Page 48 of Jewel of the Alien Bandit
“Estrelds are free to choose whatever profession they want,” I defended resolutely.
The guard lifted a curious brow as if in defiance of my statement. “So, you are to tell me that how many loh your spawn are born with does not dictate what options are available to them?”
I frowned at her accusation, but I couldn’t outright deny it either. Those with more loh are seen to be blessed by the moons, and have more radiation absorption, making them ideal for different tasks.
“Do you not have spawn with less loh managing the mines and doing ‘menial’ tasks?” she pressed further making me scowl, only for her to continue, “Are they included in the mating games, or are they deemed unworthy of being spawn makers?”
Snapping back, both guards stilled at my outburst, “You know nothing of my people! You see your data sheets about my planet and you think we are anything like Lord Zorn, you are wrong. I have seen the miners, took part in their jobs and shared meals with the Hergslats while they roam. Our females are not broodmares, and none are forced to participate in the mating ceremony…” my voice dropped at that last declaration, as for most of our people, they are free to choose, but I was not.
Understanding crossed the guard’s faces and they gratefully said nothing to the tears threatening to draw from my eyes. I had spoken with many of the estreld females who were ready for mating, and all of them were nothing but excited to participate. All except for me, and I was the one with no choice to join, as I was to be Almder one day, and it was my job to lead by example. Though we did not force estrelds into any position, many knew what was at stake should they decline to be scientists, or… broodmares. The survival of our species.
Was that any kind of freedom at all?
I sulked alongside the ‘slaves’ that I might have misjudged as they might be more free than I, or my people, ever were. What kind of Almder would I be not to encourage the things that would help us flourish, help our spawn rates, our food imports? What kind of Almder would I be if I didn’t?
“State your business,” the guard that glared at me from before halted our progress. Her scowl, ever the present reminder that she’d kill me if she thought I was a risk to her Lord Zorn.
“Commander Pri-Re, we found this one wandering the halls and believe her royalness could help encourage support for LordZorn’s new initiatives.” She bowed slightly and then stood at attention.
“In requiem is the voice heard in the darkness, at ease,” Pri-Re pounded her forehead with her fist and I winced. Her attention went to me. “Future Almder of Estreldez, our Lord Zorn will speak with you.”
“Luan?” Vareo’s voice flooded my ears from within and I walked past them both to see him.
“Expecting me to stay locked up, were you?” I brushed back the moisture from my eyes not wishing for him to see the weakness I had almost shown the guards in the hall. My voice was hard, the betrayal burning up my throat.
“You needed an army,” he stated simply, like that explained everything.
I glared at him, waiting for more.
He cleared his throat, and it was Lord Zorn that answered beside him, “All of Zorn is at your service, and you’ll be pleased to know that the fleets are willing and uncoerced into their efforts to protect Estreldez from King Sylve or any political arrangements with the Krelins.”
That didn’t make any sense. There was a price to be paid simply to convince Lord Zorn to give Vareo an anti-nanobug serum, let alone a fleet of warriors at Estreldez’s disposal. I narrowed my eyes at the tall, confident Lord Zorn with his braids dangling with bones about this exposed chest. Those mischievous eyes twinkled in return.
“You’re joining this war?” I asked incredulously at this turn of events. What exactly did Vareo say to him? And why did he do this on his own? Was this another betrayal, a trap?
It was Vareo that answered this time, but he walked towards me extending his hand, “You stood in this very spot, defiance on your tongue, seeking to battle whoever would come should they seek to retrieve me from your planet upon our return. Yousaid with a fierceness I keep replaying in my mind, you are not powerless to defend against threats against us. We were an ‘us’ before you had ever labeled that which stirs inside. To repeat your wise words, me staying out of it doesn’t do either of us any good.”
His hand reached my cheek and cupped it gently as he forced me to look him in the eyes.
“I meant that you shouldn’t be making deals with slave traders when we would figure things out when we got to Estreldez. My planet is not defenseless, and doesn’t make deals with—”
Vareo lifted my chin up, and stilled my breath with his nose trailing from my forehead down the bridge of my nose to reach my lips as his mouth crashed into mine. Uncaring of our audience the pressure between us built up until his tongue sought refuge within to taste more of me.
Sensing the heat of need pulsing from his skin made my eyes grow wide at the realization that he was once again producing radiation that my loh responded to the more his mating runes glowed a bright blue, illuminating the room in a haze. My back loh pulsed until they grew, bursting in diamond-like wings behind my back as he deepened the kiss further.
I bit his lip, tasting the tang of iron in his blood, but he did not flinch from me. Nothing but a low possessive growl tore through his throat encouraging the untamed want within me to take what I desired. And I desired him.
He hadn’t betrayed me, but somehow gained the army of the Lord Zorn to help my planet, and all I had done was doubt him. Guilt made me pull back from him, panting, but his arm grabbed my waist and tightened his hold on me, making my thighs press together to ease the throbbing at my core from being denied finishing what we had started earlier in our room.
Vareo whispered deep and husky into my ear, “I will not be kept away from you, My Sun. Tell me that I am yours and you may have me.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Luan
MY THROAT WASdry, and my lips ached to have his mouth on me again. He was agreeing to stay with me despite what may come for us when we reached Estreldez. I couldn’t deny that in the moments I had resigned myself to letting him go, my whole body had wilted in pain. Could I have this one truth? Was I allowed this one pleasure?
I nodded up at him, lacing my hand behind his neck and he flinched. making me pause before his eyes warmed and he pulled me into his arms before I could change my mind about what I was agreeing to.
