Page 51 of Chieftain
“If your friend is at the outpost, Nansar will resist any attempt at a visitation,” Khaion said, his tone now holding that sweetness that made my skin tingle.
"This is why the ruse is so perfect." Charick's eyes flashed over to Khaion's hand resting on my hip. His gaze narrowed minutely. While most of the crew were respectful, even happy, about the turn in Khaion and my relationship—Charick was not. And he wasn't subtle about his disapproval. "The ruse will playto his ego and reputation, as well as tempt him with a prize of our own."
From the low growl rumbling in Khaion’s throat, I didn’t have to guess theprize of our own. It was me. Despite how the idea made my stomach churn, I knew Charick's reputation for being an exceptional strategist, and I was curious.
“What’s your plan?” I asked, Khaion’s hand tightening on my waist.
Charick ran a hand through the top of his thick, bronze hair. Unlike Khaion, who wore his hair loose, the Sage preferred his hair plaited into a neat braid. His eyes flashed once to his Chieftain before centering on my face.
“I suggested we ask Nansar to look after you with the excuse we are in pursuit of a Trogvyk ship and do not wish to endanger you in battle. Khaion will carry you to the planet’s surface and meet with Nansar. Bartuk and I will hide on the shuttle and slip out to search for your friend. I have been to the villa before. I know the layout well enough that he and I should be able to move freely without detection. Once we find your friend, I will comm Khaion, and we will enact the right of Vaktaire rescue to take her from Nansar.”
I blinked, shocked by the simplicity and genius of the plan. “That’s a great idea.”
“It isnota good idea,” Khaion grated as an expression of smugness crept upon Charick’s face.
“Do you have a better one?” I challenged. Willa was my best friend. There was nothing I wouldn't do to find her.
“No, but I will not put you in danger to affect a rescue.” Khaion decreed.
Oh, he could just get right over that bossiness. “What danger? You’ll be by my side the whole time, right? Willa’s my friend. I want to help.”
"It's the only scenario I can imagine that will not raise Nansar's suspicions," Charick added. I wouldn't have believed it if you'd told me a week ago that Charick and I would agree on anything. But now, I met his gaze with a nod of solidarity and thanks.
“Think of something else,” Khaion snapped. “I will not put Emmy at risk.”
The hand at my waist tightened, but I stepped away from his grip to face him more fully. "What risk? If Nansar is as good a guy as you say, I shouldn't be in danger. Besides, how will you get Willa to come with you if I'm not there?"
"She has a translator like you. We can communicate with her," Khaion dismissed my argument with a wave.
Oh, Hell no!
"You think that will help?" I poked my finger into the center of his chest, a flash of anger swallowing good sense. Especially the good sense to remember how hard his chest muscles felt. It would arouse me any other time, but now I was too irked. “Willa did not have the good fortune to be rescued like I did. There’s no telling what she’s been through. She’ll be scared shitless, and Willa being scared makes her mean. She’ll fight you; she might even make a run for it. You need me there to show her everything’s all right. That you’re the heroes.”
Charick and Bartuk preened at the wordheroes.Khaion just glared at me.
“Human Emmy is right. Our interactions with the human Willa…” Charick began.
“I said no,” Khaion bit at his Sage. “I forbid Emmy from going to that moon.”
“You forbid me?” I choked out, a fissure of disbelief coupled with anger, which saw a rise in the rebellious spirit I’d tried to dampen all my life.
Charick took a full step back, realizing the mistake, even if Khaion didn’t.
“I want you safe.”
Khaion lifted a hand toward my face, but I smacked it away. “You forbid me?” I yelled, not caring if my voice carried through the entire ship. “Listen, buddy, I don’t know who the hell you think you are or what inane alien rules you’re playing by, but nobody forbids me from anything.” I poked him in the chest again, and the tip of my finger throbbed painfully in protest. “I didn’t take this shit from my ex, and I certainly won’t take it from you.” I whirled, facing Charick. “What time will we leave on the mission?”
Charick swallowed hard, the corners of his mouth twitching as he fought back a smile. “We will enter orbit around the largest Korfu moon in approximately eight of your Earth hours.”
“I’ll be ready,” I announced, spinning on my heel. From the corner of my eye, I caught Bartuk’s flabbergasted expression. I guess the Vaktaire weren’t big on challenging authority.
Khaion opened his mouth when my gaze landed on him again, but I summoned my bestgo-to-hellexpression and stomped toward the hallway. Even the command deck doorwhished open with a little more oomph, apparently not wanting to aggravate my already blazing temper.
The sound of Khaion’s footsteps following wasn’t surprising—I’d expected him to follow, but I wasnotbacking down. Not about this. We trod along in silence until reaching my—well, nowourcabin door.
“You are not going,” Khaion muttered as the panel slid, granting us access.
“Willa is my friend. I have every right to be on the mission that rescues her. Besides, Charick’s plan sounds solid,” I reasoned, still not turning to look at him. The clothes I’d worn last night lay in errant spots within the room, where the pieces landed as Khaion undressed me.
