Page 10 of Alien Knight Teddy Bear Troubles

He considered what he knew of the Dark Ones and their ships. “Two, maybe three days head start.”

She rubbed her forehead like she was experiencing pain. Seated on the floor, holding tightly to his Kuvu bear, Ion’s head dangled at an odd angle. He was asleep.

Cassie noticed the direction of his gaze and looked down at Ion, a soft smile transforming her face from strategist to protective female in an instant, and Taeger found himself thinking she would make an excellent mother. A strong leader. A good partner.

Fuck. What was wrong with him? She was human. He knew nothing about her and she thought he was Caldorian, of all things.

Cassie lifted her gaze and flushed when she caught him staring. “He’s exhausted. We all are.”

He wanted to hold her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be all right. But he had no right, and was quite sure she would refuse his offer of comfort. “We’ll be on my ship soon.”

She nodded and returned her attention to the control panel in front of her, scanning for threats, assessing the damage to the larger ship, all while stroking Ion’s hair.

Chapter Four

Lumerian Ship: The King’s Fury

Taeger’s gazelocked onto the viewscreen. They were in the clear of the Dark One’s ship, but judging by the distinct lack of debris floating around, it wouldn’t take them long to repair the damage and give chase. He sighed in disappointment but not surprise. Dark tech, ships included, were highly advanced, even more so than the Lumerian’s. They were a formidable enemy.

His thoughts turned inward to the human woman now occupying his sleeping quarters. There had been nowhere else to put her, and Ion refused to go to sleep without her nearby. He had no idea where he was going to sleep now, but she’d looked so small and vulnerable, he hadn’t been able to resist offering her a safe place to sleep.

Greig stepped up beside him and gave him a slap on the back. “Glad you made it back in one piece, old man. Looks like you’re wearing some of those bastards. Smells like it, too,” he sniffed.

Taeger raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms. He was still covered in gore, hadn’t had a chance to wash it off. He wanted to make sure they were long gone from the Dark Ones’ sensors before he cleaned up. The long gash from the Dark One’s claws was already healing. “Falden Corshival is old. I am young and in my prime.”

Greig grinned. “Right. That decade he has on us makes all the difference.”

“Exactly so.” Old? Taeger was old, it was true, but then so was Greig. They’d been raised like brothers, they all had; Marcano, Greig, Seth, Lyari, Elduin, Belsaran, Almar, and Taeger. Their parents had been friends. Lumerian Knights. Lured into a trap, the adults had been assassinated, leaving their children orphaned.

Taeger had been the eldest at twelve, already showing signs of becoming a great warrior, blessed with tremendous power. The others had been younger, adapted more easily to the new home they’d been placed in together. They’d already been friends, drawing closer after the tragedy. Orphans in a world of near immortals. They’d felt alone. Outcasts, even if only in their minds. They’d formed an unbeatable team, studied together, trained together, spent long hours with single-minded focus bent on discovering who had murdered their parents. They’d had nothing to lose long before their planet had been destroyed by the Vilitos under orders of the Intergalactic Council. They took chances others wouldn’t take. Became comfortable in the dark. Taeger had earned the nickname ‘Commander’ long before he’d been given his own command.

Their king, Ion’s father, had taken notice early on. Watched them grow into honorable men. Fierce, deadly warriors. As the years passed their reputation for drawing out the enemy only grew. They were trustworthy and loyal. As Taeger had matured, he and the king became close friends. Taeger had a sharp mind and a quick wit, eventually becoming the king’s most trusted Knight, nicknamed “Tip”, as everyone came to know he was the tip of the royal sword. Fast. Deadly. Fearless. Without hesitation. When Lumeria had come under attack he was the first one on the battlefield, swarmed by the enemy. Outnumbered. Fighting a losing battle with relentless determination. Refused to give in. Fought like a madman, desperate to save his world.

As Lumeria burned and people began dying, the king had ordered him to leave the fight and take his two year old son to safety. Keep the boy in cryo-sleep until it was safe. Taeger had initially refused. He wanted to stay. Do what he could to save his people. Instead, he’d had to watch as others sacrificed. Died. He’d vowed never to let that happen again. “Have you checked on the boy?”

“Yes. He sleeps.”

“And the human?”

“She is in your quarters, as you requested.”

“Good. She kept Ion safe. We owe her a debt.” Taeger’s mind involuntarily returned to the human.Cassandra.She’d been ready to sacrifice herself for Ion, and apparently some forgotten treasure, standing there in front of the Dark Ones, and with what, a knife? His heart had nearly stopped when he saw what she was doing.Never. Never will I allow her to sacrifice herself. Not for any reason. She’s so small. Tiny. She should be protected. Cherished.

Greig cleared his throat. “We’ve prepared Lyari’s body.”

Taeger’s heart ripped open, the memory of Lyari’s brutal death fresh in his mind. This was his fault. He’d insisted on rescuing Ion immediately. Refused to wait. He was in command. Lyari’s death was on his shoulders. He nodded, his whole body stiff with tension. His head pounded. “We’ll wait until we get back to Mora Five for the ceremony. He hated traveling in space. We will not say our goodbyes out here.”

Greig nodded sadly. “Figured you’d say that. Already put him in cryo. Tip, he wouldn’t want you to blame...”

“Don’t.” Taeger cut him off mid-sentence, his heart contracting not only at the thought of Lyari, but at hearing the nickname so long unused.

“Ion is more important than all of us,” Greig said, trying again. “Lyari knew it. We all knew.”

When Taeger remained stubbornly silent, Greig sighed. “Fine. Have it your way. At least tell me what you want to do with the human? Belsaran told me what you did back there, throwing her over your shoulder like that. Spanking her?” he prodded.

Lips quirking in amusement, Taeger turned his head to stare at Greig. “And did he tell you what she was about to do? Run off by herself? Take on all the Dark Ones alone?”

“Sounds pretty fucking brave to me,” Greig responded, shrugging. “So why the spank?”

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