Page 97 of Bred by the Alien Prince

"Yeah, I'm glad you're okay too. Did Cormac make it?"

"Yeah."

"Good... Lorvian... I think our… just hurry, okay," I said, too afraid to tell him I may had lost our baby.

I turned off the comms; better to do that than have him wring the news out of me. I was afraid he wouldn't want me anymore, that I had nothing to offer, or that he may just decide I wasn't worth saving. I knew this was all paranoia on my part, but what did I have to offer anyone? I was a fuck up and had been my whole life. I refused to listen to him and now my baby paid for it. He would have every right to kick me to the curb or worse.

A loud bang, and then another hit the door. "I don't think that's Lorvian," I said, on guard.

"No. They followed us here." Zai leaned against the console. "If your friends do not come soon, we are done."

I heard the ship's engines barreling towards us. I waved, hoping he saw me through the station's glass window, which was as wide as the station itself. I turned on the comms. "We can't get out! They're at the door!"

"Get down!"

We dropped to the floor as the guns shattered the glass around us, and Lorvian leaped across. Grabbing me, he dove into the airlock.

"Wait!" I said, pointing to Zai, who struggled to stand. "He's a friend!"

I watched Lorvian go for him and bring him across. I still didn't know if I could trust Zai completely, but he got me here, and I couldn't stand leaving anyone to whatever fate these bastards had in store.

CHAPTER 39

Lorvian

Caspian was wounded and weak as he fell into my arms; the tunic he wore was wet, muddy, torn, and bloodstained. He tried to say something but instead slumped like a rag doll. I lifted him in my arms and ordered Connor to get us the hell off this planet.

I placed him on the bed in the med bay, where Cormac was also out, and removed his filthy clothing. I noticed the bandage on his abdomen and the blisters and cuts on the soles of his feet. He looked like he'd been through hell and back.

Connor announced we were in orbit. Another bout of pain hit me, a wave I was not getting used to. My body could filter most poisons in a few hours, but this seemed to linger worse than any I've ever experienced. I gave way to coughing and hacking, bringing up more blood than before.

The man Caspian told me to rescue stood at the end of the hall, using the wall for support. He looked weak, but he was also Valisian. That much was certain. The little dark-haired boy ran to the man, his little feet pattering on the floor. He dropped to his knees, his dirty, ragged-bottomed tunic tucked under his knees.

"A God! A God!" He cried and lowered his head. "I'm sorry for not praying every night!"

"Please don't do that." The man tried to walk past the boy, his voice raspy and strained.

"But why are you not with the Lucani? Are they no more?" The boy crawled along, his large eyes pleading for an answer.

Yet the other gave none. He approached, his steps careful until we were standing face to face. "The Rackni poisoned you. You will die in a few days without the geno plant."

"Dammit!" I spat a glob of blood and mucus. "There's always something. Where is this plant?" I would smash something if he told me it was back on that planet.

"It grows on the mountains to the east."

Well, shit. "The planet is already vanishing, by the time we reach the location the planet will be almost gone."

"I know. However, the geno plant is the only known cure."

"Only known cure," I repeated with a groan. Of course, it would have to be the only known cure. Of course, flushing the toxins myself wouldn't be as simple.

I tried to keep it together as I went to the bridge where Connor was flying. The planet still lingered below, but a part of it was already vanishing within the dust cloud. "Don't leave this planet's orbit just yet. I need to return."

Was that shock I witnessed his fine features warped to for just a moment? "But..."

"I'm taking the shuttle." I didn't want to waste time explaining. It would be another precious second gone to waste.

"Sir, that shuttle is meant only for spaceflight. I don't think it will work under gravity."

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