Page 51 of Bred by the Alien Prince

“Could it be a pregnancy?” I asked but didn’t think he could answer. Now I was missing my ship, there I could at least call a doctor.

“There is a med bay onboard. I can perform a few tests and see what is wrong,” the machine said, leaving the room as if I had not just tried to fling him into space.

“Now I have to place my man’s life in the hands of a machine.” A machine he seemed to trust, but still.

“Just help me get there!” He ordered, and I swept him in my arms to take him there.

We waited in the doorway as the machine performed a few tests, biometric scans, and whatever else he said he needed to do. I didn’t trust him. The stories I’ve heard about them were too horrific, even for the average Valisian war tale.

Cormac placed his hand on my shoulder, most likely sensing my desire to reach out and grab that machine and stop it from touching him.

“Go cool off,” Caspian demanded.

“That would be a good idea.” Cormac agreed.

Who were they to order me about? Since when did this human think himself my equal? I was losing control of my own damn ship! I left anyway with the young human behind me.

“Here’s a bit of advice.” He said once the doors closed. “On second thought, never mind.” He must have realized I was in no mood for this shit.

The human stood a foot away once we waited in the hall.

After what seemed like forever, the machine exited the room, and even though I didn’t want to listen to a damn thing it said, it was all I had right now. “I have conducted as many tests as the equipment allowed. Unfortunately, it was not much. The space can fit much more for maximum efficiency–”

“Can it, tin can! Just tell me what’s wrong with my man!”

“Pardon... It would appear that RA…I mean…Caspian’s physiology is mutating. The equipment cannot show the proper cause. He will need to be moved to a well-equipped med bay.”

If it wasn’t one thing, it was something else, and I didn’t want to go back to my ship, but it was the only place I knew with a stocked med bay and lab. “We can go back to my ship. I have a full medical staff on standby,” I said, though I didn't know if I trusted any of them.

“I do not need a full medical staff, just the equipment.”

“Okay then.” Cormac sighed. “Just give me the nav point.”

“Fine. Looks like we’re heading back to Eros.”

The machine couldn’t be trusted, but neither could my second nor anyone else onboard my capital ship.

I sat by Caspian’s side and wiped the sweat from his brow, he seemed different when we were coupling but sickness was the furthest thing from my mind. However, it reminded me of how reckless I was with his wellbeing.

We reached my ship, and I hailed my crew with my secret passcode. Cormac guided the vessel inside the hangar, and I carried Caspian onboard, where Swarti attempted to stop me. I passed him by and didn’t stop for anyone until I laid him on a bed in the lab.

“I dismiss everyone until further notice,” I announced to the med staff. “Swarti, you can return to your post.”

“But, sir. I’m your second and should at least know what is going on here.”

“That is the problem, isn’t it?” I sneered, making him feel the full weight of my displeasure. “You need to always know what is going on with me. Leave me, now.”

“Y--es sir.” He said, and he left without another protest.

“The least you can do is be nicer to the people watching your back.” Cormac felt the need to give me his piece of unsolicited advice.

“Shut it.”

Once again, we were in the predicament of waiting outside the door. I hated it here; I think perhaps I always did to a certain degree. I felt like a stranger on my own ship. Was it the same for Zantos or Xil?

“Holy shit!” I heard Caspian's muffled exclaim from the room and bolted back inside.

“What is it?” I asked, hoping to hear the news of a pregnancy rather than something dire.

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