Page 113 of Bred by the Alien Prince

The guard spluttered in terror. "No, Sire, never! I'm loyal to you, I swear it on my life!"

With a disgusted snarl, Regis released him, sending him stumbling. In a flash, he snatched a sidearm from his belt and put a plasma bolt right between the guard's eyes. The body crumpled, halfway decapitated.

I flinched violently at the sudden violence, stomach heaving. The stench of charred flesh joined the cloying sweetness of the pod fluids still coating my skin. Several soldiers abandoned their stations, fleeing their unhinged leader. I made to follow, scrambling to my feet.

But Regis lashed out, grabbing me by the medical gown and wrenching me to him. His lips skinned back from his teeth in a feral grin, eyes manic and bright with madness.

"And where do you think you're going, little Valiman?" he hissed.

I struggled against his bruising grip, panic blotting out all rational thought. "Let me go, you psychopath!"

"Oh, I don't think so," Regis growled. His armored forearm pressed against my windpipe, cutting off my air. I clawed at him desperately, spots swarming my vision.

The ship quaked violently, sending us sprawling to the floor in a tangle of limbs. Alarms shrieked and the acrid stench of fried circuits filled the smoky air. I tried to roll away but Regis snagged my ankle, yanking me back.

"If I'm to die here," he said almost conversationally even as his fingers dug into my flesh hard enough to grind bone, "I'll make certain Lorvian spends the rest of his miserable life haunted by how I destroyed his happiness. How I ripped away his precious mate and offspring while he watched, helpless."

His voice rose to an unhinged shriek, spittle flying. "He'll suffer for every insult, every time he lorded his status over me! That smug bastard, thinking himself so superior when he's nothing but the whelp of a common whore-"

Another bone-rattling impact sent us sliding across the deck, the ship groaning around us like a dying beast. I scrabbled for purchase, sparks searing my palms, but Regis maintained his hold. His eyes held no reason, only wild malice.

I opened my mouth to plead, curse, scream, anything, but the words lodged in my throat as a familiar voice boomed over the chaos.

"REGIS!"

My heart stuttered. It couldn't be...

CHAPTER 46

Lorvian

The palace shook violently as the ships swarmed overhead, their weapons destroying the once-magnificent structure. I pushed myself up from the debris-strewn floor, my muscles straining as I lifted the thick pieces of rubble from my back and tossed them away with a grunt. The guards, their armor covered in dust and grime, rushed to my side and helped my injured father to his feet.

"Who would dare think to attack us?!" I yelled, my voice filled with rage as I looked out the shattered window at the ships attacking our home.

"Go!" My father yelled, his voice haggard and strained. "Take your ship and bring your fleet to end this madness!"

I shook my head, my heart pounding in my chest. "I won't lift a finger until I check on my mate!" I ran off, barely hearing the words he yelled at my retreating figure.

The nobles scattered about the palace like frightened critters, their once-pristine robes now tattered and covered in debris. As I reached the main hall leading to the parlor room, I saw the unlikely sight of Xil and Zantos scrambling out of the parlor.

"What the hell is going on?" I asked, demanding answers. "Where's Caspian?"

Xil was the one who spoke up, "Someone attacked and took Caspian. We tried to stop them, but one of their transport ships fired on our location. When we came out of cover, he was gone."

Enraged, I rushed into the half-destroyed parlor, the acrid smell of smoke filling my lungs and stinging my eyes. The once beautiful room was now a shadow of its former self, with shattered glass and splintered wood littering the floor. I grabbed my comms device, my fingers fumbling with the buttons as I contacted Connor. "Did you see any ships take off?"

"I saw a ship fly overhead before taking off into the stratosphere," Connor replied, his voice crackling through the device.

"Track their ship and bring our ship to the entrance of the palace. We're going to follow it," I commanded, my voice leaving no room for argument.

"Acknowledged," Connor responded, the line going dead.

I headed to the hall, my boots crunching on the debris as I stated, "I'm going to my ship to deal with the fool who took my mate."

Zantos stepped forward, "I'm sure you'll need my help."

Cursing under my breath, I ran off, jumping over the rubble and fallen columns until I reached the outside of the palace. Most of the building was smoking, the once-pristine walls now marred with scorch marks and gaping holes. Yet, the palace was largely intact from the attack. It would take a lot more than even a bombardment to bring it down. With the way all of the ships were now retreating, I wondered if bringing the palace down was even their goal. It seemed like it was just a diversion to draw us out.

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