Page 29 of Jewel of the Alien Bandit
Then I thought about his words. King, and murder. What went wrong?
“Carmen?” I questioned, worried for him.
“She’s detained,” his voice was reassuring, and less gruff than normal, “but we can’t take you back to Estreldez to heal without running into the krelins, and you have a diplomatic meeting with King Sylve of Necias.”
I practically flung myself from his arms right then. No one had a ‘treaty’ with Necias. They were bullies that took what they wanted and had ‘agreements’ in place that benefited their blackmarket trade. A treaty with them was just an understanding that you worked for them, and they owned you.
What diplomatic meeting could I have with the king that would result in anything but blackmailing my mother to hand over the freedom of the clan, enslave my people, and steal our jewels?
“Calm down.” Vareo adjusted his hold on me, and I cried out from the sharp jabs within my back loh as I moved.
He could shut the fuck up with his calm down.
He whispered, “We are boarded by the Viper Rual, the king's personal warship. You will meet with him and discuss diplomacy.”
The other man was listening, I doubted Vareo’s whisper went unheard.
That was who Carmen was in contact with, and where we ended up outside of the warp. I thought we’d have more time to get lost into the fray of the outlaw planet to hunt for information before necia tried to intervene.
“She doesn’t seem ‘willing’ like you claim.”
I stilled, trying to ignore the raw pain surging through my body, making my eyes water.
“She’s in shock, and you would rescind your willingness to meet if you were attacked after boarding.”
The man seemed to be placated by this explanation, and gave a curt nod as we walked. Vareo’s strides were becoming more brisk and hurried as we went, making the journey more uncomfortable but also stirring concern about how he felt my health was doing.
Was I going to be okay?
I’d never been away from the moons when I needed to heal before.
I couldn’t die like this.
I had to help my clan.
Gripping Vareo’s collar I rasped out, “Comm the king.” I was worried I wouldn’t have much time to bargain with him.
If anything, me dying would only help negotiations with him. All I had to do was convince him that I could ensure my mother wouldn’t call for war upon hearing of my death.
I could give him that, if he gave my planet peace, and the technology they stole from the scientist and their location.
“What are you talking about?” he hissed between his teeth. “You are going straight into the new med pod.”
Glaring at him I repeated with all the authority I could muster while being held like a babe. “Contact the king, now.”
They both exchanged a concerned look before the slender man tapped his wrist comm, but they both kept moving.
“Xan,” was all the king said through the link in a demanding tone.
“My king, you told me not to bother you unless the jewel was awake.”
“So, she’s recovered?”
“Not exactly.”
“Do you value your life?” He said almost too sweetly for threatening his man.
Without another word he angled his wrist in my direction, and then a screen projected of the king’s face. He was younger than I had thought he would be. Toned, and chiseled features with perfectly groomed brown hair. His green eyes lit up upon seeing me before narrowing.
