Page 70 of Alien Prince Fake Fiancé

“I…I..” Ashlyn’s eyes rounded in understanding. In shock. Dread. “I went to find Rachel and bumped into him. He whispered in my ear, told me to run, so I did. I ran. When you got hurt, I was so focused on you, I forgot about it.”

Zade nodded. “He gave you an order. You had no choice. You ran straight for Bone Crusher, knowing he was going to kill you. I know. I relived it during the Yielding. I felt the compulsion take hold of you.”

Shaking, she scrambled off the bed and began to pace, dragging the sheet with her. “How? When? I never agreed to be his wife.”

“I’ve been thinking about that.”

Ashlyn stopped pacing and swung around towards him angrily. “You’ve been thinking about it and didn’t think to share it with me? Talk to me about it?” Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “Warn me?”

“There was no reason to upset you when Ubrion was nowhere near you,” he growled. “Now that’s changed. I want you to go back to The Reaper and wait, out of reach, until he’s dead.”

“No.”

“Then promise, no matter what happens while I am in the arena, you will stay well away from his people and go nowhere without guards. I’m sure he’s learned from his mistake, and realized you are far more valuable to him as a living puppet.”

“You think he’s come here to turn me into his sex slave?” she snorted.

Zade rubbed the scruff on his cheek, hesitating. “That would only be the beginning. I have no doubt he wants me dead, but ultimately, in his eyes, I am irrelevant. He knows the chains of obedience are already working or you wouldn't have obeyed his command to run to the Dark One. The Ubrions are in league with the Dark Ones, which has become very apparent, andtheyobey the A’Nua Na-KI. A command from C’Nar could be a command from the A’Nua Na-KI.”

“Wait. I’ve heard that name before. Who are the A’Nua Na-KI?”

Again, Zade hesitated. “The undead.”

“Whoa! Slow down. Back the fuck up. The what?!”

“The undead. They are powerful, evil blood drinkers. Fearless. Unwavering. They have no conscience, care for nothing and no one, not even their own kind. I have never come face to face with one. I don’t know that anyone has and lived. They use the Dark Ones as mediaries, rarely showing themselves. The Dark Ones won’t make a move without orders from the A’Nua Na-KI.”

Ashlyn’s mind raced, putting the pieces of the puzzle together. “Do you realize what we’ve done?”

At Zade’s blank look, she continued, “If what you’re saying is true, then we didn’t just steal the Council seat from the Ubrions. We stole it from the A’Nua Na-KI.”

They stared at one another in stunned silence. Long minutes ticked by before Zade said, “All he has to do is figure out a wayto get you within hearing distance. He could turn you into the perfect assassin, order you to kill someone and then forget, or command you to order the destruction of whole cities.”

“Or force me to allow the Dark Ones and the A’Nua Na-KI into Cappra to take whatever they want.”

“You now hold a very powerful position, which they could use mercilessly. Whatever they wanted you to do, you would be unable to resist, while no one would blame them for anything you did. That is absolute power. You are also human. Don’t forget there is a bounty out on any human they can catch. You, in particular, will be an irresistible target.”

Ashlyn came to where Zade was sitting, knelt between his legs and rested her hands on his thighs, all her anger gone. Her eyes shone with love and absolute faith in his ability to protect her. “I’ll stay away from him, my love, but I’m not going to hide. Let them come. We’ll be ready.”

For the first time in his life, Zade’s hand was less than steady as he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “No one is ever ready for the A’Nua Na-KI. The undead are evil incarnate. I can’t lose you,shenga.”

“You won’t. We live together and die together. Those assholes think they know what they’re up against. They don’t. I may not have superpowers, but I have the biggest, fiercest military commander, prince, and Saltrec warrior on Caldor as my mate, and a Council seat at my disposal. It istheywho won’t be ready forus.”

Zade’s chest filled with pride for his mate. She was incredible. A week ago, she was afraid to play fake fiancé, and now she was ready to take on the undead and their Dark One servants, ready to step into the most powerful position a planet in the Intergalactic community has. A slow grin replaced his frown. “You’re right, mate. No one will be ready for us.”

Ashlyn saton the edge of her seat as Zade and C'Nar entered the arena. Zade radiated confidence. C’Nar practically slithered in, his eyes shifty and full of malice. She bit the inside of her lip as the arena floor began undulating. Sand rolled and churned beneath their feet, making the coming fight more treacherous.

She watched as Zade scanned the arena, only stopping when his gaze came to rest on her. She tingled with awareness as his molten eyes held hers captive. The determination and intensity of his stare burned deep into her soul. His message was clear; he was in the arena for her and her alone. He would fight for her. He was prepared to die for her.

He moved like a panther, each step radiating raw energy and predatory grace as he strode to the center of the arena, his focus on her unwavering.

She wanted to touch him; yearned to feel the heat of him pressing against her again, ached for his possession, his strokes deep and sure. The thought of being close to him sent flutters of anticipation pulsing through her. She shivered with awareness. Fear mixed with desire created a powerful aphrodisiac.OMG. Scared and turned on at the same time. What’s wrong with me? Zade could get killed out there and here I am practically salivating over him.

“C'Nar hasTandekblades,” Cam growled. The tension in his voice finally pulled her focus away from Zade. She watched anxiously as Cam turned slightly away and put his hand to his earpiece. Ashlyn couldn’t hear the conversation, but he didn’t look happy. Who was he talking to? Dagan? He and Sasha had stayed in their quarters. Sasha was tired and not feeling well.

Ashlyn clutched Rachel’s shoulder as her stomach plummeted. She didn’t care how it looked, or if anyone saw her panic. “What are ‘tan-deck’ blades?”

“I’m looking. Give me a sec..” Rachel typed in the query on the tablet she’d brought. “I’m glad we brought Cam’snanoprocessor. I’m not supposed to have access to any technology Earth hasn’t traded for, but you know me. I figure since we’re not on Earth right now, the rules don’t apply.”

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