Page 19 of Her Lawless Prince

“It’s like an escape pod that the main ship doesn’t know is there.” He sat on the platform and lifted the bread from his plate. “I hitched a ride with Syog traders. I detached as they were landing. I imagine it is the same way the mercenaries got on-world. Turn off the controls, free fall a little, and a ship is ignored as an atmospheric disturbance.”

“It sounds as if we need to update our planetary defenses.” Payton watched him try the food. Her eyes lingered on his mouth. “Why do you think they let you keep the wristband?”

“They don’t know what it is. To them it probably looks like clothing.” He showed her where he had taken the bite. Something had been baked into the bread. “You need to eat. They’re traveler pouches.”

She arched a brow.

“I learned about them from a New Earth woman I met in my travels,” he continued. “She would make it for her family for their holidays. It’s stuffed with meat and other things. Easy to carry.”

At his insistent look, Payton took a small bite. “It’s good.”

A loud bang sounded on the door.

Nyle frowned. “They want me back.”

“Why are they knocking? It’s not like we expect courtesy from them.” Payton gave a rueful laugh.

“They want my assurance that you’re in human form,” he said. “They’ve been told you almost ripped out Fuse’s throat.”

“If I wanted him dead, he would be,” Payton said. “Will you be close to a food simulator?”

He nodded. “Do you have a request?”

Payton took his food pouch from him, claiming it for her own. “Next time bring more. I’m not one of those delicate aliens who consumes tiny portions. Shifting burns energy.”

“Noted.” Nyle took a step toward the door and hesitated. He pointed at the clothes. “Put those on and come with me. I don’t want to leave you in here again.”

“They won’t like it.” Payton took a bigger bite before setting the pouches down. She grabbed the pants and shook them out before slipping them on. Var clothing had laces up the sides for easy removal, which also made them adjustable. These pants, not so much. They fit a little too snugly at the hips, and she wiggled back and forth trying to stretch them out.

Nyle turned his back when she pulled his shirt over her head. Payton suppressed her laugh. The sheer undershirt did little to hide her nudity, but the snug fit was a lot more comfortable. The vest zipped shut along the side and had a large brass buckle that strapped along her chest. The long, sheer sleeves were left to show.

“Much better than the compression suit, but still not optimal for shifting,” she said, tugging on boots.

He glanced over his shoulder. “I think that’s why they let me bring it.”

“Thank you for getting it for me.” She folded his shirt and placed it on the platform.

Nyle went to the door and lifted his hand. Payton went after him and caught it, stopping him before he could knock on the metal. Her fingers wrapped around his. Energy vibrated down her hand, a complete awareness of their touch.

“We can fight them,” she whispered.

“No. I’ve never flown a ship like this.”

“Yevgen can if you repair him. He can learn anything.”

“What if I can’t repair him?”

“This ship could remain on life support long enough to call for help. You know communications and such. We can find my brother. He’s with my mother’s old crew. Or we can notify the palace. They will come for us.” She didn’t let go of him.

He shook his head in denial. “No.”

“Yes,” she countered. His look didn’t change. “Why not?”

“These are trained fighters. There are too many of them. They have weapons. We’re in deep space. They might have friends close by. The Federation probably knows they have us.” The reasons rolled out of him.

“It’s better than being trapped and waiting. I need you to promise me that you’ll get Yevgen and his information back to my people if something happens to me. They need the evidence against General Sten to keep him off the planet and to free the Cysgodians from Federation rule.”

“I don’t want you hurt.” He guided her hand to his chest and held it against him. She felt the beat of his heart under her palm. The rhythm drummed faster than it should have.

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