears to no avail. She burst out crying. “I’m so sorry. I don’t mean to cry. I’m just...just...”
Miranda glanced around at what was considered her living room. Or was it the sitting room? Or the family room? Miranda didn’t know which of the rooms this was supposed to be. There were so many in the suite that Payton and Lanta had told her was now hers if she wanted it.
Of course, she wanted it. They couldn’t live indefinitely on a spaceship, as much as Adam would prefer to. They were pale, and she had to work on keeping up their muscle tone daily. They played a lot, which consisted of spending a lot of time in the gym, running, wrestling, and lifting weights. To stay with Fanian, she would have definitely made the ship life work, but he knew, and so did she, that living on the Fortitude wasn’t ideal.
She hoped Adam would love it as much as she did. He hadn’t seen it yet. On their way to the suite, Adam had taken one look through one of the multi-colored windows at the expansive garden outside, and begged Fanian to take him and Lexi. Fanian, being Fanian, had agreed and, with one of the guards' help, made for the doors.
Miranda would’ve preferred they stick by her side for a while until she got the feel of the palace, but she couldn’t deny the longing in Adam’s eyes. When was the last time he’d been in a garden? He could see their suite after he returned from getting some much-needed sunshine. Besides, Miranda was sure Fanian had made a hasty exit because he didn’t want to answer all of Payton and Esme’s questions.
Yes, this multi-roomed, grand suite in a palace was the best option for her and her children even though it was too expensive, too big, too nice, and frankly too much.
“Overwhelmed,” Payton finished her sentence for her.
“Are you sure your husbands won’t mind we’re here? We’re extra mouths to feed,” she said, glancing from Payton to Lanta.
Payton pfted. “We’re not hurting for credits, Miranda. Your family wouldn’t put a dent in a grocery bill. Our house is your house.”
“This isn’t a house, Payton. This is a freaking palace. A palace!”
So many emotions swirled through her head. She finally had a place to call home, and it was much better than anything she could’ve ever imagined, except...she would be without Fanian.
Lanta stepped forward and reached out to Miranda, then paused. She took a deep breath then rubbed a hand down her arm. She then gave Payton a look that seemed more of a question. Payton nodded. “Please excuse me. I grew up with a species who frowned upon showing emotions and avoided touching. I’m still learning to be human.”
“You’re fine,” Miranda replied. “I have two kids that hang off me all day long. Touching doesn’t bother me.”
“Thank you.” Lanta tugged Miranda toward a couch. “Let’s sit.”
Lanta sat, and Miranda took the seat next to her. “I understand how you’re feeling. Before living here, I lived in a one-room apartment that wasn’t bigger than half the size of one of your bathrooms. I didn’t have anywhere to store food, no running water, and my bed consisted of a thin mattress on the floor properly. I’d struggled most of my life to fit in with people who didn’t see me as an equal. I was used to working hard for every scrap I had. Then Melis came into my life.”
Lanta smiled, and her face brightened. It was so infectious that Miranda found herself returning it.
“I won’t lie,” Lanta continued. “It wasn’t easy adjusting to palace life, but I wouldn’t change being here for anything else in
the world. With the Ngonyama, I’ve finally found a home. They have a strong sense of community, so you’ll never be without anything.”
Payton nodded. “Think of this kingdom as a pride. They’re fiercely protective of their family. And since you’re my family, you’ll be theirs too.”
“Do you think Az’ud will give up his claim on me once he finds out I’m here, or will us being here cause trouble?” She’d told them why Fanian had initially ignored Bradliix’s calls these past months. She didn’t want to bring problems to Ipakethe if she could avoid it.
“Ipakethe may have four different kingdoms with their own issues between each one, but one thing they all agree on is that no one messes with Ipakethe,” Payton said. “Melis will update the other Kgosis on your situation. Az’ud would have trouble on his hands if he came here.”
“But—”
“I can’t promise that Az’ud can’t slip onto Ipakethe without us knowing,” Lanta said. “It’s a large planet, and we have more visitors now that we’re trading off-world. With the construction for the tourist attractions ending soon, there’s going to be even more visitors. But I promise you this.” Lanta’s features hardened. “Az’ud won’t be taking you anywhere with him.”
Miranda let out a hard breath. They were safe. Finally, but there was still one issue. It hadn’t slipped by her that Payton’s invitation had only extended to Miranda and the kids. She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to figure out how to broach the subject. Payton and Esme had both mated with their hunters, so that couldn’t be the issue. Maybe the problem wasn’t with them and was with the Kgosi? Perhaps he didn’t like hunters? While his brother had been a hunter, it was still his brother and family trumped everything.
Esme lowered to sit cross-legged on the plush carpet in front of the sofa. “Okay, spill it. You don’t look like someone who is happy she no longer has to run all over the galaxy, avoiding a sadistic asshole who wants to make her a baby-making machine.”
Put like that, it made Miranda seem ungrateful. She should be ecstatic she was safe, and her children could grow up in a real house, er, palace, and they could go to school and play with other kids and have a good life.
“I’m sorry. I am happy.” She made it a point to make eye contact with both Payton and Lanta. “Thank you for all of this.”
“But,” Payton said.
“There is no but. Thank you.”
“Fanian isn’t going to stay, is he?” Lanta asked.
Payton looked from Miranda to Lanta, then back to Miranda again. “Wait. Why not? We thought he was moving in with you. What’s the problem?”
“Are you sure? He’s welcome too?” Miranda asked in disbelief.
“Of course! He’s your man. It’s obvious he cares for you and the kids,” Payton said.
“Cares? He’s in love,” Esme added. “The way he looks at you, it’s all about you and he loves your kids too. They adore him. You’re a package deal.”
Miranda let out a relieved breath. “Thank you guys so much. I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough. I’ll ask him to stay with us.”
“Wait. You don’t think he will? Is it something we said or did?” Payton asked, exchanging a glance with Esme.
Miranda shook her head. “It’s him. He thinks if he isn’t with us, Az’ud won’t find us.”
“But, you said he was looking for a planet for you all to settle down on?”
“Not all of us, just the kids and I. He was going to leave. He didn’t want to lead Az’ud back to us.”
“Aw, honey. He doesn’t have to do that anymore.” Payton wrapped her arm around Miranda’s shoulder, pulling Miranda to lean on her. “You guys can stay together. I mean, if that’s what you want. Otherwise...”
“I want him to stay,” Miranda was quick to add. “I really do.”
She’d been wracking her brain to make it work with all of them staying together. They were a family even if Fanian didn’t admit it. He was great with Lexi and Adam. They recognized him as a father figure, and he’d easily fallen into the role. She knew she should’ve tried to stop them from getting too attached to Fanian, but how could she do that when she herself was head over heels for him?
“I want us to stay together,” Miranda continued. “Even while we were running and I knew splitting up would be safer, I didn’t want us to part. He gives me the feeling of home. I have this warm, comfortable feeling knowing that we’re together and he’s looking out for us. I’m safe with him.”
“Because you love him.”
Miranda clutched her chest. “With all my heart.”
THEY SAT AT THE DINING table with a plethora of dishes spread about. Payton showed Miranda which dishes on the food processor they might like. Payton also had synthetic blood added for Fanian. While Miranda, Adam, and Lexi tried the different meals, Fanian nursed his container and watched Miranda. She exuded happiness.
As soon as Fanian returned from taking the kids on an exploration outside, he’d seen the change in her. Even Adam had noticed. He’d told her more than once how happy she looked. And because of Miranda’s happiness, Adam bounced on his legs that were tucked under his butt. Lexi, while she hadn’t a clue as to what was going on, giggled and stuffed hands full of mushy food into her mouth.
Why shouldn’t Miranda be happy? She was finally reunited with her human friends and had a secure place to live. After Fanian and the kids returned from exploring, Melis had stopped by briefly to ease Miranda’s fears about Az’ud taking her away. He’d explained all of Ipakethe’s state of the art defense systems. He’d also assured both Fanian and Miranda that while Az’ud was rich and powerful, he wouldn’t be able to land on Ipakethe by force.
He’d convinced Fanian this was the perfect place for Miranda and the kids. This planet was safer than any planet Fanian had taken them to by far. In fact, Fanian never would’ve been able to afford to move her to Ipakethe.
Fanian was delighted for her. He really was. Even if it meant he would be saying goodbye and leaving her forever in a few days.
Miranda looked up from one of the dishes she’d been trying and smiled at him. “Isn’t this place great?”
She’s glowing.
“It is. You and the children will have a nice life here. You’re protected against Az’ud and anyone he sends after you.”
Her eyes brightened. “Don’t you get it? This can be our home, Fanian. There’s no reason for us to split up anymore. We can stay together.”
His chest hurt. Pain radiated across his jawline from clenching it. “No, we can’t, Miranda.”
The smile dropped from her lips. She put her utensil down, losing interest in what she called “ice cream.” “Wh-why not?”
“Because even though you’re protected from Az’ud, it doesn’t mean we should let him find you.”
She took a gulping breath. “Melis assured us that even if he did come, he wouldn’t leave the planet with me.”
“That may be true, but why chance it? I’d hoped he would’ve forgotten about you by now.”
Fanian checked the bounty hunter active cases daily. He was still listed. He shook his head.
“But he hasn’t. He’s obsessed with his claim. He’s not going to stop because of Ipakethe. This planet is a good one, but I don’t think we should risk me staying here too. Without me here and with their security measures in place, you’ll be fine. I’ll just be adding an unnecessary risk to the equation.”
“But didn’t you hear what Melis said—”
“That Az’ud couldn’t land on Ipakethe by force. He won’t. But do you know who can? The Thruul. That’s the other factor we have to consider. Say Melis’s forces hold off Az’ud. Do you know what he’ll do? Call the Thruul, and the Thruul will come here, decimate areas of this planet to get to me.
Melis won’t have any choice but to turn me over. I’m a liability either way. Why put you, the kids, your friends, and the people of this planet at risk? We stick to our original plan. You stay, and I go.”
All em
otions dropped from her face. She pushed her food away. “Well, I guess you’ve got this all worked out in your head, don’t you?”
“Someone has to. All I’ve tried to do since Turolois was keep you and the kids safe.”
“By dumping us off on a planet and leaving. Never mind we’ve never lived anywhere besides Earth. Never mind we would’ve been the only humans. Never mind we would’ve been solely dependent on you. If anything happened, we would’ve been stranded with no way to take care of ourselves. Never mind I wouldn’t be able to see the only person who’s been in my life for these past months and never mind what I wanted to happen. Now that our circumstances have changed, you’re still leaving. Don’t tell me you’re doing this for my own good anymore.”
Fanian slammed his fist on the table. The food dishes rattled, and Adam and Lexi jerked away, startled. “Don’t blame me for doing everything in my power to make sure you all lead a happy and normal life. A life without being in servitude to the likes of Az’ud or blown up by the Thruul. I can’t risk it. I have to leave. Why don’t you understand that?”
“You don’t have to leave. You want to leave because staying would mean you can finally stop running from your past.”
He hardened himself against her comment. “That’s not it at all.”
Miranda humphed. “Well, we’re safe now, and you’re still abandoning us.” She stood. “Leave. Since you want to so badly.”
“Mishka,” his voice broke as he spoke.
This isn’t how he wanted them to say goodbye. He’d been trying to block this moment from his mind. Now that it was here, it was all types of wrong.
Miranda held out her hands to the kids. “Come on, let’s go take a bath before dinner. Aunt Payton said there’s a place with real water here.”
Adam pushed back from his chair, and Miranda plucked Lexi from hers. Adam glanced at Fanian. “Is Fanian coming with us?”
“No. He’s leaving. Say your goodbyes.”
Adam ran to him and wrapped his little arms around Fanian’s waist. “I wish you were staying with us,” he said softly.
Hunted by the Alien Vampire Page 23
