Page 9 of All You Need is Alien Love
He considers this for a moment. “Iyarans don’t really have a tradition when it comes to honeymoons. It’s more of a custom among Earthlings. So I want to make it truly special foryou. I’ll enjoy it because you will, I promise.”
The look he’s giving me is so hopeful and earnest I can’t possibly say no.
No one can melt my heart like Kai Genaro.
“Okay, hubby-boo. I’ll leave the planning in your very capable hands—and tentacles.” I kiss his chin. “But if you need help, don’t hesitate to ask.”
His answering smile is so bright it’s almost blinding. “Thank you. I won’t let you down.”
It’s a small thing for him to ask and I’m happy to agree. After all, I’d give this man almost anything he could ever want from me, and I know he’d do the same. Soulmates for the win!
Besides, I’ll find my own way to pay him back for whatever awesome honeymoon he’s planning.
I’m a competitive romantic like that.
CHAPTER TWO
Vardox strode into the Hall of High Wolfham on Gamma Stella IV, armed and ready to fight to the death for his precious captain.
His new enemy—although not for long, Vardox would see to that—Khamos Atasham, a Katnu space pirate, marched toward him, his prisoners in tow.
Vardox was secretly relieved to see Starblade appeared to be unharmed and more than a little irate. He and his crew had been taken hostage when their ship was attacked and overtaken by the Katnu.
“The time has come, Lord Vardox,” Khamos hissed. “I intend to make your death long and torturous.”
Vardox yawned widely. “Oh, pardon me. I find your blathering so boring I can hardly stay awake.”
Khamos’s normally dark green skin turned almost black with rage. “Enjoy the final sight of your human captain. Once I’veslain you, I’ll make him my pet and remind him regularly that his fate is your fault.”
Vardox’s gaze turned icy even though his eyes glowed red. “I suggest you enjoy your final moments breathing. Before I’m done with you, you’ll be begging for death.” He grinned with enough malice that the Katnu pirate took an involuntary step back. “It’s been far too long since I had the opportunity to torture someone properly.”
There was no way Vardox would ever let harm come to his darling captain. He was actually quite looking forward to taking out some of his rage on this pathetic Katnu space pirate. He only hoped the fool didn’t die too fast. That would end Vardox’s fun far too soon. No, he looked forward to the sweet music of Khamos’s screams of pain and cries of agony that he intended to forcibly rip from his throat.
—The Tentacular Tales of Captain Starblade, Ch. 161
Kai
After the bestbirthday weekend of my life, we’re back at Alliance Headquarters—and forced to face the harsh reality of what we’re now up against.
This morning, all our key players are gathered in our most private conference room for a strategizing session.
My father clears his throat to get everyone’s attention. “Thank you all for being here this morning. Our fears about an invasion scenario have proven valid. The latest reports we’ve received from Intergalactic HQ indicate there’s evidence that a group of Layne Madison’s followers are mobilizing to head toward Earth as we speak.”
“It will likely take some time for them to coordinate their attack, but we need to be prepared,” my mother adds.
Agent Catengi, who has decided to stay on with us until this matter is safely resolved, chimes in. “My contacts at the Intergalactic Alliance are preparing a battalion to capture as many of these terrorists as possible. Our intel suggests they’ll arrive with a small fleet of larger vessels carrying support teams, but they will probably send scouting parties to the planet’s surface first.”
My dad nods, his expression dark. “As we predicted, he’s coming with a contingent of Vroknu warriors. They’ll be the ones we need to be most prepared for. However, most of the rest of Layne Madison’s so-called support appears to be a mix of interstellar mercenaries. Despite his grandiose posturing, when push came to shove, none of his other political allies wanted to get near the invasion of a planet with an official Alliance outpost.”
Zamir’s nostrils flare and he crosses his arms. “No doubt my father is front and center in that group of Vroknu warriors.”
I send him a supportive look of understanding. My hearts ache for this latest news about his worthless sperm-donor of a father.
Mom interjects. “With that limited kind of backup, Layne Madison will want to focus strategic attacks on our downtown headquarters and our Valley of Fire base. If they can usurp control of those locations, then they’ll have access to our weaponry as well as our computer system’s data that they can use to their advantage.”
My mother’s face becomes icy cold. “We can’t let that happen.”
“While Intergalactic Alliance HQ will be sending support to help us handle the larger vessels in orbit around the planet,we’re going to be taking down their front line of attack down here,” my dad adds.
