Page 65 of Courting Mayhem

“Wuss,”I yelled.

Poppa Jacob trotted after him. “I better check on our prisoner.”

“You’re a wuss too.”

“And not ashamed to admit it.”

Zosia waved a tentacle at me. “I’d better see what she wants.” I handed Derek Defne and flicked an insect off his armor. “You’re going to need to sterilize your armor. I think you picked up some cooties.”

“You’re a real riot and you’re as big a wuss as your dads,” Derek groused.

“Me? You’re the one wearing armor and breathing purified air.” I hurried over to Zosia and Qa’a and gave a slight bow. “It was an honor to observe your Katb Al-Kitaab ceremony.”

“Once we have brought the traitors to justice and retrieved the Shebu, we will throw a celebration. You and your family will attend,”Zosia announced.

“We would be delighted.”

“Prepare for battle. Sariel’s and Zarek’s ships have created a barricade around Gliese. No Rodan spaceships will be permitted to enter or leave. Zarek also received intel that Mallox will attend the auction,” Qa’a stated.

“That murdering bastard is a dead man,”I growled.

Qa’a suddenly wrapped a tentacle around my neck.“Mallox is mine to kill.”He gave me a gentle shake.“Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Supreme Leader.”I winced. My voice had come out as a mousy squeak.

Derek stormed up. “What’s going on?”

“Qa’a wanted to make sure we knew that he is the only one allowed to kill Mallox,”I said hurriedly.

“As Qa’a’s family was harmed, he is entitled to the Rite of Korowai. I will not interfere with his vengeance.”Derek gave a slight bow and stepped back.

Relief flooded me. Thank the Goddess. The last thing we needed was for Derek to get eaten again.

“Remove your armor, War Commander,”Qa’a ordered.

I patted Derek’s arm. “Now comes the fun part. Do you think your tattoos will match mine?”

“They should.” He handed me Defne and retracted his armor.

My eyebrows shot up in surprise and I bit my lower lip to keep from grinning. He was wearing red plaid boxer shorts. “Something you want to tell me?”

“It’s a family thing.”

“Oh?”

“They’re made from the tartan plaid of my Scottish Highlander clan,” Derek explained.

Would I be considered a hussy if I asked him to take them off?

Qa’a and Zosia wrapped their tentacles around Derek’s body and in unison they asked, “Are you prepared to wear our marks?”

Derek assumed his war commander demeanor. “I am.”

Their tentacles emitted a faint green glow.

Every muscle in Derek’s body tensed.

The glow grew brighter and brighter.

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