Page 36 of Her Alien Prince
Their conversation buzzed in the back of my mind. Distraction was a dangerous pastime, but I hadn't processed what Loric said until he repeated it for me once more, bringing me back to reality, "Prince Trenton," he used my proper name and title, not even my warriors called me that, it was Commander to them, "I'll need your warship to help track down Luan, will you be assisting our efforts?"
I lifted a brow, considering what he was asking, but remembering what he had said earlier. "Am I not to stay out of this, as well? Or is it because Estreldez does not have ships capable of withstanding an attack from King Sylve?" I knew the estrelds only had transport ships, it's why all the trade was done at their moons and not elsewhere. If a planet wanted something from Estreldez it was facilitated by Krelis or independent traders willing to go the extra step to source goods.
Loric gritted his teeth, smiling tightly. He knew as well as I did, the only reason Estreldez maintained its independence from another planet taking over was because it had a superior natural defense system with the moons, harnessed by technology that could vaporize several ships and leave estrelds and the planet relatively unharmed. And even if someone, like King Sylve, were to risk a few ships, Krelis has been defending this sector as the primary trade partner for many cycles. Queen Kai knew it was an investment for Krelis whether she invaded Estreldez or continued to benefit from the resources and profits from them by using our own cargo ships.
But an all-out war with King Sylve would be devastating to Estreldez without Krelis warships at their disposal.
"Have you changed your mind about a diplomatic mating union between Estreldez and Krelis?" Loric skillfully placed the blame of whatever broken promises there were between our planets on me, instead of the runaway turned kidnapped future Almder, Luan. It was true, the promise was broken well before she left the planet when I took Mabel to a hidden oasis within the gardens, but he didn't know that.
"Not at all," I replied, unconcerned with his slight, and suddenly my tongue got away with me, planning out several steps ahead to have my mate finally accept our bond, starting with step one, "I fully intend to fulfill a mating bond between Estreldez and myself, and the command of the Krelis Horde will be at the service of protecting the sector as we always have."
"That's good to hear," Loric replied, but did not press the issue.
"You'll still mate with Luan..." Mabel stated quietly, and I did not correct her.
I had no intentions of mating with Luan, but I had every intention of having the current Almder agree to a match particularly phrased that she would think it was. She would be forced to accept the agreement when I chose another. When I chose Mabel. My mate was an analytical mind, she would not accept me if she thought it was better for me to be with someone else. She was a kind heart that would sacrifice what we have to protect the future of our planets.
My hearts were not so kind. And I had no intention of giving her up, but I would make sure the path was easier for her to come to me. Part of that path was the Almder's acceptance, even if I had to trick her to do it.
"I don't care if I must lie to your Almder, go to war with King Sylve to return Luan, and destroy my mother to clear away any objection you may have against being mine. But, there will always be obstacles and until you clear the one in your heart... I'll be right here waiting." I knew it was pointless to try to speak through our bond when I could feel the block between us, but I tried anyways. "Kansa... let me in."
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Mabel
WARMTH SPREAD THROUGHmy limbs, and I glanced over at Trent with his determined stride through the palace corridors. He was headed straight to the Almder to tell her of his plans. Plans to mate with Luan, I thought with irritation. Staring daggers at his firm ass, I resisted everything in me that wanted to yank on his arm, spin him around to face me, and demand that he explain himself. After what we shared in the gardens, and in the shuttle, I had developed hopes that shouldn't have been mine.
The first time was a mistake, the second time was because I lied to myself that it would mean nothing. Was there no longer a next time? I knew he had to be with Luan. I knew that in theory, but she left, and he still wanted to have her.
Loric opened the doors to the alcove, and Almder was pacing back and forth in her distress. Her crown was in her hands as she rubbed at the jewels embedded in its tarnpul surface, one for each of her lost offspring. I felt a pang of pity for her, before I remembered that she had planned to make me feel the same pain, while secretly having Elder Ezra use my eggs, my offspring, my family, in experiments.
I still cared for Luan, and I'd find a way to help her, but I felt nothing for whatever pain Almder was going through while worrying if she'd lose another daughter.
"Did you find her?" Almder asked Loric. Had she clung onto hope that Luan didn't make it to the ship that disappeared?
"There is a team still searching, just in case, but there is no evidence that she returned from the transport pod, and it is likely Luan has fallen into a trap set by King Sylve."
Almder replaced her crown on her head, and with a nod, she accepted this information, a steely resolve on her face. "Prince Trenton of Krelis, what have you to say on the matter?" Her voice was cold, and for a moment I thought she would blame Trent for Luan's disappearance, when it was me who did not inform Almder about Luan's plans sooner.
"That is what I wished to discuss with you, Almder of Estreldez," he remained calm, and dignified in his reply, bordering on aloof, "I will retrieve my mate and bring her back to Krelis with me for a proper Kloaph Rite Ceremony. You will have the full support of the Krelis Horde's warships to ensure the safe return of Luan. All I need is your approval to proceed, bound by your blood."
"You are aware my stipulations remain the same, Prince Trenton. She must choose you in return, I will not force her to be your mate, even for the sake of peace between our planets."
My chest tightened at Almder's reply because it was exactly what I would expect from her. She defended Luan's right to choose and knowing that she would defy all logic for one estreld's happiness was exactly why I loved her, because she loved so fully, and that extended to all estrelds. That's why she had advisors to help make sure she considered beyond her feelings, but for the future of the planet as well. My heart broke hearing what I loved about the woman I considered as close as a mother for so many years protect Luan, and not hours before she didn’t do the same when it mattered most… for me.
Tears stung my eyes as I watched my Almder from behind Trent's imposing form. I knew I hid behind him, because I did not wish to bring attention to myself. I didn't want to confront my feelings over her betrayal just yet. She wished to remove my eggs, without true consent for why she was doing it. It was all a lie, when she stood there now, as she was two days ago telling me about how she knew how I felt having lost her own offspring.
What other lies was she capable of?
Fists clenched at my sides, and nails dug painfully into my palms.
Trent replied, "I will not force my mate to accept me, if that is your concern. I'm sure you've heard many things about krelins, but I am not my ancestors, and I will not abduct her."
I chewed the inside of my cheek, feeling affronted on all sides. The man who defended me on more than one occasion in but a few days stood before my betrayer speaking of being gentlemanly for another mate. Everything in me wished to flee the alcove and retreat, but despite the hurt reverberating through my very bones she was still my Almder, and I knew before I gave myself to Trent that he would not be mine.
Almder addressed Loric next, "Knowing the Prince of Krelis chooses to mate with Luan, do you still offer to be sired?"
Having it said so clearly of his intentions stung more than I thought it would, even with preparing myself to hear it, to see it, to live it.
