Falling for the Alien Prince

by Hannah Davenport

  “Jenna is the other female?”

  “Yes. She takes care of two kids. Austin yelled in your face, but I didn’t see Cara this morning.”

  “And who is Jenna’s protector?”

  She tensed, her next words clipped. “No one. We didn’t need a protector until the Andores showed up.”

  But Millicent would not have been at the colonel’s office if she wasn’t assigned one. “And you?”

  “Do we really need to talk about this right now?”

  The way her body stiffened ever so slightly and the subtle tone of her voice told me there was much left unsaid. Perhaps she was in trouble and didn’t want to admit she needed help. Her reaction to a simple question left a crack in the armor of her strength. Not that it lessoned my respect for her.

  “Maybe I can help,” I offered.

  “This is my problem and I will take care of it.”

  She pushed up from the bed, brushing the black strands from her face. She looked so odd with those round dark eyes that held so much emotion in their depths.

  As she climbed off, I caught a glimpse of round mounds, the swell of her cleavage as she got to her feet. I wanted to taste her suppleness, caress it with my hands. Did she know that she was inviting me to do just that?

  Any female who dressed as Millicent did was inviting a male to her bed, to thrust deep inside while dominating her.

  I swallowed a groan as I glimpsed slim but muscular thighs. Would she be wet for me?

  I watched while she strapped a dagger on each thigh, then slipped on a pair of loose-fitting pants. Looking over her shoulder, she asked, “I know it’s dinnertime, but want me to fix you some breakfast?”

  I knew those words. Humans named their meals. Teasing Millicent and trying to get my mind off the raging hardness of my cock, I countered, “Do you have any frogs?”

  Her twisted expression of disgust made me laugh.

  “I like it when you laugh,” she said suddenly. “It makes you seem…less intense.”

  “Perhaps it is your company.”

  Her gaze was riveted to mine, the air electrified. I could smell her desire as her eyes traveled down to the tent of the blanket. They widened slightly, then she looked away and attempted to play down the situation.

  “Nah, that’s not it.”

  Her reaction made me desire her even more. She either didn’t like it because I was not Human, or she was innocent when it came to bed play.

  Time would tell.

  “Take your time,” she added without looking at me. “I’m going to fix something to eat. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”

  9

  Millicent

  What the hell is wrong with me? I shouted at myself internally. I let him pull me into his side as if we were lovers. We’re not! Not even close!

  And yet my heart fluttered away like a school girl who’d just stolen her first kiss.

  I didn’t even find him that attractive, not really. Okay, his confidence was alluring and the way he tried to protect me turned my insides to jelly. But I didn’t have time for anything romantic—only revenge. When I had justice for the death of my family, then maybe…

  Shaking my head, I cursed myself. The last thing I needed was to get to cozy with Murda.

  The only hiccup to the plan was that I never expected to like him so damn much! Even though I was the one who saved him, he had my back. A true partner. I’d never had someone to rely on before. Not really. I mean, I had Jenna, but I felt responsible for her and the kids, not the other way around. And if I was honest with myself, I felt safe around Murda. Plus he did give me the emergency call button or whatever that tiny device was called…

  Walking into the kitchen, Jenna and Cara were seated at the small metal table.

  “Look who’s finally up.” Jenna smiled, but it seemed strained as her eyes slid over my shoulder, probably searching for Murda.

  “Did you really bring home a Tizun?” Cara asked, her tone a mixture of wonder and dread.

  “Yeah.” I scrubbed my face with my hand. Today had been all sorts of messed up. “Sorry about that.”

  Jenna looked away and I knew she still felt torn. I couldn’t blame her for that. After eating, I’d take Murda back to the pond and from there, he could find his own way back to his territory.

  Maybe no one will figure out where he went, and we can all go back to some semblance of normal, I thought.

  But somehow, I knew that was impossible, and nothing would ever be the same again.

  I opened the upper cabinet door, looking over the scarce contents before shutting it and opening another. A loaf of white bread, crackers, some canned vegetables… I grabbed the loaf.

  After toasting the bread, I grabbed a skillet. The eggs sizzled as I stared aimlessly at nothing.

  Without seeing him, I knew the moment he entered the kitchen. I felt his eyes on my back as tense silence filled the air.

  Glancing over my shoulder, he stood bare-chested in the doorway. The glyph on his left upper shoulder shimmered in the yellow light. He looked so alien, so…

  I shook my head and swallowed hard, then tried to lighten the awkward situation. “How do you like your eggs?”

  I thought I saw a look of disdain cross his face before he quickly schooled it.

  “Any way is fine. Thank you.”

  I held his eyes a mere second, then took two plates from the cupboard and filled them with toast and eggs, setting them on the table. After placing a glass of water next to his plate, I nodded at the vacant chair. “Have a seat.”

  His eyes slid to Jenna and Cara before he cautiously lowered down and sat stiffly on guard.

  “Wow,” Cara began, acting unaffected by Murda’s presence. “I can’t believe you actually brought a Tizun to our house.”

  “Cara, be nice!” Jenna chastised.

  “What? I am being nice.”

  “Where are my manners? Murda, the red-headed girl is Cara, and this,” I nodded toward my friend, “is Jenna.”

  He inclined his head slightly in acknowledgement but never said a word.

  Eating slowly and silently, Murda didn’t seem to like the food. His eyes narrowed, wrinkles forming on his forehead, and he repeatedly washed each bite down with a gulp of water.

  “Jenna!” Austin’s voice drifted in. “Look what I found!” He came dashing in with a toothy grin, a worm dangling from his dirty fingers.

  “Austin, get that thing out of here!”

  “But I found it,” he almost whined, the smile turning to a frown. “Can I keep him?”

  I watched in horror as Murda stared at the worm like a tasty morsel.

  Please, don’t! My stomach churned and when his eyes found mine, I barely shook my head. He flashed me a ferocious smile and for a moment, I feared he really would snatch the tiny thing away from Austin and swallow it in one gulp.

  Surely, he doesn’t eat things like worms and frogs unless it’s absolutely necessary? I asked myself. No, not even then could I eat such a thing. And poor Austin will be traumatized! I think we all will…

  “No,” Jenna’s voice cut in sharply. “Take it outside.”

  Austin turned and stomped away. “You never let me keep anything!”

  “Well.” Cara slid out of her chair. “This has been fun, but I have things to do.”

  “Cara…” Jenna warned while giving her the ‘Don’t do it’ motherly look, a look I’d seen Jenna give her more and more often lately.

  “Oh, Jenna. Stop worrying!”

  Jenna stood next; I wagered that she would follow Cara outside and give her the lecture in private.

  When Murda slid his chair back and rose, my blood ran icy as I watched Cara maneuver herself slightly behind him. I knew what she would try and do.

  Slowly, I pushed up from the table just as Cara…

  It all happened so fast: Murda spun and shoved Cara against the wall, one clawed hand circling her throat.

  Jenna screamed at the same time I yelled “No!”

&n
bsp; Quick as lightening, I had my dagger unsheathed and pressed firmly against his throat. “Let. Her. Go.”

  Ignoring me, he pressed his face close to Cara’s. “You think you can steal from me, young Human?”

  Tears streamed down Cara’s ashen face. I pressed the edge of the dagger further, barely breaking his skin. “She’s a kid. Let her go.”

  Murda leveled fiery brimstone eyes on me. Indecision crossed his features.

  “Please,” I added.

  I’d already lost one family; I wouldn’t lose this one too. Yes, I liked him. But I wasn’t above killing anyone to protect what was mine.

  His nostrils flared and he released Cara, who crumbled to the ground. Kneeling, Murda held out his hand.

  “Give them back,” he commanded.

  “Here, take them!” Cara spat, almost throwing something at him, then rubbing her neck. “It’s not worth anything anyways!”

  Jenna dropped to the floor and wrapped an arm around Cara’s shoulders, glaring up at Murda.

  “Go!” Her eyes danced between the two of us and I knew that simple word also included me.

  My chest felt heavy as I sheathed the dagger. In trying to help one person, I’d lost everything.

  Just like that.

  I headed to what used to be my bedroom, grabbing the bag I kept for emergencies. Murda trailed after me, but I couldn’t look at him, not right now.

  From the corner of my eye, I watched him pick up his discarded shirt and knew he was waiting for me to say something.

  Sorry buddy. Not happening.

  This was an argument better left unspoken, or at least hashed out in privacy. As mad as I was at that moment, if I told him off now, the entire neighborhood would hear.

  With one last look at my room, I spun and stormed out the door.

  I’d just made it down the steps when I heard, “Millie, where ya goin’?”

  I turned, swiping a stupid tear from my eye and smiling at carefree little Austin.

  If life was only that simple, to enjoy things once more through the eyes of a child…

  “I’m showing my friend the way home,” I replied softly.

  Austin quickly eyed Murda before toeing a pebble. I squatted down and smiled, placing my hands on his arms.

  “I have some things I need to take care of, so it may be awhile before I’m back,” I added. “You be good for Jenna, okay?”

  He hesitated a moment, then threw his little arms around my neck. “Bye Millie.”

  And then he spun and took off at a sprint around the house.

  Standing, I swiped another tear and walked away.

  “Millicent?” Murda called from behind me.

  I ignored him.

  “Millicent?” he tried again.

  “Not talking to you.” Slinging the pack over my shoulder, I quickened my steps.

  I felt like such an idiot for bringing him here. What was so damn important that he had to threaten a child? And Cara was a child, even if she didn’t think so.

  I walked on in silence, always staying five steps ahead of Murda. I felt angry, perhaps betrayed, yet the last thing I wanted to do was confront him right now.

  I would do that later, when I was good and ready. And I could guarantee he wouldn’t enjoy it.

  _________________

  Back at the pond, darkness had fully descended, and the moon cast a silhouette, providing what little light there was.

  The silence felt like a living, breathing, intense entity, and I didn’t know what to do about it. I wanted him to leave more than I wanted him to stay. It didn’t matter that I loved his company. Because of him, I’d lost my adopted family. Until tonight, I hadn’t realized how much I enjoyed being around the chaos.

  Another alien invading my world and taking away everything I love… I thought bitterly, then sighed. At least this time they’re alive.

  “Millicent?” Murda softly closed his hand around my upper arm.

  I spun, rage flaring.

  “We took care of you!” I yelled. “We gave you food!”

  “You did.” He dropped his hand.

  My chest heaved. “What was so damn important that you had to attack Cara? She’s just a child! Don’t you people have innocent children on your world?”

  When he stood rooted, staring at me in silence, my anger grew tenfold. Crossing my arms, I turned my back on him.,

  “Just go,” I said, defeated.

  I don’t have time for this…whatever this is, I thought. Why am I still here? I got him to safety and his people will find him. I owe him nothing, and there’s clearly too many differences between us…I have too much to figure out. I need to go.

  And yet I still just stood there.

  “Millicent…” Murda placed his hand on my shoulder.

  I closed my eyes as the silence grew between us. After several minutes, he finally said, “As I told you before, we believe that Earth’s government is blocking our beacon. That is why our people have not rescued us. One of my men developed jammers…”

  I glanced over my shoulder as he slipped his hand out of his pocket, revealing two small pulsating discs.

  “And Cara took them?”

  “Yes.”

  I turned away. That still didn’t give him the right to threaten Cara, not after everything we’d done for him. We didn’t have food to spare, and yet we’d fed him, gave him a safe place to sleep. The way he had treated Cara was downright rude and disrespectful, not to mention violent. And now I would suffer the consequences of helping him.

  And yet, there had to be something seriously wrong with me, because I still craved his company.

  Perhaps I’d gone too long without real companionship; I had never met any Human men that piqued my interest, and the Andores were definitely out of the question.

  Only Murda...

  Mysterious, yet sincere. Honest…a fleeting quality in most.

  Still…

  “That’s no excuse,” I finally said. “She is a child.”

  “If she chooses to act like an adult, then she should be treated accordingly,” he countered.

  I spun on him, arms dropping to my sides. “What’s that supposed to mean? You believe in abusing children?”

  He took a step closer, leaning in, the look in his eyes defending his actions. “Of course not. What that means, my dear Millicent, is that if she chooses to steal, lie, and commit offenses, then she should be held accountable for her actions.”

  Those strange brimstone eyes slightly glowed, his aura turning a darker gray. It was subtle in the shadow of night, but clearly there. Again, I was questioning my judgment and if the accuracy of the aura colors was anything more than a spur of the moment color according to the circumstances of the moment. If so, it would prove unreliable in judging overall character.

  “She is a child!” I insisted.

  “She is not.”

  “She is Human!”

  He conceded that fact with a slight nod of his head.

  “But you forget,” he replied in a low, warning tone, “that I am not.”

  The ferocity of his countenance and stern, matter-of- fact tone reminded me that he was indeed other. I must never get too comfortable with him and forget that fact. The rules I played by didn’t apply to him or his people.

  Glancing up at him one last time, I realized I knew nothing about him. Nothing at all.

  I felt lost and alone, with nowhere to go. Spinning around to stare at the water, I crossed my arms.

  To calm my anger, I had to remember that even though Murda was one hundred percent out of line, Cara did know better.

  Why the hell would she steal from someone who knows where she lives? I wondered, baffled. I thought she knew better than that! If Jenna ever lets me back in the house, I’ll teach her safety.

  Chewing on my lower lip, I shook my head. How idiotic was that? Tips on how to steal safely. How absurd. What the girl actually needed was lessons in how to make an honest living, not encouragement for a life of crime.


  The heat of the moment drained away. After a beat, I managed to normalize my tone. “What do you need to do with those…jammers?”

  It took a few minutes for him to answer. Maybe he wanted to discuss our argument further, but that discussion was closed in my book. We couldn’t agree, so there was no point arguing about it. Even if I conceded that Cara was wrong, I’d never admit it. I had to live with the damage and be homeless.

  Maybe.

  I believed in time Jenna would let me come back, but some of the trust had been broken between us. And it was all my fault. I had always known I would have to leave; the time had just come much sooner than I’d expected. Now I had to figure out if I even wanted to go back, or leave things as is. I mean, now that I was on Jyan’s radar, the last place I should be was at Jenna’s house.

  “I have to place them in two different areas of the government building.”

  I laughed humorlessly. There was no way in hell they’d let him walk around inside the building. The colonel had relegated him to his office and the tunnel underneath. Surely he knew this!

  “They won’t let you go anywhere except the office.”

  Silence was a lonely, albeit head-clearing thing, but I must have been out of my mind when I turned and held out my hand.

  “Do you trust me?” I asked. It was a double-edged sword. I trusted him enough to take him to Jenna’s. Besides, I had nothing else to do but hunt down Raun. If I could plant those jammer things and somehow hurt the colonel in the process, well, that was a win-win for me.

  An eternity seemed to pass while I stood with my hand outstretched. He didn’t want to give them to me, but after visible hesitation, he finally reached into his pocket and pulled out two small discs, carefully placing them in my hand. He didn’t let go, instead covering my hand with his own.

  Worry flashed in his eyes. “It could be dangerous.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  His eyes remained locked with mine, searching for something. He must have found it because a moment later, he dropped my hand and took a step back.