Page 47 of Tricked By the Alien Prince

“Well, clearly I’m going to trade with everyone!” Melvall replies, looking affronted, voice echoing around the room.

“He’s not mentioning the dozen of pelts I’ve brought him that he’s refusing to trade to anyone,” Zoran comments, giving me a conspiratorial grin.

“Stop bringing me pelts!” Melvall points at Zoran, not missing a beat. He spins to face us. “Also, why do you keep bringing me pelts? You’d think ten would be more than enough, but no...”

“Pelts? Why would anyone want pelts?” Volan asks, frowning perhaps as much as I am.

“Because winter is coming! Unlike you Sulthari, hiding beneath the ground, it’s going to get cold. Trust me, he’ll be thanking me for the extra insulation,” Zoran waves toward Melvall, singling him out in the conversation. Then he says in a low voice, much like how he spoke to me, as if the male isn’t there listening in, “Did you know he is insane enough to swim when the water ices over?”

Is everyone here buddies? Like they act as if they’ve never met each other, but they are so quick to banter and toss insults…

“You are all insane!” I exclaim. “And I don’t have time for this. Seriously. I have to get back home. I have to...”

Do what?

It suddenly occurs to me that I can’t trust anyone. Not a single person.

I have to tell everyone about this place, about Walter and the corrupted council members… but how? Who will listen to me and not just think me some raving lunatic?

I could go to Commander Davis, the man responsible for our security, but how can I be certain he won’t just arrest me on sight? He ordered our colony’s walls to be built—evidence suggests he knows something about the supposedly non-existent aliens living on Atraxis. Besides, I somewhat was just caught in a restricted area and complicit in beating up some guards.

And then I ran off into the wilderness, with a prince...

“Oh, this is such a mess,” I rub my face. I feel so worn out. I hadn’t even realized how exhausted, both mentally and physically I was until I opened up to Volan. Tears prickle, but I refuse to cry again. Not for him. Not for any male. Time and time again they’ve used me and abused me.

I’d planned to go on this adventure alone, and I will end it on my own. After all, I’m always alone. It’s not safe to rely on anyone else. Not even my friends, apparently. Definitely not lovers.

I nod to myself, determination settling in. Now is the time to figure out my next steps. I’ve got the data I need. I’ll sort through it on the trip home, taking the travel time to figure out exactly how I’ll approach the colony and what I’ll say to them. My argument will be bulletproof. In one fell swoop, I’ll take down each of our corrupt leaders.

I turn to leave, just in time to see several glowing bodies burst into the room. Grey-skinned Sulthari dash inside. They quickly block the exit and fan out to surround us. They aren’t playing around; these are trained warriors. Their weapons glow too, crackling with energy that looks all too reminiscent of lightning. If I’m lucky, one hit will only stun me, perhaps knock me unconscious. However, given that the lightning is attached to long swords and spears… I’m guessing the point of them is to very much kill.

Great. Just great. I come to an alien planet for a fresh start, and instead of getting the standard welcome basket, I get alien cockroaches, betrayal, and now a bunch of glowing warriors with pointy sticks. Maybe next time I’ll just ask for a gift card instead.

To think I was worried about getting arrested when I returned to the colony. Right now, I should be worried about getting killed.

ChapterTwenty-Seven

MAYA

The five sulthari warriors surround us. There’s nothing else you could call them really—dressed to the nines in a mixture of metal and leather armor, wielding very deadly weapons, and looking even more serious… It’s not like they are going to some fancy-dress office party that I missed the memo for.

“Stand down,” Volan commands. The words echo off metal walls, firm and unyielding. The first warrior hesitates, spear wavering. Multiple luminae pulse rapidly, betraying everyone’s uncertainty.

Volan’s lips stretch in an attempt at a reassuring smile, though tension lingers in the way his shoulders remain stiff.

“Honestly, Tanis, there is no need for this,” Volan says. “These are my guests. There’s no need for weapons.”

One of the warriors—Tanis, apparently—shoots Volan an uncertain look, his eyes flickering between each of the males that have positioned themselves in front of me like living shields. Finally, his gaze settles on me, and he blinks as if seeing me for the first time.

“We received your message this morning, as requested,” Tanis confirms, his voice careful. “The King has been informed of your return and awaits you.”

The blood drains from my face. Message? This morning? My stomach twists into knots. The pieces suddenly click into place—this morning when I woke briefly to find him gone—he must have sent word ahead.

Every confident step through these tunnels, every moment he seemed to know exactly where we we’re going, and now the convenient appearance of these warriors—he was leading me straight into a trap.

“You...you did this?” I whisper, the betrayal stealing my breath. “You sent for them while I was sleeping?”

Volan’s luminae flickers, and for a moment, I see something that looks like guilt cross his face before he masks it.

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