Page 30 of Princess for the Space Cowboy

My fear for Jane and for her safety runs deep, and my anger is a ball of cold fire inside.

Within minutes, Kayden meets me out front. I’m communicating with my father as we leave. “We are leaving to get her now.”

“Let me handle it,” he replies, his tone brooking no argument.

I know why he’s trying to insist on that. He wants to protect me, to protect our new union because we’re the next generation of leadership.

But this is Jane,myprincess. I cannot stay out of the fray. “Father, you can help, but I cannot stand back for Jane.”

I hear my father’s sharp inhalation. “Understood,” he replies. “We will meet you at the ship.”

In minutes, we have rendezvoused on the outer side of my home. The house I share with Jane is on the same property protected for our entire family. My parents live in another home nearby.

I glanced between Kayden and my father. “Who else shall we bring?”

“We have already sent out two teams ahead. They won’t be able to keep her. Do not worry,” my father says firmly.

Our local ships are much smaller than what we use to travel off the planet. They move swiftly.

Moments later, we are all on board. The pilot speeds across the planet until we hover over Silver, a town on the other side of the planet. This league descends from the French gardians, cowboys like us. Over time, we have had alliances that have ruptured and repaired. The latest leaders are restless after the storm. They did not choose to go to Earth and mate with more humans. They claim to be purists. I snort to myself as I consider the silly concept. Our species has intermingled with humans for centuries, strengthening our health mutually over the years.

That is why they keep fighting for power, for an alleged purity. We heard about it from Earth as well. That was part of the rupture for their people when the planet began to heat and some refused to make the choices necessary to take care of each other. On multiple planets in history, time and again, the cycles repeat. Some choose to expand and strengthen, whereas others try to build walls and weaken.

Our pilot hovers above, and I see two other ships in the sky above the shield for the city. It’s technologically weaker than ours. Despite the challenges on Earth, they have excellent technology and have protected their scientists for centuries. We have benefited from their knowledge, and they have benefited from ours.

While this current generation of gardians has closed out any new information and is relying on older technology.

“Find the weak spots,” I say.

My heart pounds, and my entire being aches for Jane.

“Through!” my father calls as we dive in formation to break through their shields.

It is quiet once we can see the town more clearly. I realize what they want. They want us to be vulnerable, to have to fight on their turf. I will do whatever is necessary to bring Jane back and know we can win.

We land, and my father looks over at me. “I want you to wait here,” he says.

Jane is afraid; I know she is. “I cannot allow Jane to be rescued by someone other than me.”

My father’s nostrils flare as he takes a breath, letting it out swiftly. I glance around as a team of elite soldiers steps out with us. It isn’t just men. Our women are just as strong and powerful.

My mother’s chin lifts as she approaches us. She is leading an elite team of young women trained to fight. “We will find Jane. That is how it will be,” my mother tells me.

I study her for a beat before replying, “I will go with you.”

My mother stares at me and dips her chin. A moment later, we are off, moving quickly through the darkness. I know this town and its landscape well. I have to. We were all of this planet. We slip through a copse of silvery trees. Our silver-gold moon lights the way.

Jane is the very beat of my heart. I want her safe. I want her back in my arms. The men who did this will pay.

Because of our infinity pulse, I know when we’re getting close to where she’s being held. I can feel her. The vibration echoes in my body. I lift a hand in the air, staying silent. We all stop.

I glance at my mother. “She’s there.” I point through the trees at a small square building in a ravine.

I hear it before we see them, but suddenly a group of soldiers is coming out to fight. My mother’s team of soldiers is ruthless. We don’t kill, though. Ever.

A blade drags down the side of my arm, yet my armor protects me. I ignore it, spinning to take down the man fighting. Moments later, we have them all subdued. My mother’s soldiersare binding their hands with our vibrating ropes and ties. Their leader, Honnell, wrestles against his hold, ashamed to be brought down by our female fighters. I don’t even bother to ask where Jane is being held. I keep following the vibration.

I leave my mother to interrogate him, while Kayden and others approach the small home with me. We dispatch the two guards swiftly. My heart aches as we walk into the building.

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