Page 67 of Bred by the Alien Prince

"Caspian, don't worry. It'll all work out." He held me close and kissed my forehead. Nothing mattered; we were safe, as safe as we could be.

CHAPTER 26

Lorvian

These humans were quite interesting, I would give them that. Not less than hours after an attack, they were already rebuilding, though I was certain that a few of them were their machines. The wounded were rushed to the medical bays and treated for many burns, broken bones, and cuts. The dead lined the pavement for loved ones to identify. Some had already created brick and cement from the soil to begin repairs on their crumbling homes and factories.

I crossed my legs and spun about in what Caspian called an office chair in what he further described as the CEO or director's office. The position of director was mine, I suppose, given I practically held these humans hostage. This office was also clean, untouched by the fighting that took place here. No blood or dirt anywhere. The glass was spotless and well-made, though thinner than the glass we Valisians would use. Our motto was that if it could shatter in one punch, then it was too flimsy to use. Actually, that wasn't our motto, but we made nothing that could break easily.

The office was large enough for a small bedroom; the next section housed a sizable bed, shower, toilet areas, and a small lounge. Aside from the comfort, this room was on the top floor and provided three hundred and sixty views of the entire colony and beyond its invisible border. Whoever chose this spot to build made a wise move.

I looked down at the courtyard where Swarti directed a few of the soldiers before heading this way. I still didn't know what to think of him or his motives right now. On one hand, I still didn't trust him; as I said before, he had a mind like a maze. However, it was becoming more and more apparent that I couldn't make any major moves without him or my military to back me up. Especially if the humans fixed their comms system to Earth and informed them of the attack with their little panic-stricken voices, I didn't believe they would immediately inform me they had fixed their systems before contacting their home planet.

I watched Caspian wander about below, trying his best to help anyone in need, only to find himself rebuffed at almost every turn. Poor beloved Caspian. Loved by me, yet hated by his own kind. Were they still his own? He certainly seemed to think so. I needed to mate him officially and soon, except I'd never done it before, nor had I ever met any man that had made me want to do it until now. My ignorance was showing in this regard, and I didn't know who to ask for advice.

"Sir." Swarti entered, closing the doors behind him. "The crew is working well with the humans, and construction will be underway soon, just as you ordered. However, some tension still exists, and fights seem to break out spontaneously. If I were to be so blunt, I don't understand why you would aid them to this extent, as we have our own problems."

"Why did you come here?" I turned to face him. Of course, he would still be so damn clean despite having dust and debris in his face for hours on end. "Why save me? What do you want?"

"Must I have a reason to save my Commander?"

"Cut the bullshit," I replied, not interested in this verbal tit-for-tat. "You know I don't trust you."

"I know," he replied without hurt, anger, or surprise. "That's why you purchased that ship out there and why you dismissed us."

"But you knew I was here and came instead."

"Our people needed you, and I couldn't allow you to die saving a bunch of aliens," he scoffed. "I still had a bug on you. What does it matter?"

"Who are you spying for? Is it my father?"

I watched his face turn ever so slightly, his lips curled, and eyes sharpened damn near to slits.

"I spied on you, not for your father, but because there are others who are invested in you and your successes. You are all we have. You asked me what I want from you, Lorvian. Well, I want you to be a good leader."

"And you don't think I am. Is that why you've gone behind my back? Speaking to Feion, spouting Id'arshar rhetoric, trying to kill Tavi because she saw you—"

Now, his face changed to one of concern. "I didn't try to kill Tavi," he spat. "She means nothing to me. As for Feion, so what? He was the most powerful person on Eros."

"So, you don't deny it."

"No, I don't. I figured coming into contact with him would benefit you to a degree."

"He tried to kill me."

"I know, and now you are the most powerful man in Eros."

Well, this was interesting. "How so?" I wanted to gut him from cock to throat, but I couldn't deny he had been a good help, and I was interested in what he had to say for himself. I wouldn't have made it this far in life if I was an emotional wreck.

"We've been planning Feion's death for quite some time, using him to take Eros from the Petra gang who ruled it before, and his usefulness was at an end. We could have been successful had he not taken Elvira's brother, Draven. He was all she had left, and she wasn't willing to risk losing him."

"So, you used me to dispatch him. Who the hell are you, or more importantly, who is this we?"

"Elvira and Draven, along with a few others sympathetic to our cause, are making sure Eros becomes a haven for you should you want it."

"Our cause?"

"Sir, we are Id'arshar. Including yourself."

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