Page 18 of The Omega's Unexpected Bounty
“Yes, and it’s how you came here. It wasn’t with Peter, but with that lawman on New Texas.”
“Enough,” I said while I fought the rising gooseflesh. “I rescued you. If it wasn’t for me, you would still be there. You have a bodyguard and a kingdom to explore. As they say on my home planet, ‘don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.’”
For the barest of heartbeats, I thought I saw him smile. “It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten anything from Earth, even a saying. It’s nice to hear.” With that, he turned and looked up into Kala’s black eyes. “Looks like it’s you and me. What do you fish people do around here for fun?”
The conversation died out, and I looked at Graden’s thoughtful expression. “Come.” I heard nothing, but it felt like he added ‘My Mate’ in his mind.
“Where do these steps go down to?”
“My living area, although, I suppose you could say your home. Per the Scrolls, what I have is yours and mine. You should see what you possess.”
He stepped down first, and I followed. Far down at the end, blue light flickered softly. In the semi-darkness, he spoke softly. “We don’thaveto be antagonistic to one another.”
“You want us to get along?” I asked. “Lose the snotty attitude.”
His face blanched. “I’ve said nothing offensive.”
I took another step down. “It’s what youhaven’tsaid. I’ve killed Volardi your empire didn’t want in the first place, and now I’m paying for it? You’re using me.”
“I offered you an option and provided adequate compensation.”
“You talk like you’re hiring someone. Hell, it’s worse than that. You got me as your slave for a year.”
His voice rose. “For what we’ve given, a year is fair.”
“That’s exactly it,” I said. “You help somebody when they got no other options, and you think the galaxy owes you. Do you know how many I helped on New Texas because it was the decent thing to do? I could have asked them for ‘adequate compensation,’ but didn’t.”
“Yet, you take credits when offered,bounty hunter.”
“It’s offered before they know I exist.”
“We have a saying,” he said. “We want a drink of the water. If two people are thirsty and cannot drink because the bottle is poisoned, both will die. After we purify the liquid, we take a portion and leave the rest. Both have a greater amount than before. Why does this make us villains? The Gloom would kill you and eat you. In that order if you are fortunate. Other races would subjugate you and make you literal slaves. We help and expect it in return.”
We both shut up and stepped off the bottom step into his bedroom. Since he was royalty, I expected something gaudy and had overt signs of wealth with jewels and precious metals. It was big, yet simple. A long and wide bed draped with green sheets shimmered with light from the transparent overhead dome. Through the material, I saw colorful coral and aquatic life that looked like seaweed, but the implant told me were animals. Others were jelly-like, vibrating blocks. I saw plenty of things I could only call fish dart back and forth.
“Caan? We were talking about how horrible my people are. Did you want to skip that and gaze at your new Volardi home?”
I smiled at his ribbing. We swam in ponds back home, and it was fun enough. I thought being in a bubble like this would make me feel claustrophobic, but it was anything but. Almost like being wrapped up in something I couldn’t figure out yet.
“Earlier,” he said, “we talked about how others didn’t know you existed.” He folded his arms, and in my side vision, I saw his tanned chest muscles protrude out. I kept my face neutral, but my heart pounded. I took suppressants back on the ship, but whatever issues I had about the Volardi didn’t mean they weren’t a handsome people. It took a while to figure out which sex I preferred in a galaxy with several. There were women back in new Texas, and they were always pleasant enough, but my looks lingered longer when it was a good-looking guy in denim.
“It would be unfortunate to merely exist with each other. We can be civil,” he said.
“Earlier, I killed two Volardi, and your men were ready to kill me. I think we’re civil.”
“Then friendlier. We must give the appearance of being mates.” His lips curled into a soft smile. “There is an island where it’s traditional to take one’s mate. Would you like to visit?”
Staying in a bedroom had implications, and that wouldn’t be the worst thing, but I didn’t sign up for real.
I said yes and then realized ‘take’ could mean different things.
***
I made sure Tiny was okay but kept him off. For everything that happened, he deserved to hear it from me. Although, I didn’t want to face him beforethis. I needed to go to the island, but I didn’t know why. There were plenty of good guesses and some embarrassing.Maybe I want to see what he’s about?
We didn’t come to blows yet, and this is what it felt like. Those few seconds when you’re staring at the other man and trying to figure what he’ll do.Is that it?There wasn’t much he couldn’t. I might be from New Texas, but I knew power when I saw it. It was in his stance as he piloted the ship with smooth, crisp movements as if he expected the world to bend to his will. I couldn’t blame him for the attitude. I’m sure for years that’s what happened.
The silver, bubble-shaped craft approached the island in the middle of several other islands laid out into a circle. I had a few seconds to enjoy the high view before the ship pushed into the white sand with a soft jolt.
