Page 15 of Into The Rift

“So not too productive then?”

“No. He’s as volatile and crazy as you described him.”

“I don’t think I said all that. I’m sure he’s upset about you holding his mate and his unborn child.”

“Yes, I was able to gather that much.”

“What are you going to do? Have you…have you decided to take me up on my suggestion?”

He gazed at me for a long moment. “The one where I send Rakkur back to his mate and keep you? Yes, I believe I have.”

“R-really? I mean, you have?” My stomach flipped for a second and I couldn’t draw in a full breath. I realized he was staring at me.

“Have you changed your mind, princeling?”

“I…no, no. I haven’t changed my mind.” Realizing that I was a little out of breath and that it was my heart that was making that loud thumping sound in my chest, I took a deep breath and tried again.

“No. I still think it’s the only way to do this without bloodshed, and it gives Rakkur his best chance to make it back home to have his baby.”

After all, I’d always craved adventure. I’d always longed for it and wanted nothing more than to travel and see things I’d never seen before. This would definitely count. I claimed to be a full-grown man. It was time for me to take an action that would support what I’d been saying to everybody for so long

I squared my shoulders and looked directly into those strange, otherworldly eyes. “Yes, I have to do this. Can you contact Colonel Tariq and make the arrangements?”

“Better to wait, I think. I don’t want to appear too anxious to make a deal.”

“Oh. Well, it’s just that Rakkur is having some pains low in his back, and I remember hearing someone say that labor pains can start that way, and…”

“It’s unlikely he’s having labor pains as you call them, since he still has a while to go. And I believe aches and pains are common in the last weeks.”

“Do you know that for sure? Was that how your wife was?”

“I don’t have a wife or a husband either. I grew up in a place where—I don’t know what word you would use for it in your language. It’s where the emperor keeps his multiple wives and concubines. We call it a dula.”

“Did you say, multiple? Like in a harem?”

“If that’s a place where emperors keep their multiple wives and concubines, then yes. Women are always around, and many handsome young men. Many of the women are having babies or in various stages of pregnancy. As I said, I grew up there and I’m a bit familiar with that kind of thing. But I can still send the prince to the infirmary if you think it’s necessary.”

“If he’s going back home soon, there shouldn’t be any need.”

“Be sure you understand that if you do this, you’ll be taken hostage by the emperor, and he’ll want to take you to his dula. There’s only one way out of that I can think of—I’d have to claim you as my own bounty and my prize. And take you as my concubine.”

I stared at him with my mouth falling open. “What?”

“Close your mouth, princeling. It would be in name only and a way to keep you from being sexually abused by the emperor until your family pays for your return. Your family will pay more for you if you’re intact and unharmed. I intend to negotiate with them—the emperor will not.”

“Oh. So it will all be for show?”

“Yes, but I still want you to know what you’re getting yourself into. It may take a while. Linnius, the Emperor of the Pton, maintains an extensive palace where he keeps his many wives and male concubines. These are often from royal families of those he has conquered in battle and then they were taken captive or gifted to him by the families to appease him. I think he’ll want us to live there in the dula so he can observe us closely. I have no fear of him, and I can keep you from harm, but you have to be vigilant and brave. You must be defiant, like you’ve been here on this ship. Can you do that?”

“I can do that. But what do you get out of it?”

“Tygerian Diamonds. They don’t have great value to us except as a commodity. Something I can use as leverage and a trading tool with other planets. Linnius won’t like it if I trade for you. He’ll want me to keep you as insurance.”

I shrugged as expressively as I could. “Keep me? You should know that if he touches me or abuses me in any way, I’ll kill him.”

He couldn’t hide his smile. “I truly believe you would. But it’s unnecessary. I owe him a debt of honor myself, and I have no interest in pandering to him.”

Chapter Five

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